Reader comments
Utah Jazz: U.S. routs Germany, moves into quarterfinals

casual fan | 9:22 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Doggone. I was pulling for Germany.

Cats Football | 9:46 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Then you should move!

Easy Does It | 9:50 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

It looked liked 7th graders vs. 3rd graders. Completely overmatched. It also showed that Dirk needs a good guard setting him up. It also showed that Carmello actually can play defense. It also showed that Boozer is good because he has a great guard setting him up. He's nothing without Williams. It also showed that Dwayne Wade looks more explosive than I've ever seen him. Dwight Howard is a stud!

Comments continue below

Hawk | 9:58 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Regardless if what Utah Jazz fans think, Kobe is the best player on any floor and is a classy individual as well. Hats of to him and the US team.

Anonymous | 10:07 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Its good to see Dirk humbled a little..

Ken | 10:10 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Bulge.

funny | 10:18 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

I'm pulling for the US and I'm glad that Kobe is finally on a team I can root for, but isn't it strange that his play has suffered when he doesn't get every call to go his way like in the NBA. Without refs, he is just an NBA star, not superstar.

Surprised | 11:02 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

I have actually been quite surprised with Kobe. I have never been a big Kobe fan, but that could change if he keeps it up. He is showing lots of class that I haven't seen before. Keep it up Kobe...

Deutsch | 11:08 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

You must enjoy the US team doing well, too bad the Jazz are no better than Panguitch High School team. We never let forget Greece win America, ha ha ha. Wir sind starker als Amerika. Wahr.

ceg | 11:26 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

This is why I don't watch the Olympics. It used to be for amateurs. But because so many countries stacked the deck they opened it up several years ago to all. We get to watch the pros on a regular basis. I want to see the best of the amateurs play each other.

AL | 11:58 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Re Hawk: The best player, I will give him that, but classy he gets an F- or don't you remember Colorado. You can pay off anyone and get the results you want.........Remember OJ.......

So long Jirk...I mean Dirk | 12:32 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Go USA!

The Actuary | 12:47 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

There have been lots of comments on Kobe, so let me add mine. As a Jazz fan (and hence a Laker hater), I have always thought Kobe was a selfish jerk. I watched an interview of him the other night, and he had class. I couldn't believe it. He was talking about the honor it was to represent the USA. The interviewer asked Bryant if being patriotic was old fashioned and dumb. Kobe said that he didn't care if it was, he was proud to be an American. And apparently he speaks Spanish and one or two other languages. Maybe he's not as big of a jerk as I thought. But this doesn't mean that I will root for him by any means.

I agree... | 1:17 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

" I want to see the best of the amateurs play each other."

I remember the days when our top college players stopped the rest of the world. Unfortunately those days are over. The world has caught up and surpassed the college ranks. Most countries have embraced basketball and have their own pro league. Because of the wooping USA handed out, most countries opted to send their pros to play. Thus the USA was forced to do the same.

The world has not caught up with the USA's pros, nor do I see them coming close in the future. The NBA is grueling and pressure packed, far more than any other pro bball league in the world. I've really enjoyed watching the USA team play based on the quality of ball. Although it seems unfair, all the players put their shorts on one leg at a time no matter what team they're on. Each team is represented by the best from their country. To watch the talents and abilities of these athletes has been thoroughly entertaining.

RE: ceg | 1:21 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

The Olympics are meant to match the best against the best. It would make no sense to send anyone else. We all saw Phelps a lot this Olympics so maybe we shouldn't send him to London in 2012 even if he is the best swimmer.

Anonymous | 1:37 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

I'll never be a Kobe fan in the NBA, but I have really enjoyed watching him being a fan. He has shown class and an appreciation for the game of basketball and the Olympic Spirit. I am a fan of Kobe for that! Never as a Laker!!

Ing | 1:45 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Never thought I'd say this, but like "Surprised" above, I might have to revise my opinion of Kobe.

Can't argue with his basketball skills, of course, but I've always thought he was an arrogant, nasty, small-minded punk, and he's never proven me wrong...until now. It may be he's putting on an act to look like Mr. Clean on the international stage, but I doubt it. From the way he's playing to the things he's saying and the way he's saying them, I think he really has bought into the concept of this team, where instead of being the biggest superstar, he's a guy with an important role to fill. I like the way he's taken the relatively unglamorous role of designated defender--I hate to say it, but that actually looks like good leadership.

to: Hawk | 9:58 a.m | 1:46 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Regardless of what Kobe fans think, LeBron is the best player on any floor and is a classy individual as well. Hats off to him and the US team.

Fixed that for you.

AzJazzFan to Deutsch | 1:59 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

This is funny: 106-57. The center Kamen doesn't even know any German. If you think the Jazz is a poor team than explain your rationale for them being in the playoffs again the past two years and the only NBA team with two Olympians. Que viva los Jazz!

Moto X | 2:21 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Kobe is professional at "saying the right thing". Do I believe a single word out of the guys mouth? Not a chance.

Kobes entire life is one huge act and that is why he belongs in LA...right along with the rest of phony actors down there.

In the NBA, Kobe fakes that he gets fouled on every play and then after the game he gives all the "right" (fake) comments to reporters. Who buys this? His actions and trail of behavior speaks louder than his words. He has zero credibility.

I would take LeBron all day long....on and off the court.

boring | 2:25 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

If America keeps winning the basketball gold medal every 4 years,
we will have to remove it from the Olympics!

OLYMPIC COMMITTEE-

heh

German here | 3:19 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Is anybody really surprised? This US team is stacked with 12 potential MVP candidates. Germany's got one. Didnt expect such a bad blowout but anybody really surprised the US is playing that well?

AL | 4:41 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

To boring:

We should then eliminate gymanastics because the Chinese win that all the time....and that is with little girls who are not even sixteen. Why should they be allowed to use underage girls to win?

Basketball should be more level anyway but if other teams use NBA players from their country why shouldn't we be allowed to?

Calgary Jazz | 4:51 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

oh, everybody is so excited about meaningless match. We will see how well US play in elimination games. True games are just starting right now.

to AL | 6:06 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Basketball should be more level anyway]]]-

I remember when we used to win with college level players.
More exciting games.
But then Russia salted the teams with professionals.

/We still won most of the games.

re hawk | 8:12 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

sure, anybody would be classy on the world stage with the letters USA on your chest....

BBall Fan | 12:05 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Like most people I was anxious for the return of the glory days of the "Dream Team". This group sure looks like that has been accomplished. But for me, it just isn't as much fun to watch the games when they are all blow-outs. So far, the games have all been like watching the "Globetrotters". That's only fun for a few minutes. Here's hoping for some competition in the medal rounds just to keep it interesting.

AzJazzFan | 1:45 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Regarding pros in the the Olympics, it is nice to see NBA All-stars play for something worthwhile and to have the opportunity to see the finest group of basketball playes together on the planet. The same cannot be said of the other major sports in the US. Also I don't mind seeing other NBA players lead their countries.

Go Team USA | 8:10 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Take it to 'em boys!

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7 photos

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Carlos Boozer and Dwyane Wade of the United States celebrate their 106-57 win over Germany in the men's basketball preliminaries at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium on Day 10 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Gallery (7 photos)