USA Survives Lihuania 99-94 in Pool Play

[apollo]

James 20 pts pulled it out in the end, poor USA Pick n Roll Defense.

[jtjrmoney8]

Where is Lithuania again? I never even heard of any of their players..I don't think they have a single player thats in the NBA..

[apollo]

It is a Baltic State.

[richsapper]

Just goes to show this team is cocky and feels like they are invincible. It also shows the state of the NBA. These should be the best players in the world and that is not always the case. I wish that Olympic basketball would do what soccer does and require it to be U23 with limited players over 23. It would make it more interesting, that is for sure.

As for Lithuania, it is Northeast of Poland, north of Belarus, souht of Latvia, and part of it's western border is on the Baltic Sea. It was part of the Soviet Union at one point and, if I recall correctly, was the first or second country to declare it's independance of the USSR.

The basketball in Lithuania is outstanding. the men's national team is ranked 5th in the world at the moment. The have won a few bronze medals in the Olympics, and have been one of the top national reams in Europe. Two of their players: Jonas Valančiūnas and Linas Kleiza both play for the Raptors in the NBA. The others are pro players in Europe (Italy, Greece, Lithuania of course, Spain, Latvia and Russia, I think). Pro basketball in Europe is pretty high level, and players there can make great money. Not NBA superstar money, but better than average NBA salary money.

That said (and I will get beat up for saying this) but I hope the US wins medals in every sport BUT men's basketball. The collection of players and the arrogance on this team needs to be knocked down a few steps. I understand that the women's team is even more of a favorite, but I would like to see them win. They like to play as a team and do not have the NBA egos that go with it.

[indianbacker]

richsapper: I agree. I do not like the attitudes of todays players.