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U.S.A.

The U.S.A. basketball team lost to Greece.
Am I shocked? Not really.
Growing up, I'm only 24, the U.S. ran the table. But a couple of years ago something happened. I'm not exactly sure what happened between those times, but something happened.
The final score was U.S.'s 95, to Greece's 101.
It's not a big loss for the U.S., but I'm guessing it’s a big win for Greece. I, much like the men of "Pardon the Interruption," can't name a single Greek player.
Why is that?
I guess I have a narrow-minded view of every professional sport - except soccer - that's not played in the U.S.
Here's my run down.
Baseball, nope (It’s still technically played in some type of "America). Football, nope. Hockey, not really. Basketball, why would I?

Back to "what happened over the years."
I blame And 1.
For those who don't know, And 1 is a basketball shoe that developed a video a number of years back that glorified street basketball.
Real "street basketball" is basketball played to how best humiliate the opponent. Who really cares if the game is won or lost as long as the crowd was excited.
Kids in the U.S. basketball organization are in direct relationship to that culture.
It's more about getting to the hoop then settling for the outside jump shot. Last time I check a 3 was worth more than a 2.
Maybe I'm ranting because I can't dunk. Maybe I'm ranting because I've enjoyed the And 1 culture and think it needs to stop.
It was fun at first, with Skip to My Lou (he's a basketball player) but how many times can you dribble through your legs and around the opposing team with flare?
It basically shows a lack of fundamentals. That’s why the Spurs, Pistons and other well coached teams win in the NBA. The Heat's championship was a fluke. Dwayne Wade is amazing and nobody on the Mavs could stop him.
The U.S. had hope. The team is highly skilled, but can't shoot outside, or from the foul line very well.
No surprise here.
My advice, get rid of And 1.

Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)