USA basketball’s Olympic dominance disproves ‘crap’ narrative about development
NY Post
You’ve heard it a few times, I’m sure.
You’ve heard about how the European model is supposedly so much better at developing basketball players with ball movement and defense and fundamentals and whatever other nonsense is out there.
You’ve heard about the toxic AAU model in the United States and how it breeds selfishness and narcissism and iso ball.
You’ve heard about the international takeover of the game, an idea the NBA likes to push because more nations intrigued by the sport means more potential revenue.
Yet here we are in 2024 — over three decades since the original Dream Team — and the global sport of basketball, second to only soccer in worldwide popularity, remains utterly dominated by the U.S.
There’s nothing like it in major team sports. Between our women and men’s teams, USA Basketball has swept gold at the last four Olympics. To compare, four different teams won the last five Olympic titles in hockey; six different nations won the last six FIFA World Cups; three different teams won the last five World Baseball Classics.
Suddenly, someone had hit a rewind button and everyone had been transported back seven months. It was early spring instead of late fall, it was broiling hot outside the arena walls and not freezing cold. Everyone was back at TD Garden. There were 19,156 frenzied fans on their feet begging for blood, poised for the kill.
After leaving practice early on Monday to be evaluated for a lower-body injury, Adam Edstrom did not suit up Tuesday night against the Stars.
It’s not you, it’s me.
Not everyone wants to wake up in the city that never sleeps.
BOSTON — Despite no traction on a contract extension, Karl-Anthony Towns said his relationship with the Knicks front office remains strong and he hopes to continue his career with the team.
The Jets won a game on Sunday, an entertaining 27-24 victory over the Falcons on a 56-yard walk-off field goal by 41-year-old kicker Nick Folk.
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said he was just doing his job after a hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked tension in Monday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Dillon Brooks found himself in a familiar place Monday night — right underneath LeBron James’ skin.
Alexey Toropchenko is the latest hockey player to miss time because of a bizarre off-ice injury, after the St. Louis Blues said he is considered week to week after sustaining burns to his legs as part of a home accident. No other details were provided.
For a rebuilding Nets team, this season isn’t just about tanking for tomorrow’s lottery pick, but also developing the young players they have today.
After losing one of the top power-play defensemen in the NHL for at least the next several weeks, the Rangers are going to try something unconventional to spark their inconsistent season.
The Mets agreed to terms with Devin Williams, which means they now have exactly one viable right-handed reliever on their roster.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A defiant and exasperated Jaxson Dart, literally knocked into orbit by a hit he did not need to take, vowed that he will not change the way he plays.