I hear ya

Sure then, since Trav wants to use this as debate, I'm all for it. I see what you are saying, Like I posted over on your blog, I am excited about this year's team and ready to get the domination back on track like those great 92 and 96 teams. And you know what, you are right, as it stands the 96 team is better than the team we have just assembled.

As of now.

Would you say that a team consisting of Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq is better than Chauncey Billups, A young Tayshaun Prince (Your Christian Laettner), and Rasheed Wallace? You know where this is going.

When you look at it on paper, of course those 04 Lakers were more talented then the Pistons, but around the time when the Pistons got up 40 in that game 5 to win the series, it dawned on me. Team basketball is how championships are won. Your comparison matches individuals, not the collective team.

Now Trav, of course we're talking Olympic basketball here, and the 96 team was incredible. An assembly of basketball gods. But unless that team and this year's team somehow meet in the afterlife (And we'd have courtside tickets my man), we'll never know which team is "better". Like I said, the competition is improved, and only time will tell how great the 08 squad really is.

And one more thing, you wrote, and I quote, "John Stockton is the greatest point guard of all-time..." Dude, Trav, whatever happened to those week-long Magic/Stockton arguments? Have you conceded?

Team USA

The Olympics start on August 8th and I am super excited. It is by far my most favorite sporting event that the world has to offer, and it is because the whole world is offering it. I mean where or when else can we have members from all cultures, countries, and races come together peacefully? It is a nice relief from wars and differences that separate and divide the Earth every day. Sure there will be many political rallies and opportunities for debate and divide, but it is in the spirit of friendly competition that the games are set.

With that said, I hope Team USA puts the "friendly" competition aside and puts a good ole' fashioned American Beatdown at the Olympics. I have a lot of pride for my sports teams, and more importantly for my country. It doesn't matter if I am watching ice dancing or boxing, I always cheer for our team. We as Americans are a prideful people, we believe we are better than everyone, and that is why a lot of countries despise us. I think our USA pride gets us a bad rep. But let's face it, there are certain things we are just dang good at and no other country comes close. I'm not saying we are "better" than any other country when it comes to something such as culture or tradition because individuality is what makes this world so great. But when it comes to one thing, no one should be able to touch us. You know what I'm talking about.

Basketball.

Bronze? Are you kidding me? How do we get anything but the gold in basketball? 2004 was an embarrasment. We lost more games (3) in that one Olympics than all previous Olympics combined, and that dates back to 1936. I will not accept that Argentina won the gold, or Italy won the silver. We lost those medals. Arguments have been made like, "Well those countries practice together year round and the US only gets a month." I don't care. On any give night, Team USA could be assembled, and should go out and beat any team the world can put together. They shouldn't even have to practice. The fact is that the team we had in 2004 just didn't care. That needs to change.

Upon receiving news that knee surgery was imminent, Yao Ming had to choose between missing the Olympics or the NBA Playoffs. Not even thinking twice, Yao stated that playing for his country was much more important than playing in the NBA.

How many Americans would do that? What happened to the pride of being able to stand together and listen to the Star Spangled Banner with gold medals around their necks? Today's players are more concerned with money and status. Or concerned about getting an injury that could jeopardize future money and status. Just go play the game, and be proud.

With all this said, the team we have put together this year is probably the best since the 92 dream team, which was the greatest team ever assembled, with one exception (Sorry Christian Laettner...but you know). Just for the fun of it, did you know that the 92 Dream Team won every game by an average margin of 43.8. Coach Chuck Daly never even used a timeout. There is no reason why we should lose a game this summer, no reason why we shouldn't win by an average of at least 3o.

Let's take a look at the team.

With a team this star-studded, the playing time between starters and non-starters will be pretty equal so it shouldn't make much difference. This is how I see the depth chart:

Starters:
G: Chris Paul
G: Kobe Bryant
F: Lebron James
F: Carmelo Anthony
C: Dwight Howard

Bench:
Dwyane Wade
Chris Bosh
Deron Williams
Tayshaun Prince
Michael Redd
Jason Kidd
Carlos Boozer

Black Uniforms

Football season is rapidly approaching. Yeah, I wish. Still a little over two months to go, but a whole lot better figuring it's been over six months since the bowl game. A while back I wrote an article on the evolution of Utah's uniforms. Remember it? Amazing huh? Anyways, at the end I tried to photoshop an idea for the new rumored "all black" uniforms. Well, check out what I found. This is supposively from the new NCAA 08 video game, and it has the Utes in an alternate, black uniform.


It's okay BYU, you can cry. Or do you want to wait until after the game?

Quick update

It's been a month and a half since I wrote on here. I recently moved and don't have the internet yet so it makes it a little tough, but I figured I had a minute to get on here and make some quick notes.

First off, Celtics beat the Lakers in the Finals...okay, I can live with that. If I would have kept my predictions up to date, I honestly would have had the Spurs and Pistons in the Finals, but oh well, can't win them all.

Second, I got a new job. It's pretty fun I guess but gets a little monotonous at times. I do get to talk to people from all over the country and get some pretty crazy stories which is fun, also I love the people I work with which makes it fun too.

Third, I am playing a lot of basketball lately which is awesome.

Fourth, it's summer and the weather is nice...so I'm going to the pool right now. Bye.