Other Team Discussion Thread 11: All Leagues, All Results, All Sports - now with more lacrosse!

Discussion in 'D.C. United' started by Riz, Mar 26, 2009.

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  1. Untroubled by Reason

    Dec 5, 2007
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Color me pessimistic. I don't think Arenas will be the player he once was, and I don't think the Wizards can draft to save their collective a$$.
     
  2. Th4119

    Th4119 Member

    Jul 26, 2001
    Annandale, VA
    Given the last few years and all of the surgeries he's had what could possibly give you the confidence to make this statement? I'm not saying it's impossible for it to come true just that the evidence of recent seasons would beg otherwise.
     
  3. sitruc

    sitruc Member+

    Jul 25, 2006
    Virginia
    Gil showed he is still a level above the rest of the players in his limited play this season. He can be the same player he was or take it a bit easier and be the guy that sets everybody up and then takes over in the fourth if he needs to. Depending on what Flip decides to do, he doesn't have to be what he was since the team is better. He could have played much more this season, but there was no reason for it.

    //I wanted to just type that he isn't Ben Olsen, but I felt a tear coming.
     
  4. fatbastard

    fatbastard Member+

    Aug 1, 2003
    Lincoln (ish), Va
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So, college basketball is the greatest sport in the world every March, and if you get the 5th best player out of college and high school combined, he's gonna suck?
    Do most college kids shun the NBA or something? It seems odd with all that high-dollar college talent that the NBA seems to consist of one good player on each of 28 teams, and some of those are out of HS. Seems messed up, and puts the college MLS draft into a better light :)
     
  5. CHICO13

    CHICO13 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Oct 4, 2001
    SECTION 135
    Club:
    The Strongest La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Most college kids shun college now. There are travel teams like in soccer that compete with HS and is throwing the whole system for a loop. If you ask me the better, well rounded team players now come out of Europe and SA.
     
  6. sitruc

    sitruc Member+

    Jul 25, 2006
    Virginia
    It's not that the fifth best player chosen isn't going to be good, but NBA rosters are small and chances are #5 might be a star and not a superstar.
    They're all good, but they might not be NBA level greatness. Many role players could go to other leagues and be stars.
    You don't want to get me started on AAU and other programs now. The stuff that goes on with some college basketball recruiting because of those programs could disgust even the most jaded people. AAU is often more about the individuals at the higher levels, but it helps many with development. In recent years there has been an increase in academy programs that do well with fundamentals and team play and surprisingly high school basketball is still good for team play. I think there are plenty of well-rounded team players in the US, but if they aren't a standout in certain categories they won't make the Association. After college, quite a few go on to play in Europe and Asia where they are stars yet they still may not have what it takes when it is time for Summer League in the US. Also, the game is changing. It used to be European for a big man to step out and shoot 3's and now every 7-footer can shoot 3's. While I like some things, I'm glad FIBA is moving towards NBA rules.
     
  7. MattMathai

    MattMathai BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 28, 2004
    Annapolis
    I don't know anything about basketball.

    What does your sentence mean?

    (Serious question.)
     
  8. sitruc

    sitruc Member+

    Jul 25, 2006
    Virginia
    It means I crossed thoughts and didn't notice it at all. I was going to mention European big men traditionally being softer(not as physical inside) than big men in the US, but I decided that didn't matter and shooting ability was the only thing that mattered to my post. I fixed it.
     
  9. MattMathai

    MattMathai BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 28, 2004
    Annapolis
    Ah so. Thanks.
     
  10. bigredfutbol

    bigredfutbol Moderator
    Staff Member

    Sep 5, 2000
    Woodbridge, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't know Basketball that well, but my impression is that you are right, and the reason for this is that they still play BB as a team sport outside the USA.
     
  11. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    QFT. The NBA Draft Lottery makes no sense to me. It only gives the worst teams a chance to be screwed, again.
     
  12. Untroubled by Reason

    Dec 5, 2007
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The lottery traces it roots back to when bad teams were accused of phoning it in at the end of the year to get a higher pick in the draft, which, if you're not going to make the playoffs anyway, kinda makes sense from an organizational perspective. Doesn't exactly endear you to the season ticket holders, though...
     
  13. Bootsy Collins

    Bootsy Collins Player of the Year

    Oct 18, 2004
    Capitol Hill
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, it's not just that (although that's part of it). There's also more of a stress on fundamentals. Like MAKING YOUR DAMN FREE THROWS.

    College ball is much more of a team sport than NBA ball is. That's one of the reasons it's much better.
     
  14. John L

    John L Member+

    Sep 20, 2003
    Alexandria, VA
    Pro basketball is all about making television highlights on the evening news - Even if your team really sucks, there will always enough flashy plays for a 5-10 sec highlight reel - Shot clock set at 24 sec, ban on zone defenses (although its allowed now, its not used nearly as much as in college), allowing more fouls before going out, looser interpretation of walking, etc - All these are geared towards making a more flashy-looking version of basketball - But certainly NOT a better, more team-oriented version
     
  15. MattMathai

    MattMathai BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 28, 2004
    Annapolis
  16. Bolivianfuego

    Bolivianfuego Your favorite Bolivian

    Apr 12, 2004
    Fairfax, Va
    Club:
    Bolivar La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Not just you, but one of the world's favorite, his longeivity alone makes you a fan!
     
  17. The Cold Sea

    The Cold Sea Señor Mejor

    Feb 17, 2005
    The District
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
  18. MattMathai

    MattMathai BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 28, 2004
    Annapolis
    It's strange that my three most favorite all-time players are Italian.

    Donadoni, Baresi, Maldini.

    I always liked how these players played and conducted themselves.
     
  19. The Cold Sea

    The Cold Sea Señor Mejor

    Feb 17, 2005
    The District
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Class, class and class. AC Milan used to be tolerable on the field.
     
  20. MattMathai

    MattMathai BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 28, 2004
    Annapolis
    One of my proudest possessions is a jersey signed by Donadoni.

    It's a crying shame that it's a 1996 Metrostars one.
     
  21. RedAndBlack

    RedAndBlack New Member

    Jun 28, 2007
    Maryland
    Can't believe Boca is out of the Copa Lib already :(
     
  22. The Cold Sea

    The Cold Sea Señor Mejor

    Feb 17, 2005
    The District
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    That is sad.
     
  23. Untroubled by Reason

    Dec 5, 2007
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Roberto Donadoni (along with Jaime Moreno) is one of the rare players on whom the taint of the Metroscum does not remain. I think it's their class that repels it, actually. :D
     
  24. griffin1108

    griffin1108 BigSoccer Supporter

    Dec 5, 2003
    Virginia
    I prefer to believe Moreno was on vacation during his absence in 2003.
     
  25. sitruc

    sitruc Member+

    Jul 25, 2006
    Virginia
    I thought the league was still on break in 2003 and play didn't resume until the 2004 season when United won another MLS Cup.
     

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