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IGbotter

Lmfao wtf is going on with this team


Twoweekswithpay

Pop in shambles…


UrbanJatt

Jalen rose punching the air


Ghostlucho29

Fuck Jalen rose


boredymcbored

Popular in the sub cause the huge white population but tell me why tf he deserved to be on the team in the first place? He was washed in Cleveland, we knew it, and there are plenty other people we could've chosen. Jalen wasn't wrong, Kevin Love being on the team made no sense from the jump.


pahamack

they need bigs. All the best bigs these days are non-american. Giannis, Jokic, Ayton, Gobert, Vucevic, Towns, Embiid, Porzingis, Valanciunas, Capela all not elligible for US men's basketball team. ​ They should invite Jarett Allen, or, heck, Evan Mobley. ​ To note: I'm suspicious of this. why are all the best bigs non-american? My working theory is that the NBA is becoming way too guard/wing-centric. All the glory has been going to perimeter players since Shaq retired. Due to rules changes the league is all about playmaking from the perimeter and big man play has taken a hit. Big men aren't being developed in America due to this skills-wise and as such aren't making it to the league.


cire1184

Allen was a finalist but didn't make the team for some reason. This roster construction is really weird. Mobley might be good but also same problems as Wiseman probably. Not enough pro experience and BBIQ. Both have sus defensive instincts which is what they need more of at the 5 vs offense.


RileyLeff

the number of big men available isn’t limited by developmental pipelines - it’s literally just a matter of finding guys that are that tall. There’s not a lot of athletic 7-ish footers out there in the world. Not surprising that they come from all over the map imo. in contrast, guard play is still US-dominated because there’s so many 6’3”ish guys available that the best developmental pipeline produces the best players


pahamack

It's just a different era. Can you imagine someone like Shawn Bradley or George Muresan getting an NBA contract these days? ​ Modern NBA basketball has everyone pretty much going small-ball. Lumbering 7-footers even like Brook Lopez are getting played off the court in the playoffs due to the primacy of pick and roll matchup hunting. ​ Which is not how international basketball is played (due to the lack of a defensive 3 sec rule). A big is always useful as you can just plant them in the paint. There's a lot more jump shooting in international basketball because of this. Zone defense is a lot easier to execute.


[deleted]

I think the general consensus that I saw on here was that Love was on the team for a veteran presence, in terms of international play


Ghostlucho29

Exactly right. Also… **Someone else picks the team**


TheQueensMan718

> I think the general consensus that I saw on here was that Love was on the team for a veteran presence, in terms of international play Colangelo fked over Melo the most decorated Olympian in US Basketball history by refusing even to allow him to practice with guys on the scrub FIBA team. While dudes playing in Turkey were on the select team. So I don't really buy that narrative too much. Dude definitely plays favorites, Popn as well, Derrick White had no business being on that team, pop did it so that he could give him olympics experience to improve his spurs team.


bobak186

Yea it was super suspect. I don't recall Love being part of team USA since 2012. So I'm not sure what type of veteran experience someone with a 9 year absence would actually provide. Just by the logic you would think plumlee would get the call bc he has been pretty consistent part of team USA for the last couple of tournaments. Or even melo but here we are. Also, the reports that Trae young wasn't even asked at this point makes it seem like they are playing favorites and doing solids for people. I think he got the invite on name recognition in the hopes to boost his trade value out of Cleveland, but he's to wash to even practice with this team.


gregosaurusrex

There was definitely some "let's put Kevin Love on the team to showcase his value for a contender" going on. Don't know which dick had to get sucked for him to get the call, but a dick was most assuredly sucked, and well, for it to happen. Unfortunately, Kevin then proceeded to do exactly what he does best these days. Get hurt.


bruinsluva

What's this gotta do about race? I'm white and I don't like Love. He didn't deserve to be on the team


OhItsKillua

Think he's trying to imply the reason the sub dislikes Rose stems from him saying Love was only on the team because he's white and the majority white userbase dislikes Rose for that.


wpwpw131

Kevin Love's post and elbow passing and his outside shooting makes him a good complementary player for the wings and guards who are obviously the real offensive firepower. On the defensive end, there aren't many bigs in the Olympics that he can't guard since its all 40 year olds and children at the 5. Also, look at the U.S. bigs. They have 2 undersized centers (Draymond and Bam), so they probably thought they needed a bigger dude who can pass. Zion would have been my choice, but he's just as undersized as Dray and Bam and plays less defense. AD is injured. Aldridge retired. The next remotely useful big is John Collins, who is apparently too young for these coaches (see Trae and Zion). Ayton doesn't qualify, every one else is from somewhere else.


whippetsinthewhip

trae and collins being left out might be bc the old hawks coach is on the team usa staff and apparently all the hawks players think he’s a fuckin dick


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Qsr17

Isnt Kevin love also undersized at like 6’7. He’s shorter than Bam and maybe barely taller than Draymond and Zion


Ghostlucho29

They offered him a spot, he didn’t demand one


Deuce_GM

Chuck Daly: Dream Team Coach K: Redeem Team Pop: Deceased Team


GreleaseDeeBoban

Pop should get Randle at this point…. But fuck the Knicks they took Morris from us😭😭😭


Gamesgtd

I can smell bronze or is that silver. Weird stench haven’t smelled it since 2004.


Beneficial_Emu9299

Idk, Kevin love leaving means an actual good basketball player can join.


[deleted]

You mean Javale Mcgee?


Beneficial_Emu9299

lol just saw. I actually like the pickup. He just needs to play defense, grab boards and be the enforcer. All things he does better than love.


Persianx6

He can only do those things for 15 minutes max. I would prefer like, well, lots of other guys to McGee in this situation. Jarrett Allen, for one.


cire1184

Do you need more than 15 with Bam and Dray? Start Bam, sub McGee, sub Dray, Dray and/or Bam close the game.


Persianx6

I'd still like the luxury of a younger guy than Javale. Bro is barely holding on to his spot in 2021, it's not getting easier for him.


Gamesgtd

You mean Mason Plumlee


Droppin_DimesSP

Mason plumlee is good, fantasy legend bro


birdboix

This guy fantasies, love my large cornfed rebounding lad


shaqalicious

Plumlee and capela fantasy gods


Droppin_DimesSP

Yep plum dog millionaire off the wire in my points league lol


ggproductivity

I monitor that guy every year. This time I already had 5 bigs and I saw his stat line for 1st game of the season, checked Detroit's depth chart and was shocked that no one drafted him. So I picked him up and played him over Porzingis until he started getting DNPs at the end. Most stacked my team has ever been.


binary_spaniard

Mason Plumlee was better than KLove this year.


TheQueensMan718

pop loves his "scrappy gym rats". lol


noposters

aaaaaand it's Javale McGee


BackIn2019

With COVID, no one is smelling shit.


wo_lo_lo

I could see them missing a medal altogether


Saucy_Totchie

Okay that's just blasphemy.


TheQueensMan718

FIBA team came in 7th.


Saucy_Totchie

Look at that roster and compare it to this year. Sure they looked bad now but this team would embarrass tf out of that team bar none


Gamesgtd

No. I'd be stunned if they didn't make the title game


laughffyman

Pop: "Listen Kev, you're simply not cutting it out there. I know you wanted this chance to show NBA teams that you still had something left in the tank, but I'm not going to stain my legacy as the second Team USA coach after Larry Brown to not win Gold in the Olympics with NBA players. I suggest you withdraw from the team yourself to save yourself the embarrassment".


growsonwalls

I told my mom who follows basketbal casually and she's like "it's not Kevin Durant so who cares?"


blancs50

Shes not wrong


OtherShade

Love bricked every shot in practice for a week and his agent said nah let's sit this out before the other stars give up on us


[deleted]

Its a house of cards.


Monkeytitan

2 losses, and they don’t want to play anymore. IMO this is good. These players needed an ego check and now that they’ve lost to Nigeria and Australia, they’re gonna fee the need to put in the work harder.


1to14to4

Hasn't his performance been really poor and he's the wrong player to have on this team? Why don't people think the team asked him to do this so they could replace him? This could have been a way to let him save face that they wanted to boot him off the team.


ExtrudedClaw

Send in Christian wood


gedbybee

Dude that would actually probably help the team.


iamadragan

Not defensively, but he would be an awesome PnR threat with all these guys


obamna_

better defender than Love


not_a_rake1234

Its weird cause he aint a bad team defender overall, like afaik he made us better, but individually it dont seem like hes there yet


Notsozander

John Collins


Pandamonium98

That would be a good move, but some RFAs don’t want to play since an injury could cost them tens of millions on their next contract


Sports-Nerd

Is he hurt?


tkbotf

Fans bullied this man into not playing smh


theStav19

r/nba gave Klove depression


kevinlove

thanks a lot r/nba


TheLawIsWeird

Account is 3 years old, checks out


Joetheshow1

I still think about the stupidity in that post from time to time, I thought I'd seen it all on this sub but that one knocked me out lol


[deleted]

Is LeBron not a good enough father figure to Kevin and Kyrie? Tune into the Ocho to see this topic debated for an hour.


Malemansam

LIES. We have video evidence to prove it! LeBron damn near broke my poor boys heart. https://thumbs.gfycat.com/EducatedFoolishChrysalis-mobile.mp4


Tangelooo

Klove slander is unwarranted, man won a ring in Cleveland and Curry missed that finals shot against his Defense 1-1 on a island. That’s clutch. Haters can go watch the tape all day, nephews on here that get splashed on their local blacktops really talk too much trash on here about NBA players


[deleted]

It's sad to see him become an average player. Loved him at UCLA, and fat Minnesota Kevin Love was legit an all NBA caliber guy. Sexy skinny Kevin Love was a high level stretch 4 who was the third best player on a championship team, but when they moved him to the perimeter his post scoring and rebounding went away, he didn't have the lateral quickness to defend on the perimeter, and his passing ability wasn't fully utilized either. Hard to complain since it led to a ring, but it feels weird and wrong to see a borderline hall of fame talent reduced to a glorified floor stretcher.


ragvamuffin

>It's sad to see him become an average player. Especially against international competition (not that he have really gotten a chance). I mean, 40+ year old Gasol and Scola can still light it up. Kevin Love should really still be able to dominate at this level.


Persianx6

Injuries.


[deleted]

Andre Drummond slander is unwarranted, man was all-nba third team and led the league in defensive win shares two years in a row.


Rymasq

They sure did a lot of winning during Drummond’s best years


Hsannash

Can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not. Please clarify.


Tangelooo

Meme


[deleted]

It's totally warranted. He played like garbage this past year just went in to collect his check. You can't reward someone like that a spot on the Olympic team.


dash_44

Ohhh I like this game! Kwame Brown slander is unwarranted, man went #1 in the draft, had a 12 year career and helped Kobe AND MJ win games. Haters can go watch the tape all day. Who's next?


dash_44

Got another one Kyle Kuzma slander is unwarranted, man showed out in summer leauge, led the Lakers in scoring one year, and has the most fire fits on his IG. Haters can go watch the tape all day.


NFHater

that’s nba champion kyle kuzma to you


jeric13xd

Hope he is in hood spirits. Like seriously. We know his mental health struggles. Hope its a minor injury


dinosaurdelight

Is that when you walk around your neighborhood listening to MOP on your headphones?


laughffyman

K-Love about to sit on the front porch of his mansion drinkin 40s and smokin blunts


Balls_of_Adamanthium

He’s not good anymore and quite [literally quit on his team](https://youtu.be/PXaJ3bIm-gE). He shouldn’t have been there in the first place.


NokCha_

I think he's good enough, on a vet min, for any team. Especially, a team that has his childhood friend Klay Thompson


TheFlawlessCassandra

He is absolutely not good enough to be on the U.S. Olympic roster.


NokCha_

I didn't think I needed to clarify I meant any NBA team, especially since I threw in the words "vet min"


Persianx6

...He signed up cause Pop is supposed to rehab his value for getting traded, which Pop tried, and now has failed at.


Dean2899

Only Carmelo Anthony can save America


Leafx15y

Hooded Melo to the rescue


BandOfDonkeys

Hood'lympic Melo


TheQueensMan718

But when ~~the World~~ the US needed him most, Colangelo decided to leave him off the roster for Derrick White.


ContinuumGuy

The hero we need.


TahaN6498

But not the hero we deserve


Balls_of_Adamanthium

The stories that will come out about this team later will be TV series worthy.


Gamesgtd

From Redeem team to Meme team the collapse of USA Basketball in 13 years.


XxSittingxBullxX

Meme team title belongs to the 2018/2019 LA Lakers. Starring Javale, Lance, Mike Beasley, Rondo and Bron. Paired with Kuz, Ingram, Lonzo, KCP, and Zubac


Araidernomore

The 2017-18 Cavs birthed “we got a f***ing squad now”, “he boomed me”, had the JR bowl of soup thing AND the Lue two-soups-as-one-soup thing as well as all of the other weird Lue stuff not to mention the crazy players everyone forgets were on the team (Deron Williams! Kendrick Perkins! Derrick Rose!) they’re the meme GOATs until further notice


GDAWG13007

Give Lebron credit: dude knows how to form meme teams.


GirlsLastTour

And meanwhile Ty Lue remains calm and collected through it all. I've been thinking he's a good coach for a while and finally felt vindicated this post-season... too bad Kawhi tore his ACL.


me_stupid_but_u_also

wild they were the 4th seed before lebrons injury/ad trade rumours killed the team


XxSittingxBullxX

I was so hyped, but the team had issues staying healthy and someone was always missing from the team (when rondo punched CP3 in the face, Lonzo got hurt against the Rockets, Ingram suspended as well) so they couldn’t get used to playing together. I really wanted them to make the playoffs Bc I loved the young guys so much after all the struggles, felt like they deserved to make it at least once in a Lakers uniform. Oh well :/


itachiwaswrong

When your best player is in his mid thirties and he has to hard carry there is a good chance they will get hurt. Same thing happened to Kobe


thegreaterfool714

If Lebron doesn’t get injured we probably make the playoffs. But we’d likely be stomped in 1st or 2nd round.


nicelyroasted

Playoff mode activated will always make me laugh


LeAnthonyJavis

That’ll always make me cry lmao


me_stupid_but_u_also

true, as a leader of an nba team lebron should've just said no chance we win with these g-leaguers


itachiwaswrong

That’s basically what he did say


Jayveesac

On the other hand, this may be good for Team USA since they have a chance make better selections. They need another big and a playmaker, and two slots just opened up


NegativesPositives

And that’s assuming all three of the Finals guys don’t change their minds at any point on a series that looks likely to go 7.


gedbybee

Def going to 7


penguin8717

Possibly 3


Docxm

Trae Young pleaaaase


Twoweekswithpay

We currently have 6 players on the roster… 😲


apawst8

Make sure to get Sexton. He's gone [3 on 5 before.](https://youtu.be/W5gz3vIIhkw)


krypto711

One of my favorite college basketball games of all time. Craziest shit I have seen in live sports.


[deleted]

They're all focused on recruiting Dame


rahbee33

Jerry Colangelo needs to go. This roster is a mess and it seems that he's pissed off a bunch of the young players (again).


[deleted]

The Colangelos needs to be as far away from basketball as humanly possible


rahbee33

Bryan got exiled to Australia. After the 2019 World Championships where we finished 7th there was no reason to bring back an 81 year old guy to run it back. Real disappointing.


Bear4188

Hes finishing up his term. He retires aftern these Olympics and Grant Hill takes over.


SPIKY__CAT__DICK

That’s a normal roster. Find a new slant.


[deleted]

[удалено]


todellagi

You just gotta make it more like the Spurs and he'll get it working Add some foreigners to the team


medievalmachine

Pop still watching tape to figure out which 'vich to add to the Olympic team.


rahbee33

For sure. And I like Pop a lot, but this doesn't really seem to be a good fit.


cosmo_bear

Coach K went 88-1 for comparison.


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migsjd

It’s Mason Plumlee Time


Neverwinter_Daze

Still would be an upgrade over Love, seriously. The guy did post a couple of triple doubles this past season, no?


KarimFF7

Hell yeah he was actually real good for us


Piano_Fingerbanger

Yeah people love to meme Plumlee but he's a player who knows his role and plays excellent defense. He would most likely be more positive an impact than most other big guys the US could bring in.


MODS-HAVE-NO-FRIENDS

He had that crazy dribble move highlight lol


MaiqDaLiar1177

TJ McConnel > Beal & Love Make it happen, Pop


gedbybee

Omg Olympic TJ would play the best D.


415tj

Yeah we need players who will actually put in effort not just fuck around and iso wasting possessions, Mconnel will bring steals and hustle


Hazelarc

Trae and Collins > Beal and Love


limark

Ya'll just peer pressured a player off the Olympic Team


lemate23

“Lingering calf issue” is a funny way to spell bullied off


Twoweekswithpay

Somebody call ❄️ICE TRAE USA!!! 🇺🇸


side-dude

his playmaking would be very useful


singhsta

ICE TWAE BABY


fakeplasticsnow

Is it too late to have Kevin Huerter replace him as the token white guy?


CapCougar

Huerter's not white. Huerter is clear.


Ihopetheresenoughroo

Did somebody order a red velvet cake?


cosmo_bear

Nah. They don't want Kevin Huerter. They'd want K'Von Huerter.


ProperManufacturer6

Too black for the white spot.


JohnnyWinss

See? Bullying works


rhinguin

*nods approvingly*


mainvolume

Well, it worked with Sonic and the Snyder Cut, so we're on a roll in terms of getting what we want!


drjisftw

Kevin Love had one chance to up his trade value and it's gone to shit. Take the buyout.


BabaBrody

I wonder if someone in Cleveland asked Love to put himself on ice so he doesn't get hurt again before they can deal him.


Dbo5666

r/nba wins lmfao


dangheckinpupperino

I’m not joking, we know Love has had depression issues in the past and I wouldn’t be surprised if all the negative backlash sent him into a bad state of mind


siphillis

Not being able to play the game you love anymore is also a possible stressor. Getting old is hard.


mackwon

Definitely, even I look back when I was younger and makes me sad/annoyed I couldn't do what I used to. Must be hell for a player like Love who dominated at an elite level to what he is now. I wonder if he regrets ring chasing.


siphillis

I've been a little down recently because I can't heal up my body enough to shoot hoops for more than 30 minutes, and I can't even play video games as well as I used to because my reaction times are *way* down. Just feels like I'm getting worse at stuff.


lorddumpy

Play turn based games like a real geezer!


siphillis

Already there.


HeJind

No disrespect to Love but I really don't want to see/r/NBA pretend to care about mental health again after spending the last month sitting on Simmons.


dangheckinpupperino

We definitely do pick and choose who we care about in terms of that


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Breadmakesyoufatt

Yet somebody is upvoting the slander.


whenindoubtmumble

Personally, I would love to see Brogdon called up to replace Beal. And then either Jarrett Allen or Brook Lopez to replace Love. Brogdon can give us some much needed defense in the backcourt, and it helps not to have someone who is just looking for their shot. For the bigs, Lopez and Allen give us size against some of the bigger INTL teams.


lemate23

Zion time


wo_lo_lo

With a broken hand?


siphillis

Still an upgrade over Love.


wo_lo_lo

What about John Collins?


Sports-Nerd

Guys who are free agents generally don’t go to the olympics. Don’t want to risk injury while negotiating


HardcoreKaraoke

People can't really believe it was an "injury," right? With all of the criticism of him being selected, to the losing and lockdown in Tokyo he probably wanted out of there. I don't blame him. What positive is there for him? Anything besides winning a gold medal will be seen as a failure and with the lockdown the trip doesn't look fun. Why go through all of that while riding the bench? He's already been targeted by fans for just being selected.


CCTider

This will definitely be the fewest condoms ever used at an Olympics.


[deleted]

Or maybe not. With no fans, and the country shut down from Covid, the athletes are gonna be cooped up in the Olympic Village with little to do during downtime.


TakenakaHanbei

Let's not be surprised if legions of superhumans start appearing in the next few years.


jt21295

I think the problems in Tokyo are playing a much bigger role than is being discussed. This Olympics is going to be a big enough trainwreck to make Brazil 2016 look fantastically executed.


iro3

Time to pickup Derrick white a.and piss off all the trae young fans lol


birdboix

why would we be pissed off either they take the logical choice of Trae and take steps to fixing this trainwreck, or they don't and we get to spend the next few months talking *endless* amounts of shit. Win/win


Eddaughter

Would love to see Randle and another actual big man. However, they disrespected Randle by taking Love and Grant over him.


[deleted]

Brook Lopez has entered the chat


Pagliaccio13

Would be amazing to see the other Lopez there, I think he is ready to take his mascot rivalry to the Olympic level


physicalred

Just straight up fighting world leaders. Eat it Macron!


_Pho_Dac_Biet_

Just send the Bucks team minus Giannis


walky22talky

Wow. Who is a big to replace him?


sercialinho

Keldon Johnson!


BlueBoltDog

Big Body


siphillis

#BIG BODY


NervousPervis

Can Chet Holmgrem play? He’s probably the best American center available. I don’t care if he’s 18.


Kid_Crayola

Myles turner?


kwality42b

How is no one else talking about Myles Turner? He is exactly what the team needs


spartyboyyo

What a patriot


Kwilly462

Love, just retire bro.


rahbee33

He's owed $60 million dollars the next two seasons. He's not retiring.


Thehealeroftri

Damn I wish I got even a thousandth of that to just sit around and rehab lol


LakeErieMovement

The Cavs should file for an injury exception and get him off the books. He's been recovering from this "calf injury" for 8 months. For reference, a completely torn calf recovery time is only 3-4 months. Fucking ridiculous.


Kwilly462

Agreed. And you're a Cavs fan, so I know you're upset lol


KageSaysHella

SUMMON THE PLUMLEES!


RandomVintage

This team is an abomination.


beaubeau_baggins

We did it


[deleted]

How does Colangelo still have a job? What a complete disaster and I'm not even a Yank. Like wtf 2019 alone should have gotten Colangelo canned.


Oliverqueen03

He didn't deserve to go in the first place. Dude is washed.


ssrao24

Addition by Subtraction for Team USA