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Will Deng inspire Britain's basketballers?

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Luol Deng

The British men's team cannot qualify for the Olympic tournament in Beijing which is likely to be dominated by the Americans again.

Team USA have won all-but four of the gold medals on offer since the sport was introduced to the Games in 1936.

Britain's men have only qualified once, in 1948, finishing 20th.

Things are improving though with Luol Deng, who plays for the NBA's Chicago Bulls, leading the way for British players.

But will Deng inspire Britain to a better showing in time for London 2012?

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posted Dec 14, 2007

Another comment that must be made.... USA basketball has not reached the final in any of the last 3 major basketball tournaments. They may be one of the favorites but by no means they are expected to dominate and they will not, whether they win or not it will be highly compete for against the likes of Spain, Argentina, Lithuania and so on...

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posted Dec 14, 2007

Thanks for your comment....look forward to hearing from you at an appropriate moment

John A

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posted Dec 14, 2007

englishpower: Just a few points

I think the NBA is the perfect place for British basketballers to progress in their careers. It is the best and most competitive league in the world.

The US hasn't won the last three Championships because the players are so apathetic towards international games and competitions. They generally don't care and when you're in that frame of mind you don't exactly bring your "A" game.

Unless two or three more British players emerge in the next few years then it's gonna take about 10 years for GB to reach the same level as most of the big European teams. But if basketbal gets the financial backing it needs, and with the right support GB can become a powerhouse in European basketball.

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posted Dec 14, 2007

GB can deliver! The players are coming through, Freeland, Robinson, Eaves, Clarke, Richards, Guede etc.

Probable starting 5 for Eurobasket Division A

Deng
Azubuike
Betts
Midgley
Mensa Bonsu/Archibald

Good enough? Definately, and the great thing is this squad will just get better & better. Lets get behind these guys we now can compete at the top level.

SUPPORT TEAM GB SPREAD THE WORD

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comment by salamsm (U2247074)

posted Dec 17, 2007

Most of you guys on here sound like soccer fans and not bball fans. Its totally different.
In the world basketball arena Team UK is far behind.
There are so many top teams, while you're talking about Team USA there are other teams like Euro Champions Russia, Spain, Argentina, Greece, Lithuania, Yugoslavia,Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, Serbia...and not forgetting China, Brazil and Argentina

These teams have top performers in the NBA.. Argentina has Manu Ginobli, Orbeto, Luis Scola, Nocioni, Delfion and alot more.. Right now Deng is not among the top performers in the NBA, Azibuke just came from the D-League..

Cant compare Team GB with these other teams not even Canada. GB players need to get out of England and play in Europe and other leagues most especially the NBA.

Its funny how people come on here detesting the Americans but in order for a British Basket baller to be world class, he needs to make it in the NBA which is in USA.

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posted Jan 1, 2008

The yanks are favourates but by no means dead certs. Jasikevicius is probably the best European player out there and he bombed in the NBA, but ran the show at Eurobasket 07, the contrasting styles of the European based players compared to their NBA counterparts means the big names aren't guaranteed to shine

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posted Jan 2, 2008

I am a Warriors fan and Jasikevicius is not the best European player. I know he is better in International basketball then he was in the NBA but there are so many European players better than him.
Gasol, Deng, Kirilenko, Bargnani, Biedrins, Parker, Nowitzki etc. are all far better than. If you mean the best player in European leagues, maybe you are right as all the above players play in the NBA but if you mean the best European player in any league - you're wrong.

And salamsm, I am not saying England are better than any of the teams you mentioned but don't under-estimate Azubuike. I know he came out of the D-League but that doesn't mean he isn't a good player. He is a good rebounder for his position, he is an excellent three-point shooter and solid at the free-throw line. Don't forget that this is his first full season and he is a contender for the NBA's most improved player - some fans on a Warriors blog I go on rate him higher than Monta Ellis who won the award last year.

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posted Feb 22, 2008

Deng may well inspire young players. I used to play basketball competitively but have had to give up as once you leave education in this country there is nowhere to play (i'm only 27!). In the early 90s the Michael Jordan effect led to a whole generation of people like myself becoming very interested in basketball. That was the time when the powers that be should have capitalised on it's popularity by setting up good local low level leagues. A solid competitive framework is needed to give players something to aspire to. Most players know they will never be an NBA superstar, most players also know that their options for playing are severely limited by location and the lack of leagues.
If Deng does inspire a new generation of players then we need to do what we didn't do in the 90s, and keep them playing!!!

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posted Mar 7, 2008

YOU PESSIMISTS NEED TO JUST BE QUIET..IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT ARE THE FUNDMENTAL REASON FOR THE LACK OF PROGRESS OF THIS GREAT SPORT IN BRITAIN...GIVE BRITISH BASKETBALL A CHANCE

GET BEHIND THE BOYS..GB 08...IM GETTING MY DENG GB JERSEY..YOU ALL SHOULD TOO...

OF COURSE GB ARENT WORLD BEATERS..BUT THIS IS THE START OF THE ROAD..THINK WHERE TEAM GB COULD BE IN 10 OR 15 YEARS...I CAME OUT THE SAME PROGRAMME AS DENG AT BRIXTON TOPCATS,,UNDER THE LEGENDARY COACH JIMMY ROGERS...YES HE IS BRITISH TOO..THERE ARE ALOT MORE TALENTED BRITISH PLAYERS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAVENT HAD THE OPPRTUNITY TO EXCEL
PLAYERS FROM THE BRIXTON PROGRAMME TO WATCH OUT FOR

MATTHEW BRYAN-AMANING AT THE WASHINGTON HUSKIES...
JUSTIN ROBINSON--AT A DIV 1 US COLLEGE

TEAM GB 2012...SUPPORT THEM

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posted Mar 7, 2008

Think i will stick to interesting sports which inspire passion no boredom. Following a bouncing ball from one net to the other until a coach decides its time for a quick chat does not thrill me. Me thinks the GB team will be exactly where they are now in 10 years - under funded under supported and under-achieving

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