Welcome to the Best of Enemies podcast! Have you followed us on Spotify and hit the bell icon to get notifications for new episodes? Join us as we dive into today’s hot topics.
Aussie Exit in the Quarter Finals
What happened to the Boomers in their quarter-final game against Serbia? Despite a great start, how did the Aussies manage to lose a 26-point lead? Was it just the turnovers, or was it the stagnant offense and over-reliance on Patty Mills?
With Brian Goorijan’s game plan under scrutiny, did the Boomers' roster simply fall short at these Olympics? Can we afford to be nostalgic for the 2014-2018 lineups, or is the international basketball scene getting too good for us to keep up?
Boomers Current and Future State
What does the future hold for the Boomers as Brian Goorijan steps down as head coach? Which players might we be seeing for the last time at the Olympics? Are we truly in a transitional phase, and can the next generation of players carry the Boomers' culture forward?
And, the big question: How will we ever replace a player like Patty Mills if this was his last time in green and gold?
Is it time to consider Ben Simmons for the Boomers, despite his controversial reputation and injury history? How does he compare to Delly on the court, and could he be the intimidating presence the team needs?
Team USA
How did Steve Kerr handle the pressure, and was there a level of disrespect toward Jayson Tatum? Was the decision to go with familiarity over Tatum’s talent justified? And what about Jaylen Brown—is his frustration with the situation fueling a great upcoming season for the Celtics?
What can we make of Kevin Durant becoming the all-time leading scorer with four gold medals, and how does Steph Curry’s magical shooting continue to put the league on notice?
Bronze Medal Game
Did Germany deserve to beat France, and should the Serbia-USA matchup have been the gold medal game? Why did Canada underperform so drastically with their star-studded roster, and what might be causing their ongoing struggles?
3 on 3 Basketball
Is 3 on 3 basketball really capturing the spirit of the game, or are there issues with the format, like the 10-minute clock and the 3-point line? How do these changes impact the flow and excitement of the game, and are the rules overemphasizing 3-point shooting? What are your thoughts?
Question Time
Why is Team USA, both men’s and women’s, so dominant, and what can other countries do to catch up? Has the rest of the world truly closed the gap, or do the US teams still have a significant advantage in terms of roster depth?
And what if LeBron negotiated his contract after the Olympics? Could his performance at the games give him an edge with the Lakers?
Finally, a shoutout to the Opals for their impressive performance and to Lauren Jackson as the greatest female player Australia has ever produced. Could there be more to explore in another episode?
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