Anyone else thrilled the "dream team" lost?

[troutman]

I still think there is a HUGE gap between the best American players and the rest of the world. If the US sent some outside shooters it would have been a cake-walk. Next time the US won't mess around, and will send the right kind of players for the int'l game.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally posted by troutman@Aug 28 2004, 10:18 AM
I still think there is a HUGE gap between the best American players and the rest of the world. If the US sent some outside shooters it would have been a cake-walk. Next time the US won't mess around, and will send the right kind of players for the int'l game.

Exactly.

Just after Canada lost the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, we realized that we cant just send the best players, but the best team. Hence the Drapers, and Maltbys that we see today.

If they wanted a shooter, god knows why Reggie Miller is not on that team.

This was the one sport that I thought no one would ever beat the US in. Good to see another country beat them though, even though it wasnt the Americans best team, or best group of players.

[Cowboy]

Originally posted by the_only_turek_fan+Aug 28 2004, 02:40 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (the_only_turek_fan @ Aug 28 2004, 02:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-troutman@Aug 28 2004, 10:18 AM
I still think there is a HUGE gap between the best American players and the rest of the world. If the US sent some outside shooters it would have been a cake-walk. Next time the US won't mess around, and will send the right kind of players for the int'l game.

Exactly.

Just after Canada lost the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, we realized that we cant just send the best players, but the best team. Hence the Drapers, and Maltbys that we see today.

If they wanted a shooter, god knows why Reggie Miller is not on that team.

This was the one sport that I thought no one would ever beat the US in. Good to see another country beat them though, even though it wasnt the Americans best team, or best group of players. [/b][/quote]
Actually TOTF, Gretzky said the exact opposite, he said he would send the best player in the world to the Olympics because they could play any position (It just so happens the best of Canada do play great all round hockey) Sather in 1996 picked the role players such as Rob Zamuner.

The World Cup of Hockey is completely different because it is not played on International ice surface. Maltby and Drapers line is great for NHL ice but not for the bigger ice surface.

[Coolsurfer79]

Originally posted by InSutterWeTrust+Aug 27 2004, 09:11 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (InSutterWeTrust @ Aug 27 2004, 09:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Are you kidding? The team they had should have been able to sleep walk its way to the gold medal. They still had miles more talent than any team there. Part of being the best is wanting it the most...they didn't and they are no longer the best.

I agree they should have easily gotten to the Gold medal game. But after watching a few games of the U.S there were too many "Cocky" guys trying to do everything themselves. Iverson for one, how times did I see him get the ball and go right to the net, on the other side Argentina they played as a team, they actually passed the ball quite a bit, to try and set up players. Im glad those players got what they deserve. [/b][/quote]
Here's a good article on Allen Iverson at the Olympics.
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer04/bas...tory?id=1870490

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by moon@Aug 28 2004, 09:14 AM
Hard to blame guys like Shaq, McGrady and Wallace who didn;t go over because of concerns about their safety.

Prior to teh Olympics there were legitimate concerns about Greeces ability to provide adequate security. We have seen so far that they have been able to do so but if there was any conern about safety then I can understand that they might not want to go.

I actually thought that fear was a pretty weak excuse. If the Olympic Games was something you truly thought was the crowning accomplishment of your career, you'd still go despite the fears. It's pretty obvious that for some pro players they really think representing your country is more of an exhibition game than anything else.