2quik4u wrote:

sleeper wrote: If Lebron isn't on the Olympic team, they will not medal. Not just win gold, they will NOT medal, and you can take that to the bank.

well we already saw what happens without kobe

Yeah? A coach that sat Lebron, Wade and Melo? That's basically all we saw. I'd love to see Kobe try to take on the world elite by himself, I wonder how long it'd take for him to throw his team under the bus? He's never won anywhere without a HOF carrying him to title(Shaq, Gasol), so what makes you think he can do shit without arguably the greatest player of all time(LEBRON JAMES)?

sleeper wrote:

2quik4u wrote:

sleeper wrote: If Lebron isn't on the Olympic team, they will not medal. Not just win gold, they will NOT medal, and you can take that to the bank.

well we already saw what happens without kobe

Yeah? A coach that sat Lebron, Wade and Melo? That's basically all we saw. I'd love to see Kobe try to take on the world elite by himself, I wonder how long it'd take for him to throw his team under the bus? He's never won anywhere without a HOF carrying him to title(Shaq, Gasol), so what makes you think he can do shit without arguably the greatest player of all time(LEBRON JAMES)?

lol, no point in arguing with you when you think Lebron is the greatest of all time.

Pau Gasol is not a hall of famer, let's get that straight right now.

Secondly, you take the same team from 2008, minus Kidd (replaced by Billups) and minus Lebron (replaced by Durant) and they will certainly medal barring a big collapse.

Pau Gasol's career is far from over, so I don't see how you're speaking with such certainty regarding his HOF status. His game has never relied on physical gifts and his skills will allow him longevity.

As for Kobe, he is a warrior, unlike LeBron. Kobe has gone to the Finals, won Olympical Gold, Won the Finals, and now is poised for another deep play-off run. He is 31 and battling nagging injuries, and he will be there.

LeBron? He will be filming a movie, courting free agency, and cultivating his business interests.

This, ultimately, is the difference between the two. (At least at this time). Sorry if Cavs fans don't like it, but it's the truth.

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As for Kobe taking on the world's elite... look no further than 2 years ago during the Olympic Gold Medal Game. Spain had just made the run and cut the lead to two. Look who took the team on his shoulders and basically won the game for the US. That's where you'll find your answer.

Sage wrote: Pau Gasol's career is far from over, so I don't see how you're speaking with such certainty regarding his HOF status. His game has never relied on physical gifts and his skills will allow him longevity.

As for Kobe, he is a warrior, unlike LeBron. Kobe has gone to the Finals, won Olympical Gold, Won the Finals, and now is poised for another deep play-off run. He is 31 and battling nagging injuries, and he will be there.

LeBron? He will be filming a movie, courting free agency, and cultivating his business interests.

This, ultimately, is the difference between the two. (At least at this time). Sorry if Cavs fans don't like it, but it's the truth.

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As for Kobe taking on the world's elite... look no further than 2 years ago during the Olympic Gold Medal Game. Spain had just made the run and cut the lead to two. Look who took the team on his shoulders and basically won the game for the US. That's where you'll find your answer.

*waits for gruntled Lebroom fan to point out that the Cav's made it to the finals*

Also, I've changed my position. These players knew exactly what they were getting in to when they signed up. They have to honor their commitment to themselves and to their country (a country, by the way, that has allowed them to amass millions through playing a game).

It's in place to prevent the 2004 fiasco from ever happening again. It's kind of a "broken window" strategy, but I agree with it whole-heartedly.

If LBJ doesn't play, he will be missed, but I still think the US can amass a team that can strike gold without him.

He won't play this summer and he'll play in the Olympics.

End of story.

He is the best player in the world.

Sage wrote: Also, I've changed my position. These players knew exactly what they were getting in to when they signed up. They have to honor their commitment to themselves and to their country (a country, by the way, that has allowed them to amass millions through playing a game).

It's in place to prevent the 2004 fiasco from ever happening again. It's kind of a "broken window" strategy, but I agree with it whole-heartedly.

If LBJ doesn't play, he will be missed, but I still think the US can amass a team that can strike gold without him.

If they won gold without Lebron, all the Lebron fans would be in depression

He ain't entitled to anything. Colangelo would have to sit him out, because then he would lose all credibility with what he's trying to do. He will stick to his guns.

US has plenty of talent.

LeBron will play, end of story.

LeBron is not only the best player in the world (much better than when he was young and won the bronze), he is also the most marketable player right now in all of sports (now that Tiger lost his deals).

People keep bringing up Kobe being the reason for USA winning gold. It helped, but LeBron/Wade/Melo all have matured and developed. LeBron is soo much better now imo.

You guys are just hating because LeBron is going to have the rules switched for him because he is THE BEST in basketball right now.

If he wants to play, then he has to play at World's. Colangelo will stick to his guns. He is that kind of guy. LeBron has NO leverage. It'd be different if this was Argentina... but this is America. We will still be stacked with or without him.

The US will be fine without him. This shouldn't even be an issue. He knew the commitment going in.

Sage wrote: If he wants to play, then he has to play at World's. Colangelo will stick to his guns. He is that kind of guy. LeBron has NO leverage. It'd be different if this was Argentina... but this is America. We will still be stacked with or without him.

The US will be fine without him. This shouldn't even be an issue. He knew the commitment going in.

The thing is, Colangelo won't stick to his guns. His comments are very open to guys like LeBron, Wade, Kobe etc skipping this summer and playing in the Olympics. LeBron and Wade have one of the biggest decisions in their basketball careers coming up that will be very time consuming.

Right there is a valid reason to skip this summer and it will stick.

LeBron will be playing in the Olympics. He is the face of US basketball right now, its hilarious to even argue that he wouldn't have a spot. Not really though cause you just hatin.

^^ I made this point earlier in this thread but free agency is not an excuse to skip this. Free agency begins July 1st and the tournament begins August 28th. Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and most any other big name will be signed by then so that is not a valid excuse to skip this.

If they were to leave Lebron off the team, there are plenty of great players to take his spot and the team won't miss a beat. Here are all the guys who agreed to the 3 year plan for the next Olympics. The USA can go without Lebron and win gold. Colangelo isn't sweating this at all.

Player Team
LaMarcus Aldridge: Portland Trail Blazers
Carmelo Anthony: Denver Nuggets
Chris Bosh: Toronto Raptors
Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles Lakers
Chauncey Billups: Denver Nuggets
Carlos Boozer: Utah Jazz
Kevin Durant: Oklahoma City Thunder
Rudy Gay: Memphis Grizzlies
Eric Gordon: Los Angeles Clippers
Danny Granger: Indiana Pacers
Dwight Howard: Orlando Magic
Andre Iguodala: Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James: Cleveland Cavaliers
Al Jefferson: Minnesota Timberwolves
David Lee: New York Knicks
Brook Lopez: New Jersey Nets
Kevin Love: Minnesota Timberwolves
O.J. Mayo: Memphis Grizzlies
Lamar Odom: Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Paul: New Orleans Hornets
Kendrick Perkins: Boston Celtics
Derrick Rose: Chicago Bulls
Amare Stoudemire: Phoenix Suns
Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat
Gerald Wallace: Charlotte Bobcats
Russell Westbrook: Oklahoma City Thunder
Deron Williams: Utah Jazz

Sage wrote: Also, I've changed my position. These players knew exactly what they were getting in to when they signed up. They have to honor their commitment to themselves and to their country (a country, by the way, that has allowed them to amass millions through playing a game).

Should have stopped arguing with him here, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

They did honor their commitment, they did know exactly what they signed up for. They made a 3 year commitment through the '08 games. And they won gold. They more than honored their commitment and "did the damn thing" for their country. And here is the difference between Kobe and LeBron FANS--they were a fuckin' team. I don't care who the leader was, I was rooting for Kobe as much as LeBron, it's about the name on the front bro.

These players aren't stupid, they made that commitment and already had this year off in the back of their minds. I have no problem with it, personally, I don't even care about the Worlds. The Olympics are all that matter and they'd all be back next season to gear up. They're busy as hell, and I have absolutely no issue on anyone trying to capitalize on their fame. It doesn't last forever. These guys deserve the summer off if you ask me. I would have had no problem with Kobe saying this, or anyone else for that matter. This kind of shit is all Kobe fans have left in the Kobe/LeBron argument.

SQ_Crazies wrote:

Sage wrote: Also, I've changed my position. These players knew exactly what they were getting in to when they signed up. They have to honor their commitment to themselves and to their country (a country, by the way, that has allowed them to amass millions through playing a game).

Should have stopped arguing with him here, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

They did honor their commitment, they did know exactly what they signed up for. They made a 3 year commitment through the '08 games. And they won gold. They more than honored their commitment and "did the damn thing" for their country. And here is the difference between Kobe and LeBron FANS--they were a fuckin' team. I don't care who the leader was, I was rooting for Kobe as much as LeBron, it's about the name on the front bro.

These players aren't stupid, they made that commitment and already had this year off in the back of their minds. I have no problem with it, personally, I don't even care about the Worlds. The Olympics are all that matter and they'd all be back next season to gear up. They're busy as hell, and I have absolutely no issue on anyone trying to capitalize on their fame. It doesn't last forever. These guys deserve the summer off if you ask me. I would have had no problem with Kobe saying this, or anyone else for that matter. This kind of shit is all Kobe fans have left in the Kobe/LeBron argument.

lol I remember you posting last year about how Lebron was the leader of the team

I think he was the leader. He was a captain, and a lot of guys talked about how impressive his leadership was.

If being a leader were based solely on stats, none of us ever would have questioned Kobe's leadership.

well if u didn't care who the leader was, then why post it?

Excuse me for throwing my two cents in...

but you "don't care" tho

LOL, you know why I come on here in the first place? Because I'm bored.

I'd come on and be more bored if I only discussed topics I really care about.

It's almost embarrassing for you that you're trying to start an argument with the guy who said it's all about the name on the front. And people say we're on LeBron's jock? Jesus, look at you...

SQ_Crazies wrote: LOL, you know why I come on here in the first place? Because I'm bored.

I'd come on and be more bored if I only discussed topics I really care about.

It's almost embarrassing for you that you're trying to start an argument with the guy who said it's all about the name on the front. And people say we're on LeBron's jock? Jesus, look at you...

lol before it was all about Lebron but now you have become all high and mighty and claim it is about USA gtfoh

LOL, what are you talking about?

Sounds like Willie Beamen has taken too many hits. He's talkin' all crazy now-a-days.

before you said it was Lebron this lebron that and now your saying its all about team USA and im saying that is bullshit

Link?