If the US played German with Dirk in the Olympics..

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I don't dislike any of the players. Individually, they are all okay. But collectively, they are like a high school team competing with junior highs for the title.

There is just no "sport" in it. And that's what the Olympics are supposed to be about. Either sport, or brilliance. It's okay for there to be a Jesse Owens or a Mark Spitz or a Michael Phelps, where the outcome wasn't much in doubt, as long as what you get instead is something kinda generational. But this basketball team? They are going to win the gold medal walking away, and there isn't going to be anything at all excellent about it.

The hockey team in '80 was the best Olympic moment in most of our lifetimes. Not the "Dream Team" in '92. This year's basketball games will be spectacles, that's for sure--and I will certainly be tuned in, like everyone else--but they will be a long, long way from sport.

Well I certainly can't disagree that they need better competition. That'd be terrific. But why does the current lack of that competition compel you (or anyone else) to actively root against them? There's a bit of a disconnect there.