Team USA’s Historic Gold Medal + Future Of Olympic Basketball For LA 2028
Digest
This podcast delves into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, offering insights and analysis on various aspects of the games. The hosts, located in Salzburg, Austria, and Texas, begin by discussing the NBA and a chaotic incident during a live broadcast in Paris. They then move on to the women's gold medal game, highlighting Gabby Williams' buzzer-beating shot and comparing it to the "Miracle on Ice." The hosts also discuss Steph Curry's performance in the men's gold medal game, praising his clutch three-pointers and the pressure on Team USA to win. The podcast then shifts to the Lakers' roster construction, arguing that the team has been poorly built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, leading to their recent struggles. The hosts also discuss Victor Wembanyama's confident quotes after the Olympics, highlighting his potential to become a dominant force in the NBA. They analyze Serbia's bronze medal win and their coach's complaints about the officiating. The podcast continues to explore Victor Wembanyama's confidence and his potential to become a dominant player, comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki. They discuss Jason Tatum's role on Team USA and the criticism he received for not playing more minutes, arguing that the team's decisions were based on FIBA framework, not NBA standards. The hosts also analyze Steve Kerr's coaching decisions and the challenges of coaching Team USA, highlighting the need for a multi-year program to stay competitive in the future.
Outlines
NBA Discussion and Unexpected Paris Incident
The podcast begins with introductions and a brief discussion about the NBA. The hosts are located in Salzburg, Austria, and Texas. Brian McMahon recounts a chaotic incident during a live NBA broadcast in Paris, where a dog without a leash ran into the shot, causing a microphone cable to be pulled and equipment to fall.
Women's Gold Medal Game and Steph Curry's Performance
Brian McMahon discusses the women's gold medal game between Team USA and France, highlighting Gabby Williams' buzzer-beating shot and the close nature of the game. He compares it to the "Miracle on Ice" and calls it "dangerously close" to a "Miracle on the Sun." The hosts discuss Steph Curry's performance in the men's gold medal game, where he led Team USA to victory over France. They highlight his clutch three-pointers and the immense pressure on the team to win.
Lakers' Roster Construction and Victor Wembanyama's Potential
The hosts discuss the Lakers' roster construction and how it has hindered LeBron James's ability to compete for championships. They argue that the team has been poorly built around him and Anthony Davis, leading to their irrelevance in recent years. The hosts discuss Victor Wembanyama's confident and arrogant quotes after the Olympics, highlighting his belief in his own abilities and his potential to become a dominant force in the NBA.
Serbia's Bronze Medal and Victor Wembanyama's Skillset
The hosts discuss Serbia's bronze medal win and their coach's complaints about the officiating, particularly in the game against Germany. They also discuss the timing of the bronze medal game and the Serbians' celebrations. The hosts discuss Victor Wembanyama's skillset and compare him to Dirk Nowitzki. They believe he has the potential to be a dominant scorer and defender, but needs to focus on his shooting and avoid trying to be a primary ball-handler.
Jason Tatum's Role on Team USA and Steve Kerr's Coaching Decisions
The hosts discuss Jason Tatum's role on Team USA and the criticism he received for not playing more minutes. They argue that the team's decisions were based on FIBA framework, not NBA standards, and that Tatum's performance in the NBA doesn't necessarily translate to international play. The hosts discuss Steve Kerr's coaching decisions and the challenges of coaching Team USA. They argue that Kerr's decisions were based on the team's overall success and that he was criticized for not playing certain players, despite the team's dominance.
Three-on-Three Basketball and the Future of Team USA
The hosts discuss the future of Team USA and the challenges they face in 2028. They highlight the rise of international players and the need for Team USA to develop a multi-year program to stay competitive.
Keywords
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama is a French professional basketball player who is considered one of the most highly touted prospects in recent years. He is known for his exceptional height, skillset, and confidence.
Steph Curry
Stephen Curry is an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters of all time. He is known for his revolutionary three-point shooting and his ability to create his own shot.
LeBron James
LeBron James is an American professional basketball player widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He is known for his versatility, athleticism, and leadership.
FIBA
FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) is the international governing body for basketball. It organizes international competitions, including the Olympics and the World Cup.
Team USA
Team USA is the national basketball team of the United States. It has dominated international basketball for decades, winning numerous Olympic gold medals and World Cup titles.
Olympics
The Olympic Games are a major international sporting event held every four years. Basketball is one of the most popular sports at the Olympics.
NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the world. It is known for its high level of competition and its global popularity.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is a German former professional basketball player who is considered one of the greatest European players of all time. He is known for his unique one-legged fadeaway jump shot and his dominance in the NBA.
Jason Tatum
Jason Tatum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Boston Celtics. He is considered one of the best young players in the NBA and has won an NBA championship.
Q&A
What was the most memorable moment from the Olympics for the hosts?
The hosts agree that Steph Curry's clutch three-pointer in the gold medal game against France was the most memorable moment.
What is the biggest takeaway from the Olympics regarding the Lakers' roster construction?
The hosts believe that the Lakers have been poorly built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, leading to their irrelevance in recent years.
What is Victor Wembanyama's potential in the NBA?
The hosts believe that Victor Wembanyama has the potential to be a dominant force in the NBA, but needs to focus on his shooting and avoid trying to be a primary ball-handler.
Why was there so much criticism of Jason Tatum's role on Team USA?
The hosts argue that the criticism of Tatum's role was based on NBA standards, not FIBA framework, and that his performance in the NBA doesn't necessarily translate to international play.
What are the challenges facing Team USA in the future?
The hosts believe that Team USA faces challenges in 2028 due to the rise of international players and the need for them to develop a multi-year program to stay competitive.
What is the significance of the women's gold medal win for Team USA?
The women's gold medal win tied the Chinese in gold medals and gave the United States the overall medal count lead.
What is Brian McMahon's opinion on the Olympics?
Brian McMahon believes that the Olympics were a success, with well-organized logistics and a generally positive experience.
Show Notes
Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to talk the impact of Team USA’s dramatic gold medal victory including Steph Curry’s heroics, Embiid’s significance to the team, LeBron’s astonishing production, the rationale behind Tatum’s limited minutes and more. Plus, the crew questions if LeBron & AD’s production calls into question the Lakers’ recent inability to build around them, Victor Wembanyama’s brilliance & incredibly bright future right away and look ahead to LA 2028 and beyond.
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