2008 Nba-olympics Basketball!

Congratulations to those players seleted for the United States Men's Olympic Basketball Team from Coach Jamaal of Boise's Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227- the everything basketball website!!! This year the Olympic Summer Games are being held in Beijing, China...the home of "chow Mein," lo Mein, ans Coach J's favorite- szchezwaun beef!!! The USA Basketball Executive Committee is responsible for the selection process and let's just say it's great to select from the NBA who plays host to the most extraordinary basketball talent in the world!!!

Mike Krzyzewski of the storied Duke University NCAA basketball program in Durham, North Carolina (ACC), is the Head Basketball Coach of the United States Olympic Basketball Senior Team. Nate McMillan, Mike D'Antoni and Jim Boeheim of the Portland Trailblazers, New York Knicks and Syracuse Univerity, respectively, are USA the Olympic Basketball Assistant Coaches for the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing, China.

Team members include these National Basketball Association stars!

Carmelo Anthony- Denver Nuggets; the explosive Carmelo Anthony is a versatile NBA talent from Baltimore, Maryland and Syracuse University. With an NCAA basketball championship he's now paired up with Allen Iverson ("The Answer") in Denver with hope of bringing a title to the Mile High City! 
Chris Bosh- Toronto Raptors; Chris Bosh is a phenomenal leaper with unparalleled basketball skills in the paint. Chris Bosh's athleticism makes for exciting NBA dunks and "rim shakers!" NBA basketball at its finest and will be fireworks to see him paired up, on the basketball hardwood, with the likes of Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) and LeBron ("King") James (Cleveland Cavaliers)!
Michael Redd- Milwaukee Bucks; Michael Redd's terrific long range game is TOPPS in the NBA and during Olympic play it will be enteresting to see him play bombs away against international basketball teams. Michael Redd played collegiately at Ohio State University.
Deron Williams- Utah Jazz; Deron Williams has both a strong basketball inside game and outside jumper. Slashes his way through opponents with penetration similar to a vibrant "Rookie" basketball version of Gary Payton (The Glove- from Oregon State University). Deron Williams played collegiately at the University of Illinois (Big 10/NCAA)
Chris Paul- New Orleans Hornets; Chris Paul had arguably the best season of all National Basketball Association (NBA) players and and some basketball fans, writers and critics, feel as though he should have won the NBA's MVP award. Chris Paul is a versatile Point Guard with a knack for penetrating the lane and creating havok for defenders, as big men in the middle have to converge, leaving wide open jump shots for Chris Paul's (CP's) teammates in New Orleans. The New Orleans Hornets are having an exciting time with NBA basketball and Olympic basketball fans will be watching one of the best point guards in the modern NBA! Chris Paul played for the Wake Forrest Demon Deacons of the NCAA's Atlantic Coast Conference (notable ACC basketball programs: Duke University, University of Maryland, North Carolina State University, Florida State University and University of North Carolina).
Tayshaun Prince- (Coach Jamaal's)! Detroit Pistons; Tayshaun Prince is a wirey, smooth shooting guard with great touch. Coach Jamaal Al-Din of Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227 grew up as a Detroit Pistons fan, watching Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, Mark Aguire and Dennis Rodman. It will be basketball heaven to watch Tayshaun Prince teamed up with guards like Chris Paul (Wake Forest Deamon Deacons/ New Orleans Hornets) and Deron Williams (University of Illinois "Fighting" Illini/ Utah Jazz). Tayshaun Prince played NCAA basketball at the University of Kentucky ("Wildcats") for Coach Tubby Smith. 
Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic; an extraordinary physical basketball talent who is quickly making his mark on the entire National Basketball Association (NBA). Dwight Howard (see 227's You Tube- Dwight Howard), is a physical inside player who rebounds and scores with the best basketball centers and forwards in the NBA. Look for Howard to control the paint like SHAQ (Phoenix Suns) and dominate Olympic play. Noted for his famous U Tube (YouTube, you tube, utube) "Superman" dunk, Dwight Howard came into the NBA right after high-school, like his NBA counter-part...Kobe Bryant (of the 81 point performance, which can be seen on YouTube)!
Dwayne Wade- Miami Heat; D-Wade of the marketing NBA creatives, is a slashy, creative, shooting guard witha championship ring to go with the exceptional performance he put on during the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Dwayne Wade's game is versatile and should flourish during Olympic style basketball play. Dwayne Wade played collegiately at Marquette University (NCAA). 
Kobe Bryant- Los Angeles Lakers; Kobe Bryant... well, Kobe Bryant, need I say more. An 81 point scoring outburst and a phenominal 2007-08 season with the Los Angeles Lakers which culminated in a Western Conference Championship. Kobe will be a special basketball treat for all Olympic basketball fans. Kobe entered the NBA right out of high-school, similiar to the legendary Moses Malone ("4, 4, 4") and Darryl Dawkins "Chocolate Thunder!"  Kobe is a product of Philly.
LeBron James- Cleveland Cavaliers; the most electrifying dunker of modern NBA basketball  and arguably all-time. LeBron's strong game of dunk-you-very-much and power has took the National Basketball Association by storm! LeBron is only a blink away from establishing himself as the epitome of NBA shooting guards with strength and power to go along with his basketball intelligence which is unmatched! LeBron James came into the NBA, right after high-school and was regarded highly as everyone's McDonald's Basketball All-American, from Ohio.
Carlos Boozer- Utah Jazz; the former Duke University Blue Devil is a fierce inside presence and has a soft touch, he'll be an asset teamming up with Deron Williams, as they're teammates with the Western Conference Utah Jazz in the NBA.
 
Some of the basketball members of the United States Men's Basketball (USA) Team have had experience with FIBA Basketball, and the World Championships. Stay tuned and watch the best of the best USA basketball talent during the Olympics in Beijing, China. Coach Jamaal Al-Din of Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227 says "Good Luck, red, white and blue!" Jamaal Al-Din is a former player of Olympic scoring record setter, Ed Palubinskas, who played at BYU-Idaho (formerly Ricks College) and LSU. Coach Palubinskas is a member of the Australia Basketball Hall of Fame. Jamaal Al-Din's Hoops 227- the everything basketball website!

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"Who is better, Kobe, Lebron, or Wade? Shaq or Duncan?"
"How do I become a baller like Iverson or Kidd?"
If you take a look at most of the basketball related forums, chats, and blogs upon the web, you will find these types of questions as well as many like them. People wanting to debate the best, or wanting to be a star like these. What about asking ones self, "What do I need to do to be the best I can be?" Is it really that great of a thing to be like those above? I'm not so sure...

Without intending to take anything away from the talents and abilities of the aforementioned athletes, I have a question. "What have any of them done to make the game of basketball any better? What have they pioneered?" And more importantly, "What has our sport become?"

Having a love for basketball, and growing up as a kid in the age of, and admiring such greats as Bird, Magic, and Michael, one would think I would have no issue with the state of modern day basketball as it stands. But as a basketball purest I have to admit that I find within myself a bitterness when I look at the arrogance and selfishness of todays players. When I see the total and complete lack of role models and leadership, and the overall apathy for what was once, in my mind anyway, the greatest of all team sports, it saddens me.

At one time basketball was a sport where fundamentals, smarts, and dedication, in most cases dictated champions. Real champions, and real leaders! There was a time when the foundational rules which were built upon Dr. Naismith's game were respected. Many times in today's game, those rules no longer apply. A walk or travel is seldom called or often completely ignored. What would have been constituted as a carry is now considered a spectacular move. And as a result, our beloved game of basketball has been hijacked by thugs whose only motivation is money, stardom, and a love of self. Bill Laimbeer would be considered a prince compared to many of those we admire today.

This mentality has not only affected the professional ranks, but has also began to take root in our colleges, and has already polluted many involved in high school athletics.

Anyone who has ever followed the game of basketball knows well, and can readily admit that the physical abilities of todays athletes trumps those of players in the past. But the game of the past had something that our modern version has lost somewhere along the way, and that may never be regained.

There was a time when players who walked out onto the hardwood to compete did so as warriors, as a "band of brothers" of sorts. Although the team might have had what would be considered a superstar, each player upon the team, including that superstar, knew that they had a role to play, a job to do, and an accountability to their team and their fans.

There were also leaders then. These were men who were considered to be the superstars of their day. But the difference between those of the past and those of today was the way in which they saw the game. Think of Jerry West. Or Bill Russell. Or as I said before, Magic, Bird, or M.J.. Yes, they were superstars. Yes, they took many shots. Yes, they carried with them self-confidence, and pride in what they did. But unlike todays superstars they were not just mega athletes...they were leaders. And unlike todays superstars, they did not believe themselves to be greater than the game or the team in which they were a part of. But instead these men made all of the players on the team around them better. Ask the ones who played with them. There are several others we could mention here, but these are merely the ones who come to mind at the moment.

None of these past greats, before the game became a stain, won their championships based solely on their talent alone. Nor did Kobe this past season. They won because not only were they great, but they brought out the greatness in all the players around them. Even the ones they played against! Their will to win was not dictated by whether or not they
liked their coach, or whether there was a nice, fat bonus waiting at the end. It was decided because they loved the game, and because they saw themselves as a part of something bigger. At one time there was a pride in being part of the history of the "greatest game ever played."

Our sport has lost its way. It has lost the integrity, honour, heart, and spirit which made it great. And unless that which was lost is found again, the true game of basketball is done. Just as Lazarus was called forth from the tomb after dying, unless we have a revival of the essence of what basketball really is, it will not just be the laughing stock that it is today...It will be dead.

Maybe, in a way, that wouldn't be such a bad thing. At least without the money, the crying, and the spoiled mega athletes we could have players and coaches who did it for the love of the game again. We might even have integrity and real glory back in our sport. Maybe we could get back to having a game that was worth watching and playing again.

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