Photo: www.nj.com
So the Olympics are in full swing, have you caught the fever? I’m sorry to report, it has not reached me yet.
While my hope is that the USA team wins as many medals as possible, the entire exercise is just not my cup of tea. From allegations of rampant steroid usage (hello Russian team), to events that seem ridiculous to me (Men’s and Women’s Trampoline – really?), I just can’t get into it. However, the biggest waste of time the Olympics have to offer, is men’s basketball. This “competition” should be renamed: “Team USA’s International Beat-down/Comedy Tour”.
All one has to do is look at the record books, (which I’ve done for you), to see that since basketball became an Olympic sport, the American men have made a mockery of it. They won Gold medals in – 1936, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 76, 80, 84, 92, 96, 2000, 08, and 12. Keep in mind, the 1940 and 1944 games were canceled due to World War II, and the U.S. actually won the gold medal twice in 1972, before the last 3 seconds were played for a third time, and Russia finally scored the “winning” basket. The pinnacle of their utter dominance in round ball came in 1992, with the “Dream Team”. The Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, etc., squad averaged an amazing 120 points per game, and annihilated its opponents by a margin of 44 points per contest!
Fast forward to the Rio games, and once again America’s heroes of the hardwood are laughing their way to double digit victories. China was first up to play the part of the baby seal, and they were clubbed by the score of 119-62. The next joke, I mean game, came in the form of a 113-69 victory over Venezuela, even though the score was tied after the first quarter. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s charges now turn their sites to Australia on Wednesday. The team from the land down under will be the next to fall down under the bus, even though they have a few NBA players of their own in Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, and Patty Mills.
Photo: www.si.com
If there were a team/teams that could upset the red, white, and blue juggernaut, it would most likely be France (Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Gobert, Boris Diaw) or Spain (Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez, etc.). Yes, these are good teams with established international stars, but top to bottom they simply cannot match the talent of: Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, etc. When Team USA is clicking on all cylinders, there is not much any of the other countries can do. Let’s face it, these games have become a big joke. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at all of the belly laughing happening on the Team USA bench.
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