Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Perhaps no other country on the planet has produced a greater assemblage of athletes in their nation’s history than these United States of America. Pretty impressive when you consider the rest of the world enjoyed centuries of a head start. Our progeny has been so dominant in the world of sports, that we had to invent our own games to play amongst ourselves. Such is life when you’re number one in the world in the BAI (Bad Ass Index).
However, over the last several years, us patriots have seen our athletic stronghold weaken considerably in our bread-and-butter sports like basketball, baseball, and rock-paper-scissors (hell, up until this year we weren’t even the best at competitive eating, although our ‘non’-competitve eating title still looks pretty safe). The latest trinket of evidence? In last week’s Pan-Am Games in Brazil, the United States men’s basketball team finished in a paltry 5th place. The pan-am team was far from “dreamy”, with a roster comprised of a bunch of all-conference guys, most notably Drew Nietzel, Roy Hibbert, D.J. White, and Wayne Ellington. Not exactly a juggernaut, but you’d like to think they could dig deep enough and not lose to the likes of Uraguay and Panama. But this is but a mere tick on the ear of a much bigger problem. The once fabled ‘Dream Team’ hasn’t won anything since the 2000 Olympics, and are sliding further down the podium each time out. The NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs boast a Frechie PG and an Argentine wing to compliment thier Carribbean big man (although he plays for us, since we own the Virgin Islands…because we’re badass).
Don’t get me wrong, I have no qualms with a diverse NBA, and if you thought the USA was going to win every international game by 20+ for the rest of eternity, well, you probably own a pair of these and think Toby Keith is the new Waylon Jennings. Many of the reasons for the leveled playing fields among longtime yankee-centric sports are due to political and economic enhancements (suggested reading: “The World is Flat”). But come on, we’re now losing to countries that manufacture the Nikes we wear. Now, I’m no Buddhist, but I believe they call that caramel.
Is basketball in our country really this bad, or is it a combination of not giving an ‘F’ and big booty Brazilian girls into the wee hours? We all know that the luster of a gold medal is slightly less significant than that of a gold plated toilet seat to many NBA allstars; and we know that compared to the rest of the field, the US squads barely get to practice together. I’m still just finding it hard to believe that we’ve fallen so far, so fast.
To complete the circle, the USA recently defeated, among others Brazil, en-route to a quarterfinal showing in the under-20 soccer playoffs, and of course there’s the continued media fellatio of David Beckham’s arrival to the MLS. Then, there’s Stephon Marbury’s latest proclamation that he’ll play in Italy when his NBA contract expires in 2 years.
What in the world is going on here?
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
28 queries. 0.539 seconds
July 31st, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Just like C on a multiple choice test, when in doubt go with “big booty Brazilian girls”.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Where’s my Kige report?Dammitt Matt!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 8:20 pm
To complete the circle, the USA recently brough home a world championship in the under-20 soccer playoffs, and of course there’s the continued media ejaculation over David Beckham’s arrival to the MLS.
Intern,
Whas it premature? that always sucks!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 8:35 pm
one of the better writings from Intern. but the U-20 team didn’t win the championship, they lost in the quarters.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Did they not? Yess, you’re right, they beat Brazil and lost to Austria. Good call zac.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Why didn’t you stick it to someone, Intern? Someone, anyone, this stuffs confusing.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:58 pm
What are you implying Intern — that we really need to get the SA Point Guard?
July 31st, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Nice write up! usa is getting a good dose of what fat wallet athletes can become Vick, Bonds, pacman, olsen…it just keeps coming.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Good to see you writing again. Must be having too much fun this summer. Or maybe not enough?
July 31st, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Mmmmmm. Pie in the face.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Didn’t the U20 lose in the championship. I know one of the teams made the title game because I watached.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:36 pm
It’s amazing how fast USA BB is falling in international competitions.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Nevermind, I was thinking of a basketball team that played this summer.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Thanks for linking my latest fashion designing/modeling venture, it helps to have free publicity like that.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:47 pm
We lose because we play pitiful, fundamentally unsound basketball here in the good ole U.S. of A.
We can’t shooot a mid range jumper, play defense, protect the ball or rebound. And, don’t even consider our free throw shooting ability.
With the talent level in many of the other countries, it will become a regular miracle if we even win any of these games.
We can thank ESPN, AAU and an assortment of other things for our current condition….
July 31st, 2007 at 9:52 pm
I have to agree,the Intern did a good job on this article!! You’re starting to really come into your own!!Sports trivia is also your forte,you think you could stump the schawb?
July 31st, 2007 at 9:54 pm
^^^schwab
July 31st, 2007 at 10:10 pm
This team needed Chris Lofton. They shot TERRIBLE from outside the arc. Jay Wright made a mistake by not taking him. It’s sad that we pick a national team like a middle school does.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:12 pm
We lost the first two games to Uruguay and Panama because slick little Jay Wright chose to play his own guy, that pudgy little Scottie Reynolds, through 9 turnovers against U and 0-7 shooting against P, while Washington State’s point guard Derrick Low played a total of 1 minute.
Wright finally played Low the last three games, all of which we won. So, basically, Wright tried to use the USA team as a practice ground for his pet player, and our national basketball reputation took another hit.
Now go buy another Armani suit, scumbag!
July 31st, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Chris Lofton is the difference between a 5th place finish and ?
Survey says: A 4th place finish. I hear Chris Lofton’s tears cure Alzheimer’s though. So he’s got that going for him. That’s a Need to Know Wednesday if I ever heard of one!
July 31st, 2007 at 11:39 pm
JKW1974…. completely agree with you, but I think you left out one very important point. Our teams dont play proper team ball. Its all too often a one man show.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:35 am
The blame goes to Jay Wright for wanting to play his guards instead of the best players.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:35 am
If Lofton played better and SHOT better in the tryouts he would’ve made the team.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:29 am
It’s simple. When you only have but a few weeks to practice together, while other nations have years to practice together as a single unit, you’re going to be at a disadvantage. Factor in sub-par talent on this squad, and the fact that other nations are getting better, and well it’s a recipe for disaster. Had we sent our bedst players, our boys would’ve captured gold for sure. Had this squad had several months to work together and develop something even slightly resembling team chemistry, then maybe they would’ve won it all. However, subpar talent and unfamiliarity among teammates? Not gonna win too many championships that way.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:03 am
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding American Pie (in the face), but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong