USA Basketball
- Thread starter youngman42
- Start date
Earlier Michael Kay and his sidekick on the YES network here in New York were laughing at the prospect of garbage like Harrison Barnes getting huge money and saying that the this shows how messed up the NBA is. Said the 76ers will probably pay him an asinine amount of money because they are way below the minimum that has to be paid by teams. He is nothing. Garbage.
I wouldn't classify harrison barnes as garbage. He serves his purpose and may get better as his career goes on. It took JJ a little while. My beef with barnes is what it's always been and that's how he treated Duke and Coach K. If it had been me instead of Coach K there is no way barnes would be on the team but that is why Coach K is the G.O.A.T and why I have no business ever questioning anything he decides to do. I do think they are players more deserving than he although I'm not at liberty to name them because many have turned down the opportunity because of personal reasons including the virus which I understand. The Olympics aren't what they once were for sure but you better believe I will watch them and cheer for my country and that includes supporting my fellow countryman harrison barnes. OFC
With Barnes getting an invite, you have to assume that several other guys said no beyond the ones that are known. I don't imagine they would ask Barnes before asking guys like Faried and Rudy Gay, because both of those guys played (and played well) on the 2014 World Cup team. Those guys have equity in the USA program, and their NBA production hasn't waned. Then there are several others who are seemingly better choices who, like Barnes, haven't played in an international competition. It stinks that so many guys have opted out, even with the concerns about the host venue.
Even with the opt-outs, there are some exciting players there and I look forward to watching as usual. If you can put out a unit with guys like Irving, Durant, and George, I am all-in on that.
Even with the opt-outs, there are some exciting players there and I look forward to watching as usual. If you can put out a unit with guys like Irving, Durant, and George, I am all-in on that.
Barnes had a terrible finals. Really a terrible last 3 games. Let's be honest, Kyrie (although he put up good box score numbers) didn't play well the first 3 games and was getting destroyed in the media for being selfish. Luckily for him, and unlucky for Barnes...golden state couldn't close it out in 5.
As for the Olympics...this team won't be able to play 12 guys equal minutes and succeed. I expect Barnes will see limited time in big games and a few others will have the same experience.
As for the Olympics...this team won't be able to play 12 guys equal minutes and succeed. I expect Barnes will see limited time in big games and a few others will have the same experience.
First off, I don't get Barnes at all, unless a boatload of guys we don't know about turned it down. Second, I don't get not having a 3rd center. Barnes aside, only having 2 centers is a bit risky. Any injuries and or foul trouble could quickly become a problem. I could see only 2 centers if Lebron were playing. If the 12th guy is unlikely to get serious minutes, I would have gone for insurance at the center position when the roster already has a ton of depth and versatility at the forward position.
On only having 2 centers... maybe Draymond Green can play there in a pinch.
On Barnes... he does know his role. He does have experience deferring for the good of the team. He is long and can shoot 3s. He is fairly versatile. Kyrie and Lowry are the only guys on the roster shorter than 6'7", so maybe his length plus his range were big factors.
More concerning to me is having just 2 PGs. Do DeRozan, Butler, George, and Green have enough of a handle to take some of the load off Kyrie and Lowery?
I agree. And Draymond is LeBron lite in terms of overall game, so KI will be able to play his game and not worry about being a distributor. I think people are going to get to see who DeMar DeRozan truly is in these Olympics. The kid can flat out play. Jimmy Butler should shine in K's system as well.
I guess everyone has an opinion.
https://theringer.com/the-harrison-...-crazy-it-makes-sense-7c14ee415a41#.n8dqu3oai
"Here’s the case: Barnes would get to be the new face of the franchise. He wouldn’t just be paid, he would be valued — treated as an essential part of a team, not just a supporting player. He would be able to take the pressure off of the Sixers’ younger players like Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons. He would immediately be the best basketball player, right now, and the no. 1 option on that team. His numbers would inevitably jump, and he’d quickly enter the conversation for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. It wouldn’t even be a drastic system change for Barnes, as Sixers coach Brett Brown and Warriors coach Steve Kerr both employ pass-and-move principles learned from San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich. Everything about it makes sense."
"Barnes is also a savvy, media-friendly personality. In high school and college he was critiqued for his Brand Barnes behavior, but he’s actually one of the more thoughtful players you will come across, and he will be an ambassador for any team and any city."
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/new...en-spots-brazil-rio/lt7xgn41csye1ik7awjr6kplu
"Plus, while Harrison might not have proven reliable when the Warriors really needed him, he's not a bad 11th or 12th option. Just a couple weeks ago, Golden State brass was convinced he was investing $20 million a year into. It also won't hurt to have a guy who won't have a problem checking his ego at the door and accepting whatever playing time he's afforded without griping on a squad full of alpha males."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-accepts-invite-to-play-in-rio-2016-olympics
"Barnes' track record at Golden State is a strong indication that this moment won't be too overwhelming for him. His ability to shoot and play defense is going to make him a favorite of Coach K when play begins in August."
I think this assumes Gay wanted to be there. He may have, I don't follow it that much.
If all of these guys are opting out, I chuckle at the irony. When USA was killing it, we claimed our recruitment was lacking. Now that Duke is killing it, the Team USA recruitment is hurt a little.
It's the circle of life, haha.
ESPN is the end all be all for you? Funny how that wasn't the sentiment when they weren't buying into all the Dan Kane/N&O UNC witch hunt garbage.
Bad example. John Skipper , as we all know by now , is the CEO of the "worldwide leader." He's also a unx alum. So is Bob Lee and Lee has stated a number of times that Skipper is a "carolina way" disciple. This has nuthin' to do with Lee but here's a pic and an excerpt from an old interview with JS...
Anyway , no need to derail this thread but let's face it. Skipper's ESPN gave unx the kid glove treatment and that was no accident. It was by design.. Is what it is. Back on topic...while I enjoy takin' shots at Prince Harry , it's obvious the kid can play. However , he's not as good as he thinks he is and if he is , he sure hasn't shown it yet. What seems obvious ( so far anyway ) is that he's a bit of a front-runner. He'll produce when the 1st and 2nd ( and/or 3rd ) options are killin' it. But if the others are struggling and his team needs 'im to step up in their absence , well , he tends to disappear. Easy to show out when there's no pressure. Can he do it when a team pays 'im to be the 1st or 2nd option? Maybe. Haven't seen it yet though.
Wow, the "Skipper" truly OD'ed on the Kool-Ade didnt he???!! Smh....I bet now folks like Skipper, etc who made such a big deal of the "Carolina Way" are truly ashamed and feel somewhat "Cheated." (Ooops, pun not intended, lulz!!)
OFC
OFC
Bob Lee? The Bob Lee? Well,... if Bob Lee said it, I'll take it as gospel. Because I have great admiration for attention seeking internet bloggers that don't know anymore than the average Joe yet profess their opinions so angry people can latch onto them as if they were spoken from the mouth of God.
BTW, the score of your poasting since I've been keeping track is:
poasts about UNC - 9
poasts about duke - 4
