You know, I'm not really sure Brent, I was just going by what the announcers/coaches explained. Apparently, in the international game, you put in for your time outs ahead of time, which the US did right after turning the ball over (to go over their press-breaker). It was supposed to occur at the next dead ball, which didn't happen for a little bit, and at which point the US was up by 10 or so. Then, according to asst. coach Popovich, the US coaches said that they didn't need the time out, and to forget it, but the refs had already called it. To his credit, Larry Brown did send his players right back on the floor (stopped them at the sideline and turned them around), but apparently Spain's coach was already quite upset. Its too bad it had to end up that way. Watching the US coaches first go and try to explain/apologize, only to see Spain's head coach (and no other coaches and/or players) get up in their faces and yell, its too bad that there was a misunderstanding, or any feeling of disrespect. Hopefully things can be worked out.
I understand many people's points with wanting Team USA to lose (especially if you are not from the US, I'm sure I'd want us to lose too), but I guess I'm still pulling for them. The team isn't put together the best, and I don't even really care for many of the players on there, but I still really hope they are somehow able to win. While the international game, and other teams, have made huge strides...I guess I feel deep down that at this point, we still have the best players (which also, aren't there playing for the most part), and because they are playing a game that is new to them (the team game) everyone thinks that we aren't he most talented country in the game of basketball anymore. I do agree though, we don't play as a team basically at all...and not nearly as well as the other countries. I'd be perfectly fine with the NBA switching to a more "true" form of basketball, in part to better prepare us and to get the respect of other countries a little more, but due to the marketing of the NBA, it unfortunately probably won't happen. I do miss the days of the '92 team, when we just spanked everyone and most other countries were happy to play us anyways...and there wasn't nearly as much animosity between teams/players (US included). Many of our players are spoiled, and some have shown it in these games, and its too bad we can't get back the mutual respect for all teams/players. Scott is right, there is a lot wrong with the NBA today from that standpoint, and I wish that wasn't the case. I guess it sounds strange, but I still like things like all of the players shaking hands, grouping together, after games, regardless of the outcome or what their "name" is. Plus, I guess it is kind of sad how everyone "hates" Americans, but some of that is brought on on our own (or by some Americans anyways).