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Utah Jazz: Americans back atop hoops world

Good thing we had coach Mike! Who was the not-so-coach in Athens ?

larry brown

Very good for the image of the NBA which untill now
looked pretty bad.

I was caught off gaurd during the medal ceremony. When all the Americans had there hands over there hearts, and a couple where singing along with the national anthem. Including Kobe in the NBA these guys never even pay attention to it. They can't even put there hand over there heart.
These guys totally deserved that medal, even Boozer who didn't even get to play. Boozer may not be the best defender, but he can make freethrows and rebound something Dwight Howard can't do.

The final game was a good one. Two questions in my mind. Why a host of NBA "all stars" were nearly beaten up by Spain in the second game?

What about Boozer? He might as well have worn a cheerleaders uniform for all he contributed to the games.

Fantastic basketball game; enjoyed every minute of it. Anyone have an educated guess as to why Carlos Boozer basically didn't get to play in the games? Almost an insult to him to be given only "garbage time" minutes?

Well at least we don't have to be too worried about Booz being worn down from the Olympics... he barely played!

You can count me as one of the skeptical ones throughout the Olympics - I thought the players' rhetoric about playing for the US and wanting a gold as much as an NBA championship was just for show.

But that celebration may have proven me wrong.

I am glad the US got the gold metal. It`s to bad that NBC didn`t so the game on tape delay so everyone could have seen it.

Come on Eddie! That's a cheap shot on Boozer. It wasn't his choice to sit on the bench for a good share of the games. Why do you feel the need to belittle somebody who really deserves a little respect? I play my position on the sofa as well as the next guy, but seriously... Any of these players that I talk about over a beer would eat my lunch on the court. How about you Eddie? I didn't see you on the court either. Are you writing from the US? We won man. I feel happy about the win, even though I didn't even touch the ball. Don't you feel happy? Of course, all of the team mates are happy about the win, as they should be.

Actually Kidd, and Dwill always have their hands over their hearts during the regular season and there may be a few more as well.

But most of them do sit with their heads bowed and their arms crossed behind their backs at least showing some reverance if they don't cover their hearts.

D-Will played some nice minutes throughout these games. Good experience.

Boozer--too slow for this style of hoop.

International basketball is sure different. It was nice to see all of the "superstars" NOT getting ridiculous fouls called for them. The difference was that they knew it so they really did not whine too much either. I think coach K beat that into their heads--don't waste your time whining--everyone gets hacked to death compared to the NBA.

Just goes to show what a reffing farce the NBA is. The first game of the season Kobe will be back to wrinkling up his face and whining when every shot does not drop--begging for his usual foul calls to put him on the line again and again and again and again.

Just goes to show the NBA is more about money and "creating" offensive stars than it is about "real" competition. Did not see Kobe and Lebron dropping 30 points EVERY game in the Olympics did we? Now you know what they would be without the NBA refs giving them an extra 10 pts/game. Donaghy????

Unfortunately I am addicted to the Jazz so I have to watch it.

Boozer, yes, can shoot free throws, unlike Dwight Howard. But Howard is a beast on the boards. Give him some more killer instinct and he'll carry his teams far.

When Stockton got injured from the Jordan knee and didn't play all that much in '92, no one said he didn't deserve the Gold?? Get off Boozer's back....(which I think it the cause of his struggles) We should be honored that we have two new Olympians from the Utah Jazz. There is no team which can claim this kind of representation over the years.

The Americans looked really anxious and over-energized. They were trying to blow Spain away too quickly, playing too much as individuals and not as a team. They got away from the "system" style of basketball that had allowed them to be so dominate prior to this game. Thankfully, D-WADE had an amazing individual performance. Otherwise, I fear we would be celebrating the silver medal right now.

Good job DWill and Booz. You guys make me proud to be a Jazz fan and even prouder to be an American. Finally, something to cheer about as an American.

Being an athlete for many years I was always taught to celebrate like you've either done it before or you can do it again. Our heavy favorited team jumped around and celebrated like they just conquered rights to the moon. This tells the world that even the spoiled U.S. basketball players know the world has caught up with them.

Did you get past the first grade? Do you know basic reasoning/math skills. There are two clear points as to why they aren't averaging their usual points per game average. First off they play less minutes as a result of the international game (10 min quarters) and secondly, there is a massive difference in talent sitting on the bench. These players simply don't need to score that many points. However, I do agree on one thing you said, which was the way the international game is played. They allow much more physicality. Although there is a huge difference in the quality of refs. The calls were far from consistant. I know...I know...the same argument can be made for the NBA, but there was a clear difference with the international refs.

re Salute??

Ya, your right, Dwight Howard can't rebound much. He only led the NBA last season at 14.2/game!!!!

Last season Howard also shot nearly 60% from the field to boot. His FT% is a bit of an issue but less of one since he rarely misses. Kind of like who didn't want shaq in his prime? Duh?

There is not a person with a brain who would not trade Boozer all day long and twice on Sundays for Dwight Howard. Our inside defensive black hole would disappear overnight and we would be hanging up a championship banner.

D-Will to Dwight Howard?? That would be unstoppable in the NBA.

You are either completely clueless to make a statement like that or more likely someone who posts obvious innaccuracies to incite banter.

Detroit Pistons, Billups would have been on the team this year (which would left left d will out) and weren't three pistons on the national team only a year or so ago? I'm not sure I'm just asking.