Why is team USA with Lebron and Curry only -700 to win at the Olympics?

[MOBIL19]

I understand why Alcaraz isn't -300 in the tennis They only play best of 3. Things could get random

But with these rosters, Canada could be a real problem, but still it's a -10-11 spread in the finals? Or maybe -15? Sure they're older now but they play every 4th day? They could do this until their 45 each, man

Explain this price to me please

[DrunkHorseplayer]

Maybe because LeBron and Curry are past their prime. Imagine the dream team with a 39 yo Jordan and a 36 yo Magic playing against international teams that actually had a chance, unlike 1992.

[asiagambler]

Old roster, only a few players play defense, unfamiliarity with international/FIBA/Euro style of basketball and the identity of teams like this will always just be star iso-heavy play which can be beaten by a team with good chemistry/team play/national pride/etc.

Long story short, the rest of the world has caught up (I mean just look at the best 5 players in the world right now... MAYBE one of them is American). USA can't just send their best players and sleepwalk their way to gold anymore

They SHOULD still win.. but no guarantees, remember they lost to France in group stages last Olympics

[asiagambler]

Poor Kevin Durant he might have a career ending injury out there but they seem pretty adamant on keeping him on the roster

USA basketball must really feel like they need him to win this... (they're probably right)

[asiagambler]

They're only -400 at Pinnacle by the way so if you thought -700 was underpriced....

[VeggieDog]

Michael Jordan was asked by a reporter -"Could the '90s Bulls beat LeBron's Lakers."
MJ - "Yes."
Reporter - "By How much?"
MJ - "Two or three points."
Reporter - "Why so close?"
MJ - "Most of us are almost 60 now."

[MOBIL19]

This is my point lol

They STILL WIN THE GAME

Michael Jordan was asked by a reporter -"Could the '90s Bulls beat LeBron's Lakers."
MJ - "Yes."
Reporter - "By How much?"
MJ - "Two or three points."
Reporter - "Why so close?"
MJ - "Most of us are almost 60 now."

[Optional]

Rest of the world desperate to win whilst the Dream Team maybe not so much is probably the thinking.

A couple of wins and they will be at -1000 I bet.

[SomeDayinBuffalo]

The FIFA games is different. Every team has NBA players. Game is shorter and fouls are going to be a problem. You go cold shooting in a game and that's all it takes. If team USA takes the ball to the hole they should be fine. Also every game against the USA id their biggest game.

[pabonaparte]

Rest of the world desperate to win whilst the Dream Team maybe not so much is probably the thinking.

A couple of wins and they will be at -1000 I bet.

Chucky got Serbia to move from 15.5 to 12.5

Watch LeBron lock up Jokic and U.S. wins 75-60

[MOBIL19]

110-84



Serbia was supposed to be a major roadblock, lol

[k13]

Rest of teams got better, US did not.

[k13]

I understand why Alcaraz isn't -300 in the tennis They only play best of 3. Things could get random

But with these rosters, Canada could be a real problem, but still it's a -10-11 spread in the finals? Or maybe -15? Sure they're older now but they play every 4th day? They could do this until their 45 each, man

Explain this price to me please

Alcarez would be underdog if not on clay.

[asiagambler]

Alcarez would be underdog if not on clay.

Alcaraz wouldn't be favoured on any surface let alone -300

Swiatek isn't even -300 on clay and she's much more dominant compared to her peers than Alcaraz

Alcaraz wasn't even close to odds on at the French Open this year (+200)

He's only favoured here because Sinner isn't playing

[asiagambler]

Was Nadal even -300 to win RG at his absolute peak ?

Hmm.. I think actually yes, but probably not much more

[Eddy Munny]

Maybe because LeBron and Curry are past their prime. Imagine the dream team with a 39 yo Jordan and a 36 yo Magic playing against international teams that actually had a chance, unlike 1992.

It doesn't matter what Bron's birth certificate says, he's still playing at an elite level, arguably the best player on the team.

[Slurry Pumper]

These guys only want to be selected for the team. Actually playing is a drag. Its kind of like the NFL pro bowl back in the day,

[DrunkHorseplayer]

It doesn't matter what Bron's birth certificate says, he's still playing at an elite level, arguably the best player on the team.

But he's not in his prime now and neither is Curry, that's why the odds are only -700.

[Eddy Munny]

But he's not in his prime now and neither is Curry, that's why the odds are only -700.

That's not why the odds are what they are... if he's arguable the best player on the team, then he's obviously in the conversation for best in the world. The rigors of an NBA season/postseason are not a factor, given they will only have to play 6 games for gold, so his age is largely inconsequential. For such a short span he can more or less play close to peak. The difference is negligible. And all Curry really has to do on this loaded squad is snipe threes which he's still more than capable of doing.

The odds are likely suppressed just because global hoops have closed the gap in general and the USA had more than a couple close shaves in the prelims where they didn't come close to covering the line.

[dhristov211]

These guys only want to be selected for the team. Actually playing is a drag. Its kind of like the NFL pro bowl back in the day,

You don't think LeBron is chasing trophies? This ain't Summer League, man

[hawkwind]

F-k gaybron

[JIBBBY]

Seems like a lock after they dominated the first game against the 2nd best team in the Olympics. No one is beating this US team. KD will light it up if Lebron can't. I can't believe that Tatum didn't see a minute of play in game 1. That bench is so deep, you just can't play everyone.

[Slurry Pumper]

You don't think LeBron is chasing trophies? This ain't Summer League, man

Maybe so, I'm just giving you an explanation on why the odds are as low as they are. After the 1st couple of games if it turns out the team looks serious this year, then I'm sure the odds will adjust. For now they have to show everyone they give a shyt about a gold medal.

[k13]

Was Nadal even -300 to win RG at his absolute peak ?

Hmm.. I think actually yes, but probably not much more

Yes, the highest was -400.

[IBetYou]

USA were disappointing early because Embiid was pulling them down with his losing ways. Kerr has him on a short leash now. ALso, now that Durant is back they have a new best player. James the better NBA player/ Durant the better FIBA player.

[DrunkHorseplayer]

That's not why the odds are what they are... if he's arguable the best player on the team, then he's obviously in the conversation for best in the world. The rigors of an NBA season/postseason are not a factor, given they will only have to play 6 games for gold, so his age is largely inconsequential. For such a short span he can more or less play close to peak. The difference is negligible. And all Curry really has to do on this loaded squad is snipe threes which he's still more than capable of doing.

The odds are likely suppressed just because global hoops have closed the gap in general and the USA had more than a couple close shaves in the prelims where they didn't come close to covering the line.

Of course the foreigners have closed the gap, I said that in my 1st post and LeBron is nowhere near the best in the world; the best in the world are now foreigners.

[Eddy Munny]

Of course the foreigners have closed the gap, I said that in my 1st post and LeBron is nowhere near the best in the world; the best in the world are now foreigners.

You're delusional if you think Bron is "nowhere near the best in the world." If all the best players are foreigners then why are the Americans favored at all? Have fun contradicting yourself, bozo.

[dhristov211]

Best players are foreigners, please elaborate...

Best where? In FIBA play?

[DrunkHorseplayer]

You're delusional if you think Bron is "nowhere near the best in the world." If all the best players are foreigners then why are the Americans favored at all? Have fun contradicting yourself, bozo.

There is more than one foreign team, dumbass. The best players are foreigners, the best team is the US.

[DrunkHorseplayer]

Best players are foreigners, please elaborate...

Best where? In FIBA play?

Doncic, Jokic, Antetekuompo, etc.

[Eddy Munny]

Doncic, Jokic, Antetekuompo, etc.

Wow, you named three guys, big deal. USA has Durant on the bench and Tatum folding towels, get real.

You already showed your ignorance when you tried comparing 39 y.o. Jordan to 39 y.o. LeBron as if they both experienced equal decline in their games by that age. Jordan was a shell of himself by then, LeBron is still guiding the national team as the alpha. Watch the games, dude is running point and barreling to the bucket at will, not to mention wreaking havoc on defense.

[IBetYou]

You just proved your point, big deal

Left out SGA btw.

[DrunkHorseplayer]

Wow, you named three guys, big deal. USA has Durant on the bench and Tatum folding towels, get real.

You already showed your ignorance when you tried comparing 39 y.o. Jordan to 39 y.o. LeBron as if they both experienced equal decline in their games by that age. Jordan was a shell of himself by then, LeBron is still guiding the national team as the alpha. Watch the games, dude is running point and barreling to the bucket at will, not to mention wreaking havoc on defense.

Not saying LeBron isn't a great player but he's nowhere near his carry-a-team-to-the-playoffs-by-himself prime. Durant is past his prime as well and the only reason Tatum is on the bench is because Kerr isn't playing him, not because he isn't good enough. You want more names of foreign players, just look at all the NBA players on the other teams; the USA doesn't have the monopoly on talent that they used to.

[MOBIL19]

Not saying LeBron isn't a great player but he's nowhere near his carry-a-team-to-the-playoffs-by-himself prime. Durant is past his prime as well and the only reason Tatum is on the bench is because Kerr isn't playing him, not because he isn't good enough. You want more names of foreign players, just look at all the NBA players on the other teams; the USA doesn't have the monopoly on talent that they used to.

You could argue it's exactly the opposite. The distance between NBA and rest of the world will only increase with years (and with players like Lebron staying in prime until early 40s due to supreme diet/oxygen chamber sleep etc etc)

I mean I'll eat crow if Canada beats us, but how about a more likely scenario when not only Lebron wins every game by 20, but IN PLAY LINE NEVER GETS WITHIN 10 POINTS for the duration of the whole tournament.

Would you care to make a line for THAT?

[MOBIL19]

Doncic, Jokic, Antetekuompo, etc.

If only Olympics allowed Team World compete in one of the groups, I'm sure the U.S. team would only be -200 every time.

But that's not how Olympics work, so the next time a foreign team beats us in 5x5 format... could well be after all of us moved on to a better place.