Re: more pack journalism

["Lance Jacobson" <lancejacob@xxxxxxxxx>]

There is no reason to associate athleticism with loafing on defense or any
other weakness.  But rather the ability to adapt to instantaneous
occurrences.  To adjust the body while in mid-flight to take a hit and still
convert the shot.  To use the good cross-over dribble to beat your defender
and set up a teammate for an easier shot.  To time the block correctly, etc.
Those are some of the athletic traits which the Americans are still the best
at and I suspect they will be advantageous skills as the tournament wears
on.>>Cecil Wright


I just don't understand you.  Athletes don't necessarily loaf.  I love
athletes.  I don't like players that loaf.  If we have athletes, and they work
hard, the USA should beat the lesser athletes that work hard and together in
the foreign teams.  Of course they're good moves are advantageous skills, but
if the cross-over dribble leads to a blocked shot rather than a pass because
the teammates are used to seeing the guy take the shot no matter how much they
help in position, they won't be ready for the pass.

Somehow you read more into my statements than I'm making.  USA has better
athletes.  The Foreigns are more disciplined.  The Foreigns play hard all the
time.

If we play hard all the time, our athletes will beat their disciplined
players, but not by much.  That's my opinion.  If we learn that teamwork would
be a big boon to our quality of play, guys will join the FIBA program earlier
and learn to play together earlier and we'll be better prepared with better
athletes.  Working hard, we should ALWAYS win, as we'd not be outranked in any
area.