Stealing the ball so easily was just not well done. Luke was good otherwise.

But, remember how he turned around game 2 of the 2004 NBA finals as a rookie?

I hope this is the last of Luke's Hollywood career and works on his game instead.

Martin:

I remember that but then he disappeared. I am always very suspicious of "breakout" games like that. I kept waiting for Luke to do it again but it was almost a full year and one collapse of confidence later that he started playing good again. Reminding me of Stuart Gray of the Bruins.

Tom

Laker Tom,

As long as some folks (including myself) are amused, I'm good. Random, fun stuff will always find its way into the mix.

AK

hey, they're getting 200-400 comments per article
and basketballs not even in season. akbk got it together. hope smush been working on that mid range jumper. luke too. and the thunder dunk also.

Et tu, Luke?

Et tu?

GO LAKERS!

GOD AWFUL!

And, that's good news. Luke won't be gettin' distracted by dreams of becoming a movie star and he will stay focused on his game.

Perfect!

--Fearless

LUKE DONT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

Ha ha. What bad acting by Luke. Phil should use that clip in the game preparation when the playoffs come. ha ha ha

I just heard on espn that lakers are interested in bringing starbury for odom. But isiah wants smush instead. isiah doesn't thinks that odom will mesh with the team but he is very high on smush. kupcake doesn't wants to lose smush either. according kupcake smush will be an all star this year and the leading scorer for the lakers.

Remember the Waltons?

Good night Aaron, good night Grandma, good night John Boy, Good night Luke.

Don't be surprised to see him and Bynum involved in a last minute trade.

They'll both look good in Purple, Silver and Black. We'll give you the Russian.

Wow, team USA lost to Greece! It was Kobe Bryant's fault.

mike

As for Luke Walton...gee...that was BAD! LOL! What possessed him to do that? LOL! He must have been bored or one of those actresses must have his attention. I think Sharon Newman must have his eye. LOL!

mike

I am excluding Anthony from the inconsistent, uninspired play of our national team. He showed heart where LeBon and Wade just came up as run of the mill players! I am talking about all the games, not just this last one

Carmello showed a Lot of Heart, and led our team almost in every game!

On-Subject: the rumor is that our Luke will be cast in the next Star Wars as 'Luke'

greek dude,

You should be proud. Greece 101 - USA 95!

But honestly, I'm not that suprised. Greece is a strong team and by far USA biggest challenge yet.

But with no Kobe Bean or (soon to be) "Allstar Lamar", that team is still short handed.

>_<

Hate to kill the topic, but USA lost the chance at gold....AGAIN! Which leads me to ask two questions?

1. Would Kobe have made the difference?

I say hec yeah, Kobe alone is a defensive nightmare and the attention he demands would have cleared the lane at every position.

2. Would you change the triangle, get rid of, or just switch it up a little to play like Greek team did or like these world game teams?

Although I love the triangle a lot, I just don't think its a secret anymore and teams have adapted to it over the years. I always been an advocate of setting plays for every position and use those plays according to the teams we play on any given night. The way these countries play basketball proves time in and time out that you don't need superstars to win, just fundamental solid basketball will win games.
I truly think if we change up on the triangle, and go back to setting set plays, and play the rookies a little more, we would be one of the elite teams in the west.

My two cents for free.

Thoughts?

USA Team was upset by Greece. Congratulations Greek Dude, your home country is on the way for Gold Medal. Well, this is a mixed feelings with the Lakers fans and attribute the loss to the absence of Kobe & Lamar. I find it the same result, even if our great Kobe was there cuz' USA couldn't play as a team for intense 40 minutes not only on first half and declare vacation time on the second half. Come Olympic time, they need the likes of Kobe, Duncan and Bowen (if he can still guard young fast PG's). I said it before, the world has caught up with USA brand of basketball & surpassed it. While our college players were enamored by fancy dunking which is only two points, they neglected other fundamentals like free throw shooting, mid-range jump shots nor perfected 3 pts. perimeter shooting. That era in American basketball ended up in Dream Team I with Jordan, Magic, Bird, Barkley showing to the world the best of basketball. While in the case of the Europeans and South Americans, they studied the game of NBA greats concentrated on shooting ala Jerry West, Magic, Jordan, Bird etc., their play was entirely run run and pick & roll or shoot at long range and continuous motions. They seldom go for fancy dunking, alley hoop or power rebound but more on speed and hustle, catch-me-if-you-can type of play.

What's the prescription of victory in the next Olympics? Well, there should be an early formation of the team like going on practice as early as next year to solidify those teamwork and have a continuation of progress of this team under Coach K. Change at least four players on Team USA lineup by injecting Duncan and Kobe, and two college players (w/ Bowen type aggressive defense) who are tall, fast and also hungry to win gold medal for Olf Glory. Lastly, develop a 10-man depth rotation that can be a threat and attract double teams but avoid one-on-one exhibition but more on continuous motion both on offense and defense.

I like Luke, but he is not Bill and will never be. He is still very "green", yuo can take that any way you can and not consistant. He will have to learn how not to balance his great play with silly turnovers. If I get a good deal , I would trade him in a minute. Just look at his overall stats. The growth has not been there http://www.nba.com/lakers/stats/2005/index.html . Almost two turnovers a game with limited playing time.

I would like to party with Luke and get real "green", but if the right deal came up, its puff, puff the magic dragon. He is not a PT'er BABY !!!!!!!!

Confusious say: Whenever you get there, there you are.

to 'KO'BE or not to 'KO'BE thats WAS the question:

Last NIGHT I stayed up watchin the USAiers loose to a GREECE team that supposedly CAN'T shoot. that team had LBJ, whom everybody keeps calling the KING, DWADE, whom everybody compares with KOBE, and a team USA that other than a SELF CENTERED MELO making shots, does not have CRAP to offer. they need a guy that can take over. a guy that can PULL UP and make it from ANYWHERE who if needed can DRIVE and make it inside can DEFEND the premeter. a guy who can MAKE OTHERS better and can CAPITAN USA. it is now OBVIOUS to even the people that don't UNDERSTAND and just KNOW that team USA to be successful NEEEEEEEDDDDDDSSSSS CAPITAN KOBE. "KOBE making others better?" RAYRAY, I can't believe you're asking that question. like I said you KNOW it but to DUMB to UNDERSTAND it.

this is a WARNING

during the upcoming SEASON if anybody start talking about how LBJ is better than KOBE or DWADE kicks KOBE's ass and SO ON, I'll make sure I tell them to SHUT DA .... UP. EXCEPT Sonny who's BASKETBALLY CHALLENGED and is EXCUSED.

SONNY

Dude I've been trying to tell you this but I needed a good time to say it. BROTHER, in behalf of myself, ROBERT HORRY and the LAKER nation I appologize to you and all the QUEENS in the world for that BUZZER BEATER 3. that's kinda become the SACTO QUEENS signature moment. like JERRY WEST 40 footer or KOBE to SHAQ ALY-OOOPS that have become LAKERS signature moments.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START.

I was no fan of D.Wade and now, with this c'ships, he's almost sealed the deal. He was doing the same thing ppl accuse AI and Kobe of, shooting at will. The problem is atleast you've got to have the range. Wade doesnt.
Melo was good, as was Battier. LeBron atleast dint try to showcase himself, though he dint help greatly either.

We needed Redd. The guy can shoot. Kobe would've been useful too, as he can shoot decent and can defend really well at times.

I dont know if this idea of sending the best talent, after allowing them to mesh for just a coupla months works. Its a process. It would've been interesting if we had sent a really good NBA team, which has great chemistry, with a few additions.

To see USA basketball suffer through team play hurts. In a way, it reflects the culture we are turning into. Individualistic. We develop the best basketball athletes who can do it all on the court individually. But when it comes time for team play, our guys suffer from either overconfidence or low team basketball IQ.

Yes, international rules are a little different, the fundamentals stay the same though. I'm tired of making excuses for why we lose. There needs to be a basketball revolution within the ranks of our youngest prospects focusing on basketball fundamentals, sportsmanship and team play. Our guys today need to combine their supreme athleticsm with humbleness and good fundamental play.

For a team with such great players as are on this team to lose a game is just sad. Would Kobe have made a difference? That's all I was thinking about when the USA was down by 6 with 3:30 to go. Knowing Kobe, he probably would've busted like 3 clutch 3's down the stretch to win it. But it never shoud've came to that.

We were letting that big wannabe Shaq get mismatch position down low against smaller players. Where was Dwight Howard or Brad Miller? That was ridiculous. Coach K needs to match the mismatches.

And for our guys to not be able to handle a zone defense is embarrassing for USA basketball. Ball movement fellas! It made me sick to see how many times our guys rushed through that zone only to take a contested shot. It's pure fundamental basketball. An aspect where college comes in handy.

We need a basketball revolution in this country. One that re-focuses on team play and fundamentals. Or we can do this the good ole American way, change the international basketball rules. Or maybe we can introduce the world to American football. Then we can be dominant again, for a few years at least.

Actually international game is four 10 minute quaters. This team gave up 101 points in 40 minutes ... WoW. As for all this talk about Kobe winning it for team USA, nah we got bigger fish to fry. First we win the nba championship, then we can share him with the country. Oh but the olympics ain't until 2008, we should have 2 'ships by then, so yea guess it's ok to yell Kobe to the rescue then.

In Kobe we Trust,
Go Lakers.

Greek Duuuude!!! congrats!!

I don't think it would ave made a difference if Kobe was is there. And its obviously not because he is not the best team in the world, because he is and watching Lebron, Melo, and Dwade choke pretty much proves that. Our guys just don't have the international game, which is basically outside oriented like the Suns. We just can't resist sending our stars who can run and jump through the roof. However, we the game is on the line, it has been the same thing. All these guys want to take over and be "the guy" instead of continuing to play within their offense. Kobe is that guy, but he also will continue to play within the offense. The USA guys totally lost their composure because they are just not that good yet. Putting up stats are great, but when the game is on the line, if you are clanking free-throws, that's it, you're dead. I don't care how good someone thinks particular players are, if you miss free-throws during crunch time, you are not the best. Anyway, I can't wait for the season to start. Go Lakers!

The only thing to blame for the USA lose is there is no blame. These other countries have caught up! It's that simple. We need to send our best everytime. Without Kobe Bryant and Shaq...that was not our best. Those players are young and the sponsers have made them great in the media. But they are not the best. Come on...if not Shaq, why not Ben Wallace?

mike

The problem with team USA is that they are stunned when they lose. Just like most USA fans are stunned. What that means is that both the USA basketball players and the fans still don't respect international basketball. At this point team USA has no right to look down on international basketball as if to lose is to be stunned. That's arrogance! Still thinking that we have the keys to the kingdom. We don't! We have to fight for the Championship. We need to send our best always! Break out the Kobe/Shaq combination and quit F'ing around.

mike

Peter Maguire,

I agree with almost everything you said except for Allen Iverson. NO WAY! He had his shot to lead a team USA squad. He failed...he's out of the question, in my opinion. Plus how many times during his career did we read about him not wanting to practice? Still he got rewarded for his individual talents but we saw what happened. Never again for Allen Iverson.

mike

Team US simply blew it, and it is a microcosm of the current state of our country's basketball situation. It's been said over and over by many, including: OUR PLAYERS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO SHOOT THE BASKETBALL. I don't know the exact date, but at some point we stopped teaching fundamentals in this country, and that is not a joke. Go watch any little kid's basketball game. They are old enough, 10, 11, 12 years old, and they have trouble making layups... LAYUPS!!! This country seriously needs to take a look at itself. Yes we are to basketball what Brazil is to soccer, and the same thing is happened to us: The world got tired of getting killed by us caught up. We need to ourselves. The days of easy international games are over FOREVER. It's a new world game, and until our country and it's players start understanding that they are no longer the gods of the game (that ended in '92), the current disappointment is going to keep repeating itself, and in fact, get worse. The rest of the world is going to keep getting better, and we are going to keep getting worse.

DO NOT LIE TO YOURSELF. THIS LOSS WAS NOT BAD LUCK. IT WAS NOT A FLUKE. WE WERE NOT THE BEST TEAM.

B.
Cali King

I can't believe it. I totally agree with three of Mike T's posts in a row!!!
Yes, we need to send our best (Shaq, Kobe), no, we shouldn't send AI and I agree we are too arrogant going in and when we lose.
Another thing I'd like to see is the NBA champ playing the FIBA champ instead of our all-star teams playing them without enough time together. In the new plan (having the players give a longer commitment) maybe we'll see better teamwork and cohesiveness in a year or two. Personally my basketball priorities are: Lakers win the NBA title, USA win the gold in the Olympics and thirdly USA win the World Championships.

I'm honestly not surprised at Team USA losing though. I've never liked how Coach K rotated two groups of 5 for 5 minute spurts. He cut that down a bit after the Italy game but I think it was flawed.

There was not nearly enough ball movement and did not run enough of an actual offense. Too much of it was guys just going out there and trying to use their superior athleticism. Why weren't we running screen and rolls with Elton Brand and Brad Miller? That would have mixed things up a bit.

At the end of the day Team USA racked up a whole bunch of wins against scrubs, barely won when they played a decent Italian team and lost to a very good Greek team. The difference between now and when we were dominating is that the rest of the world has caught up to us a bit. We've still got the best athletes but in some ways we don't have the best basketball players.

Also, great teams like Spain, Argentina and Greece have been playing together for years now. Our guys have been together for a little over a month. The fact that these guys have been together for so long coupled with the fact that they've caught up as basketball players means that it's not surprising that we lost. But on the other side of the coin we can say that we didn't put out our absolute best team out there and they only played together for a little over a month and still have a shot at a bronze medal.

I do believe that the future is bright for Team USA. Bring on 07 and 08.

Kobe would have made a difference, because of his defense and outside shooting. AI-depends on his attitude in practice, because they are learning a new system, new rules, and new teammates, so practice is absolutely vital; he is not that great a shot, but if he hustled on defense he would be a pretty good addition.

Shaq-probably the worst possible choice for this team. Horrible FT shooter, no outside game, doesn't like to go outside on defense, in poor shape.

rdlee:

You are a perfect example of what the problem with our game is. People in this country think we are somehow better, more important than the rest the world. We think our locals champs are better than anywhere else. That used to be true. Not anymore. If our country keeps thinking the way it is, the way you do, we are going to continue to lie to ourselves with our local game, and keep falling behind the rest of the world, and at the same time display the American arrogance that continually rubs the rest of the world the wrong way. Do you really think that our own little league championship is some kind of consolation for getting embarrassed internationally? THAT'S A JOKE. WE ARE NOT THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

If you want to do the rest of the world a favor, then keep thinking the way you do. It will keep making their lives easier.

B.
Thee Cali King

rdlee:

You are a perfect example of what the problem with our game is. People in this country think we are somehow better, more important than the rest the world. We think our locals champs are better than anywhere else. That used to be true. Not anymore. If our country keeps thinking the way it is, the way you do, we are going to continue to lie to ourselves with our local game, and keep falling behind the rest of the world, and at the same time display the American arrogance that continually rubs the rest of the world the wrong way. Do you really think that our own little league championship is some kind of consolation for getting embarrassed internationally? THAT'S A JOKE. WE ARE NOT THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

If you want to do the rest of the world a favor, then keep thinking the way you do. It will keep making their lives easier.

B.
Thee Cali King

I agree with Mike T, Shaq and Kobe need to be reunited in 2008 for the sake of the country.

My USA line-up for 2008:

Kidd
Kobe
Battier
Brand
Shaq

2nd Team:

Paul
Wade
LeBron
Rasheed
Duncan

Specialists:

Carmelo
Ray Allen
Ben Wallace

Lakofan...

That was very insightful of you to pick up on Kobe's assessment of the international game as being much more physical than the NBA version. The Greek team manhandled the USA and players such as LeBron, DWade and Chris Paul did not make the adjustment. Much like in '04, when Tim Duncan could not deal with the physicality of the international game and the lack of "superstar" calls that the NBA is known for. Dwayne Wade got roughed up on the regular and did not have the benefit of the touch fouls that allowed him to go to the foul line 20+ times a game during the playoffs. LOL! I also find it hard to believe that Coach K couldn't find more playing time for Bosh, Howard and Brand. By choosing to go small, it seemed that he allowed the basket area to become more vulnerable. I guess that that Akron journalist was correct...no way this team needed that selfish ass Kobe Bryant! I hope that the experience gained on this level will motivate and propel the USA national team to success in the next Olympics. I also hope that the upsurge in international basketball will send David Stern and the NBA's rules committee back to the drawing board. The NBA game has taken a turn towards becoming a league that is about marketing and the anointing of individual stars at the expense of basketball excellence and team play. Players such as LBJ, Wade and Duncan find it difficult to excel on the world stage where the rules are not skewed in their favor.

Carmelo is the lone superstar with class on team USA. While Wade and LeBron just slithered away after the loss, Carmelo stayed on the court, waited for the lengthy Greek celebration, and congratulated them. He was the high pointer in this game as in most games. Our best player, more heart, more consistency than any other.

Thanks Carmelo for being a Gentleman and representing us well.

Baywood

Mike T,

On firree r weee? Great point on the 82 games deing detrimental to the quality of defense.

In Kobe we Trust,
Go Lakers

Taliq,

"On a scale of 1-10, this loss is like a 0 compared that to what I felt when Tim Thomas drained that 3 pointer in game 6."

As much as I love the Lakers, yeah they are my first basketball priority but this, USA losing is not a good thing. As far as basketball goes this is not good. I guess at this point it's my American pride that is kind of embarrassed. On a scale of 1-10 this is a 10 in disappointment. Yeah, I confess that I didn't want LeBron James to get all the glory but I didn't want them to lose. But deep in my heart...I kind of knew it was coming because those players were not our best players.

mike

I just think that the biggest problem that the USA national team has is the transistion from NBA rules to international rules. Especially in regards as to how fouls are called.

Xodus..I hated to see the USA lose. But, I have to admit that a certain part of me feels justified for reserving judgement on the "greatness" of LBJ and DWade. These players, for all of their potential, still have much to prove and accomplish.

Everyone says that the rest of the world has caught up to USA basketball, but I think that the USA has digressed, too. Does anyone think that the 2006 Greek team would have beaten Dream Team One?

Rocky,

Coach K? I think he epitomizes exactly what is wrong with USA basketball. He, coach K, is a great coach. But even his greatness wasn't enough to save us. This is all about the humbling of the American. We are a market culture. Look at the bill boards it's King James. Look at the new prince of the NBA Dwayne Wade. Bring the greatest, active, college coach we have. He'll know how to handle this situation appropriately. Yeah, right! It's not enough! There are no more gimics left in the American basketball bag of tricks. Bring on the big boys! Kobe/Shaq! And bring back our pride.

mike

The thoughtfulness behind many of the comments is impressive.

Phil Jackson coaching team USA? What would he do? Run the triangle? It would take too long to pick-up. And then when they lose what will Tex Winters say? They didn't run the triangle properly?

mike

***Greece 101 – USA 95***

Let me be the first to say that I am actually glad that Team USA lost. I was really getting sick of all the talk that the young guys from the class of 2003 – Lebron, Wade, and Melo – didn’t need Kobe or that the team was better of without him. Serves them, the media, and all the naysayers right for the anti-Kobe venom they either spouted or didn’t refute.

It will be interesting to see how the anti-Kobe media spin this. Probably that Kobe was selfish by having his knee operated on during the offseason and should have played for Team USA and then had his operation and missed the first half of the NBA season.

As Time magazine just published: “it may be time to knock the halo off Mike Krzyzewski's head.” They should include no defense LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. Talk about being shredded by the pick and roll and lack of a take-the-game-over superstar in the clutch.

This loss will be forgotten when reigning NBA champion teammates Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom lead the USA team to victory in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. That will be the frosting on the cake that will elevate Kobe and the Lakers to their rightful spot at the pinnacle of the basketball world.

Tom

greek dude:

Congratulations. Don’t be shy about supporting your team. Greece played great and you deserve the opportunity to rub it in while still being a good sport about it.

Now maybe you’ll believe that there is a chance that Farmar will start for the Lakers when the regular season opens. What were the odds that Greece would upset Team USA?

Tom

Here's a question for all Laker fans. Since we often debate and hear that the overall Laker roster is less talented or athletic than other teams who are the elite of the league, why wouldn't we adopt a style and strategy of these European squads? Are you telling me that there's a team in the NBA better than Team USA? We could teach Luke and LO to run backdoor cuts, Kobe to pick and roll with Kwame, etc. Hell, any team in the NBA could run this strategy, not pay for max players like Lebron, Wade, and Carmelo and win rings. Just hire a Euroleague coach and do it their way.

Also, who's to say the NBA is more entertaining than foreign basketball? I love watching well coached teams execute, much more so than some guy dribbling around trying to break down a defense one-on-one.

Anyway, I wanted Team USA to win, but I think this recent streak of the USA being unsuccessful is great for the overall health of basketball. Maybe we'll start seeing teams get back to basketball played by the Knicks, Celtics, and Lakers of the 70s and 80s, that was entertaining.

Brand and Miller both could have been put to better use. In Sacramento, Bonzai called Brad the "point center". He can also knock down 17 footers like nobody's business. That's why they kept him on the team, not for his physical prowess or superstardom.

The American mentality it seems, at the end of the day, is to have superstars save the day. It doesn't work that way anymore and hasn't for some time. That's why we are no longer tops in international play.

We need to get back to basics and find the trim tab, or putting it in an eastern discipline, employ skillful means. Use the team intelligently. Get 5 for 1. USA has by far the best athletes.

It is also for this reason that the Kings are going to pummel the Brokebacks this coming season.

In my opinion, Phil should be the head coach for Team USA. He wouldn't be there to implement the triangle. Putting our teams together the way we do there's no way that could happen. We're reduced to running the basic fundamental proven offensive sets. That's what Phil would have to adjust to. Coach K would be an assistant so that shouldn't be a problem.

What we need out of Phil is his game management skills. He has a way of controlling games through his substitution patterns and timely timeouts. And he knows when to let his team work through things. His ego won't allow him to get caught up in the players' battles for the minutes on the court. He'd put the best group out there at all times, playing the match-up's to our advantage. They don't call him the Zen Master for nothing, he's a master at these things; Playing the momentum's and the flow's of the game. He'd even be good for a quote or two to get under the other country's skin.

He'd be perfect for team USA. He'd have the utmost respect of all of the players. He's got the most credentials. He's the best NBA basketball has to offer.

LakerTom, I hope u don't mind if I point out your Laker bias being a true Laker fan. You can't be happy if your home country lost whether George W. Bush was the player. Once they are in international soil, don't think only of your own favorite players but cheer for USA and lose with the team with dignity. Well, Kobe will have his own chances but recommend positive suggestions and analyse where the pitfalls were, not too focused on the negative remarks that are lodged on Kobe. Why stoop down to the level of people criticizing Kobe? If Kobe can forgive and ignore, why can't you? All NBA teams belong to the USA team. As the saying goes, "my loyalty to my team ends, where my loyalty to my country begins".

I hope you don't take my sharp rebuttal on your post as a personal attack on you, it is just a suggestion from a fellow oldtimer that comes from your generation. Out I go, will come back later.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the players we had on team USA, although Kobe certainly would have helped.

Put it this way: If Team USA had Greece or Spain's coaching staff when they started a few months ago, and for the whole tournament, would that have made a difference?

Of course Greece would still have their coaches, as this is a hypothetical question.

Taliq:

I hope you are right. If so, I will always refer to LeBron as LeBronze forever. LeBronze may be the first billionaire basketballer but he ain’t no Kobe. Great play on his name, Taliq.

Tom