Why did the 2003 Team USA dominate and the 2006 Team USA fail?

[SamuraiSWISH]

And conversley, why is the not talked about 2003 team so dominant?



Because of stars at their peak, with more solidified basketball skills at the time? McGrady / Ray Allen / Kidd / Bibby / VC / Iverson + Duncan? ... etc.

Was the 2006 team just waiting for young LeBron, and Wade to develop consistent jumpers or defensive skills? A maturity thing? Leadership?



How would the 2003 FIBA Team USA done in place of the 2nd and 3rd rate players we went over in the summer of 2004?

Both teams (2003, 2004, and 2006) missing Kobe due to rape case / surgery. And KG / Shaq refusing to be apart of the games (2003, 2004, 2006, and 2008) even though both were at or near peak.

[gabepizza]

The 2003 team played in the FIBA Americas which is a regional tournament and does not have all the to teams in the world like the WC and Olympics.

[FireMcFailPlease]

one team had shooters to beat the zone...the other didnt