Olympic Bball Thread

[FNG]

USA with a 28 point win over Argentina. And for all you Zach LaVine haters out there, he was a +26...TAKE THAT!!!!!!!

Our future PG after we move on from Russell and Rubio didn't have a great game. He made his two 2 pointers, but missed his only 3 and had no assists and a team-high 3 TOs in only 11 minutes.

[kekgeek]

Beal will not be on team USA due to covid protocols. Grant now has entered protocols also. Ant would probably been on team USA if he didn't get hurt

[Monster]

I just listened to Dane Moore's podcasts about his thoughts on the Olympic games so far. Here are some basic takeaways.

Bolmaro struggled defending NBA guys it sounded like he was simply too aggressive and they used it against him. It sounded like when Okogie was a rookie and CJ McCollom made him look silly one game. Dane also brought up how comfortable Bolmaro looks in the midrange. This was something that was brought up during a recent podcast he had with a fan who watched a bunch of his International games this year and wrote and article about it. They ended up having a conversation about whether or not the Wolves would allow some young players to utilize the midrange game including Culver. I think they made some worthwhile points.

Okogie is even bigger and he is actually playing PG for Nigeria. Dane said his defense is there and with even more strength he is going to be harder to score on.

He said Rubio has been playing fantastic and is basically the lead guy for the whole Spanish team closing out a game against France who has legit NBA players on and some of them good defenders too especially Gobert obviously. He pointed out that he played well for the Suns the year after he was The FIBA World Cup MVP. He wonders if a much better version of Rubio shows up next season if his value becomes much higher. A good Olympics for him would be good either to get him ready and rolling for the season or maybe upping his trade value a little. I tend to think he might start the season on the Wolves roster though. It's too bad Juancho got hurt because a nice Olympics may have helped him get on track but now he will be coming back from an injury instead.

Dane wonders if Edwards plays in the Summer league now or if his and Reid's injury will make the Wolves hold back from having guys play or play as much. I was only going to see Culver anyway so I'm good. Lol

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, I listened to Dane's podcast too.

Here was one of the most optimistic things he said about Bolmaro: "I like his free throw mechanics". Uh, yay. Basically, he doesn't think he's rotation-ready yet and he doesn't even view him as a fullt-time point guard, but more of a wing that can handle and make plays at times. If Dane is right, then Rubio isn't going anywhere without a better solution at backup than some cheap 3rd stringer like J-Mac.

I like how Okogie is being used for Nigeria. I think it's always useful when these guys play different roles for their international teams. It helps expand their skill-sets. But at the end of the day, there is only so much Okogie can help if he can't even crack 30% on 3's.

[Monster]

Yeah, I listened to Dane's podcast too.

Here was one of the most optimistic things he said about Bolmaro: "I like his free throw mechanics". Uh, yay. Basically, he doesn't think he's rotation-ready yet and he doesn't even view him as a fullt-time point guard, but more of a wing that can handle and make plays at times. If Dane is right, then Rubio isn't going anywhere without a better solution at backup than some cheap 3rd stringer like J-Mac.

I like how Okogie is being used for Nigeria. I think it's always useful when these guys play different roles for their international teams. It helps expand their skill-sets. But at the end of the day, there is only so much Okogie can help if he can't even crack 30% on 3's.

I think Bolmaro is a PG though but whether or not he can be that level of player at the NBA is worth questioning. Idk who he is behind for his Olympic team other than Facundo Campazzo but that team he played on this year was loaded with lead guards so it made sense he wasn't always given the ball and got to do whatever he wanted plus he is a really young player. It seemed like they did let him do that at times though and his coach called him a PG.

Also Dane kept talking about Bolmaro playing in Summer league. I'm not sure if that will happen. That's less than a month away. I'd like to see him there but we will see.

I totally agree with you on Okogie getting to do more in these settings. He has a weird amount of savy offensively in some ways for the type of player he is. If he can improve his ability to attack and learn to pick his spots better that could add to his value. IF...he ever becomes even a below average 3 point shooter he might injure guys with that shot fake he has. Lol

[kekgeek]

USA vs Australia exhibition game canceled do to covid. It will be very interesting to see what team the USA is going to field in Tokyo. Sounds like Duncan Robinson might be Beal replacement and I know ESPN talked about Ant being Beal replacement today but I have no idea how Ant ankle is doing.

[kekgeek]

Kevin love now has withdrawn from the Olympics.

[kekgeek]

Keldon Johnson and Javal Mcgee to replace Love and Beal.

Is Mcgee the worst USA basketball player ever? (Mcgee is a solid player)

[Monster]

Keldon Johnson and Javal Mcgee to replace Love and Beal.

Is Mcgee the worst USA basketball player ever? (Mcgee is a solid player)

I believe at this point a couple of the G-league squad guys that JVG coached are on the roster too so there are options.

[thedoper]

Its kind of too bad Ant got injured. He would have made the big team probably. Better for us likely to weigh on the side of caution, but seeing Ant compete for a gold medal would have been a nice treat this summer.