Joe Asberry (196-F-1965, college: SF State) is an American ex professional basketball player that really has seen it all from crime to drugs, but also played against legends like David Robinson (215-C-65, college: Navy), Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw and was teammates with German legendary player Christian Welp. He had a 11 year professional career that saw him toil around in the minor leagues of Germany, but he belonged to the best in his day at that level. Since retiring from the game, he has been a spokesperson for young kids and drug prevention, guest speaker, worked in the Alba Berlin organization, been a master of ceremonies for UBC Hannover and been a mentor for young Americans coming overseas trying to live the dream of being a professional basketball player. Currently he works with an agent and with young inspiring basketball kids and has his own podcast. He spoke to germanmhoops.com about the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament.

Thanks Joe for talking to germanhoops.com. It´s Olympics time. Is the basketball competition one that excites you with the team USA on board with many of their absolute best. Can one still call them a Dream team?

Thank´s for tapping in Miles. Alway´s a pleasure to talk hoops with you my Guy. I would say this is a “Dream Team” for sure. This team is loaded with the Best Basketball Players in the World, so it has to be a Dream for Steve Kerr and the rest of the staff to Coach Them.

Team USA had to seriously buckle down against South Sudan and Germany. Are these 2 of the bets examples that not only has the world caught up in basketball, but could beat this team in crunch-time with perhaps a little more luck and no LeBron James (204-SF-1984)?

South Sudan played out of their Minds. Cudo´s to them. It´s a prime example of how certain horrible conditions can create basketball players that will show up, and have a Dog Fight with any team they face. Lebron is the best Overall player we have ever seen so I´m not surprised that he helped pull out the win. And if he wasn´t there, Team USA still wins that game. Too much Talent.

Germany played an incredible game and gave Team USA all they had but lost by 4 as LeBron James saved the day. About how far is Team USA from being 100% ready for the Olympics?

Shout out to Team Germany. They fought hard and played great. The Wagner brothers are Humble studs and Dennis Schroeder is the Motor of that Car: That´s their big 3,but they have a great Team. I like big Theis, He´s as strong as an Ox. I enjoyed watching Thiemann play for Alba as well. They have what TEAM USA seems to always have a problem with. Chemistry. When the bright lights come on though, they´re just too skilled, and have too many weapons. So they´re ready for the Olympics for sure.

LeBron James showed again why he is still the best in the world scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter and the team´s last 11 points to silence Germany. Was that performance about as Jordan as it gets?

I love LeBron James game. He keeps other´s involved, and can dominate and fill up a stat sheet. I don´t ever compare him to Jordan. MJ was a straight killer. He was the type of scorer who could put the team on his back, and go and get 50 any time anywhere. So those are two different breeds of Animal! LOL!

Kevin Durant didn´t play. How vital is he for Team USA and is his presence the difference from say a nailbitter win and more comfortable win by 10 points?

Kevin Durant is UNREAL People love to talk about Kobe,and MJ, but Durant is that type of Killer too. He also is 7 feet. How do you guard a guy with a full tool box of moves, and can shoot at that size? He´s UNGUARDABLE. When he play the other teams will not have a chance.

It seems at times Team USA takes plays off and does too much isolation which is normal from NBA guys and guys that have super individual qualities. What is still missing form Team USA to be able to win games more comfortably?

I don´t think TEAM USA is missing anything. They just don´t play together for year,like the other teams. The expectation is just too high. A win is a win.

Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum looked invisible in the Germany game. How vital is it getting these 2 guys more involved in the offense on a team where every guy is a walking bucket?

Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker are great players. Their role will be different on this team. If Kerr gives them proper minutes, they`ll produce, if he doesn´t give them proper minutes and Team USA loses, they should fire him from the Warriors! LOL!

Team USA looked good on defense and then on other plays not so good. In between, they made huge athletic blocks. What do they need to tighten up most there?

Team USA will never be a great defensive team. They would have to add Draymond,or a Pat Beverly type for the roster if that was what they´re trying to do. They have too many offensive weapons. All they have to do is play hard, run and gun when they can and they will get win´s. Truth be told Davis loves defense. As long as Big Bam and Embid control the paint, everything will be just fine.

Team Germany played a spirited game. How good do they look? They are a team that showed at the World Cup that they were able to keep developing as a team as the tournament went on. Do they have pressure as the World cup champion?

Team Germany is a very good team. They don´t have pressure at all. All of the pressure is on the Americans.

Dennis Schroeder had a solid 13/10 game in 17 minutes despite having a bad shooting day. Can he take his game to another level despite being the 2023 World Cup MVP?

I love Dennis Schroeders game. I`m biased. He grew up getting buckets in that same gym I was Dunking on people in,Alte Wagge in Braunschweig. So I ride with him and Coach Liviu all day. LOL! He must play great in order for Germany to win. He makes everyone around him better and when it´s time to get a bucket he can do that with ease.

Sharp shooter Andi Obst continues to make incredible bombs from outside. Could he finally get an NBA chance after a successful Olympics?

Andi Obst has a gun. He could easily help a team that is looking for a shooter. He could be the JJ Redick type and help a NBA Roster without a doubt

Germany and USA will advance form their groups, but how tough is that group A with Canada, Spain, Greece and Australia. Who won´t survive there?

If i have to pick one team that won´t make it out of that group, I have to say Spain. It hurts to say that too, because l`ll always love the Gasol Bro´s,and Ricky Rubio. I hope they don´t read this LOL!

South Sudan showed their fighting qualities against Team USA. Do you see a sleeper going far in this competition?

South Sudan can go very far. They have that fight in them right now. For they´re a country that is dealing with all kinds of things, so when you have that extra chip on your shoulder, you play at another level.

Please predict the 3 medals and who will capture them?

USA,Germany,Canada.

What would be the score between Dream Team USA 1992 and Team USA 2024 in a game?

Dream Team 1992 and Team USA 2024 is two different eras. The Team USA 2024 team has more skilled players. Of course if you have Refs from the 90´s era, The Dream Team has a chance to win. Basketball is now based on scoring and trying to look good in the era. I played when guards came to the basket and I tried to throw a elbow at their heads, and dunk on them so hard, they would get a concussion, so it´s just different! Is best not to compare. LOL!