Reader comments: U.S. basketball survives tough challenge from Argentina

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D. Will rocks | 10:36 a.m. Aug. 22, 2008
Spain will realize they lost by the second quarter because the U.S won by 37 points in pool play so it shouldn't be a challenge
L Scola | 10:51 a.m. Aug. 22, 2008
I am Mr Scola, I paly for the rockets and come off the bench... but boy did I kill u stupid americans....and without Ginobli. YOU guys are all show, way to go america. NOT . DREAM TEAM. PLEASE. KEEP DREAMING, AVERAGE TEAM MAYBE. the LUCKY Americans win, Weak sauce U.S.A. !!!
Carlos Loozer | 11:09 a.m. Aug. 22, 2008
I am Carlos Boozer. I wave the best towels of any player in the Olympics. Show some love, will ya!
Comments continue below
Casual fan | 11:18 a.m. Aug. 22, 2008
Doggone. I was pulling for Argentina.
world wide game | 12:15 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
basketball is an international game now. The NBA has so many good players from Europe, South American and some from Russia. China is now in the mix as well. Baseball saw that happen several years ago and now you are seeing alot of great MLB players from Japan. The US is no longer the dominate athletic force it once was in world.
US could be better | 12:20 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
add Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the world champion Celtics to the current US team and nobody would have come to within 30 points (including Argentina).
Cameron | 12:25 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
"Only held a lead in the teens throughout the second half"

Dude, we win by twenty and it's reported as if we lost.
t o world wide game | 12:42 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
it is a very minimal sport in Europe and most kids have bever even touched a basketball ..... and never will cause it's a dumb sport for freaks of nature shaped people
Dear L Scola | 12:44 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
You do come off the Bench for the Rockets! I remember thinking that your "Stylish leather hairband" looked like you stole it from my teenage daughter's purse. so did your wig...er hair. And, considering the number the Jazz did on you and Fakey McGreedy, you probably borrowed your "Game" from a teenage girl, too.

As far as today's results go, the American team is certainly not a Dreamteam, far from it in fact. The sad news for you is that our "weak" team used it's "weak sauce", and played it's worst game yet. But somehow STILL managed to kick your trash by 20 points, and that, dear Mr. S, is a blowout.

Last Olympics, when you got your brief 15 seconds of glory, none of the Americans claimed your victory sucked, that you were lucky, or that you should re-evaluate how good your team was.

America tucked it's embarrased tale between its humiliated knees and took it's well deserved beating. Then they fixed their problem.

You would be wise to do the same.

Talk is cheap, mouths don't make baskets and as your fellow Argentines gleefully said in '04...."Scoreboard!"
AzJazzFan | 1:27 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
To all the USA basketball haters the US is still numero uno and if you can't win on the scoreboard then you try to knock them down with silly comments but reality remains the same. I commmend the Utah Jazz guys for representing country and state well. Thanks Deron and Carlos. I hope you guys stay in UT as long as possible.
Redeem This | 1:32 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
All these stories about the US Basketball team looking for gold are pretty pathetic. We "only" won by 20 points- come on here! They're the heavy favorite! Anything other then gold is a 18-0 Patriot-esque CHOKE! I for one am sick of all of these stories about how fortunate we were to not lose when we're dominating everyone.
Melo | 1:46 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
Carmelo Anthony did not help much today. I think he ended up hitting 3 of 14 shots in the game. When you take that many shots and go to the line as many times as he did, you better be scoring over 30 points. I think it's time to start putting the ball in the hands of those who can hit better than 21% of their shots.
Ole Nordman | 1:52 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
World Champion Celtics? Perhaps. NBA champs certainly.

If they want to be called "world champs", send them over and let them prove it against the world. The fact that there are more foreign players in the NBA, some of whom played on teams the Celtics beat, does not mean that they earned the right to call themselves "world champions". If by chance they have any roster spots filled by foreign nationals playing on their country's squad, let the NBA champs select an American player of their choice to take their place, but they can't be part of the starting line-up. (Would the Spurs under such a system even be recognizable as the same team? It wouldn't impact the Celtics much, but the Spurs without Parker & Ginobili are not the same team that won the championship. I know it isn't perfect, but it would at least show an effort.)

While you're at it, send the "World Series" champion, a.k.a. MBL champs, Boston Red Sox to earn their honors vs the world as well.

Chances are good they'd probably both win, but until they do, they haven't won any "world" title.
Tough? | 2:17 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
It was over in the first quarter when it was 21-4 and the U.S. cruised after that.
Basketballogy | 2:23 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
There are always guys howling about the 1992 "Dream Team" every time there's a conversation about USA Basketball.

There should be a special website for people who live in the past so they don't clutter up conversations about 2008 basketball.

And speaking of embracing reality, Garnett is great, but unfortunately he passed on playing for USA to preserve himself to play for the best team money can buy. Look it up.

There probably is better talent than USA's current roster, if the price is right, but I'm fine with these 12 patriots.

And who's the bigger loser?

The guy who won back to back state championships in high school, an NCAA championship in college, and beat out some amazing players to make Team USA... and cheers for his teammates from the bench rather than pouting about playing time?

Or the guy in the cheap seats warming over unoriginal putdowns at Carlos Boozer?

And usually there's someone harping harping on USA for sending NBA players.

Interestingly, the best player on the floor today was an NBA player that had 28 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks...

who didn't play for USA.

It's a new world, guys, embrace it!
Grant | 3:42 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
USA will destroy Spain again. It feels good to be the best again.
Come on Coach K | 5:57 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
I agree with the Melo comment. Good Grief!!!! I can understand him having a bad game but at least pull him out of the game. Same with Jason Kidd. Those two players are getting way too much playing time while way more productive players (Williams, Wade, Paul) should be getting more.
Claudia | 6:39 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
As they say D-
will has ice water in his veins
D-Will, MORE TIME !!!! | 8:49 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
Im good with careless boozers mins. But PLEASE Less jason kidd and more W-Will. he plays D and can shoot? hey whens is the gold metel game anyway??? anyone.....bueler???????
mr america | 9:18 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
Is it just me being stupid, or is there anyone else that doesn't understand a thing that was said in these blogs tonight. most of you people sound as tho you have been hitting the bottle, or smoking corn silk. cheeeeeeezzzzzs!
Proud Mary | 11:02 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
RE: Melo | 1:46 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008
RE: Come on Coach K | 5:57 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Carmello led the team with 21 points, what are you all reading or watching. Additionally, he was one of the highest scorers in "The League" and is currently ranked fourth on Team USA in points averaged per game. A beast of an athlete; GET IT RIGHT before you comment...HATERS!!

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USA forward Chris Bosh (12) puts up a shot past Argentina's Carlos Delfino (10) during their semifinal basketball game Friday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
USA forward Chris Bosh (12) puts up a shot past Argentina's Carlos Delfino (10) during their semifinal basketball game Friday.