If you could build Team USA, how would you?

[BDJ]

For the sake of argument, say that you could pick any 12 Americans and that they'd all agree to play.
My team would be:

Guards:
Ray Allen
Kobe Bryant
Steve Francis
Jason Kidd

Forwards:
Kevin Garnett
Paul Pierce
Ben Wallace
Chris Webber

Centers:
Tim Duncan
Shaquille O'Neal

I only have 10 players because I don't think there's enough minutes for any more.
Also, I don't have any old guys who might break down.
Finally, there's no Iverson - he'd make the team on talent, but he's left off for being a @#%*head.

[R0ckets03]

Francis
Payton
Kidd

Kobe
Carter
Pierce

Tmac
Garnett
Webber
Raheem

Shaq
Duncan

[R0ckets03]

Rasheed and Iverson deserve to be up there as well, but unfortunately both are idiots.

[Stevie Francis]

i know i keep on forgeting about AI, i would have included BD but he hasn't done sh!t this summer but get fat. he's 225. started at 190. And its not all muscle, casue he would look like fisher. And his ass has got to be the biggest for his size next to mason. its pure lard.

[mfclark]

I hate to say it, but...

Shaquille O'Neal
Robert Horry
Rick Fox
Kobe Bryant
Derek Fisher

Mark Madsen
Lindsey Hunter
Brian Shaw
Devean George
Jelani McCoy
Mitch Richmond
Kareem Rush

The Lakers took care of business in the NBA finals the past couple of years; they could do the same against the world - as a team. Only slight changes to account for the nationalities of certain players from last year's squad, like Medvedenko, were made.

[Sonny]

nice thread BDJ


Centers:

Shaq
Duncan


Forwards

Garnett
Webber
Pierce
McGrady
Carter

Guards

Kidd
Francis
Iverson
Kobe

also throw in a college rookie or an aged veteran.

[BDJ]

I'm surprised to see people picking Vince Carter over Ray Allen. Vince is a lot more spectacular, but with a true Dream Team, you'll have plenty of spectacular plays without him. Ray, on the other hand, is the better shooter and defender, something I feel that the current USA team is lacking.
Also, no one could accuse Ray of being an ugly American - he's nice as pie.

[Sonny]

Originally posted by BDJ
I'm surprised to see people picking Vince Carter over Ray Allen. Vince is a lot more spectacular, but with a true Dream Team, you'll have plenty of spectacular plays without him. Ray, on the other hand, is the better shooter and defender, something I feel that the current USA team is lacking.
Also, no one could accuse Ray of being an ugly American - he's nice as pie.

I have NO beef with Ray, He is great and deserves a spot. I just chose Vince because he already has Olympic experience. Did Ray play yet?

[OverRRated]

Kidd
Kobe
Tmac
Duncan
Shaq

Garnett
Payton
........
........
........
........
........


Fill in the last few spots because it doesn't really matter after the first 7.

[UT Baller]

C-O'Neal
PF-Duncan
SF-McGrady
SG-Bryant
PG-Kidd

Webber
Garnett
Brand
Carter
Allen
Pierce
Francis

[Rashmon]

I would send whichever team won the most recent NBA finals.

[Lobo]

Originally posted by Rashmon
I would send whichever team won the most recent NBA finals.

Unless of course, it's the Mavs, Kings, Rockets, Grizzlies, or Nuggets...;)

[3814]

Originally posted by Rashmon
I would send whichever team won the most recent NBA finals.

yeah, but without the international players would hurt.

Lakers - rick fox would be gone...and i think some backup players wouldn't be there. it wouldn't work.

Mavs - a lot of talent gone.

Kings - lots would be missing.

Spurs - There goes tony parker, ginobili, and a couple others i think.

it wouldn't work, not every player who is US would commit either.

[Rashmon]

I thought of that and almost edited my post.

Replace any foreign players unable to participate with NBA all-stars.

[Lobo]

Maybe it's answering the question in the thread title differently, but I would:

(A) Get the best players who are willing to devote more practice time over the summers and stay together as a unit for more than one tournament, and

(B) Get more scorers - I think I read somewhere that we only have two of the top 25 NBA scorers represented (Pearce and Finley) on this year's team. :eek:

If we could accomplish these two items, we should get the right combination of talent and team play and wouldn't necessarily need Shaq, Duncan KG, et al - although that wouldn't hurt either! :)

[Easy]

Originally posted by Rashmon
I would send whichever team won the most recent NBA finals.

That's actually a very good idea.

1. The best NBA team is a better TEAM than a collection of all-stars.

2. It makes having the chance of representing the country a real competition.

3. It wears down the championship team a bit to heighten the "parity" thing.

Just need to solve the problem of filling in for the international players on the team.

[3814]

My Dream Team:

pg- Kidd
sg- Kobe
sf- Garnett
pf- Duncan
c- Shaq

backups:

payton
francis
vince
t-mac
pierce
marion
webber

duncan is the first player to sub out...and then when shaq is tired he goes to play center with webber or garnett (switches position) playing power forward. plenty of skill at every position.

[BanginScrew]

I think there are a couple of things you have to factor in here. First realize that most of the top US players (i.e. Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, etc.) more than likely will turn down any offer to participate in World competition. Second you have to factor in that the International game is played a lot differently than the US game. Shooting, Free throw shooting, and passing are more important than one on one matchups because of the heavy use of zone defenses. With that in mind here's a US team that I think would have perfect chance to dominate in International play ...

PG - Bibby, B. Davis, Francis
SG - Ray Allen, Allen Houston, Barry Brothers
SF - Pierce, Finley, Rashard Lewis, Sczerbiak
PF - Walker, Sheed, Griffin, Brand
C - J. O'Neal, LaFrenz

Talent wise this team may not be as good as a team with Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, and KG however with the thought that these guys would more than likely turn down any offer to participate this is a team of shooters that could bust any zone, and still be able to run in transition for easy baskets.

[kidrock8]

What mfclark said...

What European/International country can slow Shaq down? Kobe?

Lakers beat each country by 10-20 pts. Also, you know that Phil Jackson wouldn't put up with his team falling asleep.

[Kam]

PG Steve Francis, Jason Kidd
SG Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce, Michael Finley, Tracy McGrady
PF Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett, Ben Wallace
C Tim Duncan, Jermaine O'14yearold Neal

For my starters, I would start with

PG Jason Kidd
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Tim Duncan

I would have T-Mac and/or Michael Finley playing shooting guard. (or isn't he a shooting guard?)

Or we could always have Hakeem Play center for the USA team.

[Easy]

Originally posted by BanginScrew
PG - Bibby, B. Davis, Francis
SG - Ray Allen, Allen Houston, Barry Brothers
SF - Pierce, Finley, Rashard Lewis, Sczerbiak
PF - Walker, Sheed, Griffin, Brand
C - J. O'Neal, LaFrenz



Walker? For a second, I thought you meant Samaki. Huuiiii:eek:

[rimrocker]

deleted and moved

[3814]

Originally posted by BanginScrew
I think there are a couple of things you have to factor in here. First realize that most of the top US players (i.e. Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, etc.) more than likely will turn down any offer to participate in World competition. Second you have to factor in that the International game is played a lot differently than the US game. Shooting, Free throw shooting, and passing are more important than one on one matchups because of the heavy use of zone defenses. With that in mind here's a US team that I think would have perfect chance to dominate in International play ...

PG - Bibby, B. Davis, Francis
SG - Ray Allen, Allen Houston, Barry Brothers
SF - Pierce, Finley, Rashard Lewis, Sczerbiak
PF - Walker, Sheed, Griffin, Brand
C - J. O'Neal, LaFrenz

Talent wise this team may not be as good as a team with Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, and KG however with the thought that these guys would more than likely turn down any offer to participate this is a team of shooters that could bust any zone, and still be able to run in transition for easy baskets.

I see your point, and this would be a decent team...but are you serious that you'd put rashard lewis before shawn marion? and griffin before mcdyess or shareef? and the barry brothers before carter, who said he would play if he wasn't injured? I don't get those.

[LiLStevie3]

Originally posted by Sonny
nice thread BDJ


Centers:

Shaq
Duncan


Forwards

Garnett
Webber
Pierce
McGrady
Carter

Guards

Kidd
Francis
Iverson
Kobe

also throw in a college rookie or an aged veteran.
Great choices. I'd add in Ray Allen as the 12th guy, so we'd have a shooting specialist on the team. Another alternative is to replace Iverson and his one-on-one style of play with an additional post player, considering you've only chosen 4.

[TCDREAM]

MY TEAM WOULD CONSIST OF :

STARTING:
C- SHAQ
PF- DUNCAN
SF- GARNETT
SG-TMAC
PG- AI

I WOULD WANT A STARTING LINE-UP
THAT WOULD STRIKE FEAR INTO THE
OPPONENT.

BENCH:
KOBE
WEBBER
PIERCE
R. WALLACE
ALLEN
KIDD
FRANCIS

reason i would add AI is i would want a team that would be unstoppable on offense and i think everybody would agree, this team would do it on both sides of the court. I like the emotion AI and Wallace would bring to the game.

[BanginScrew]

Originally posted by 3814
I see your point, and this would be a decent team...but are you serious that you'd put rashard lewis before shawn marion? and griffin before mcdyess or shareef? and the barry brothers before carter, who said he would play if he wasn't injured? I don't get those. You might have a point. The reason I put those guys on the list is because Lewis is a superior shooter to Marion in my opinion. Marion is a much better rebounder and is a better one on one player but I think Lewis would be better suited for the International game. I added Griffin because of his range although McDyess can consistently hit the mid range jumper so he might replace Griffin. I might still put Griffin before Shareef in International play. Really the most important thing is that the guys we sent MUST be able to hit their free throws.

[GATER]

IMHO, there is something fundamentally wrong with most of the lineups listed here. The Argentine's won with team oriented basketball and the majority response here is just to get "better" individual players. I heartily disagree.

I think the team should be built from tandems or trios that play on the same team during the regular season. For example, if Webber is the PF then Bibby must be the PG.

1) Bibby / K. Anderson
2) P. Pierce / R. Miller
3) KG / SAR / B. Bowen
4) Duncan / Webber
5) J. O'Neal / T. Ratliffe

The only exception I made was KG who could probably play all 5 postions in an international style game. Most of the players can easily play multiple positions.

This is the best I could do on the fly. Of mention are B. Davis-Mashburn / D. Davis - B. Wells / Kidd - K-Mart / McGrady - M.Miller (Hill if healthy) / Payton - Mason or Payton - Lewis. If the team is real young, Stockton - Malone. (God, that last one nearly killed me to type). :eek:

If you select Francis, you must select either Cat or EG.

In my method, you clearly windup with less Marquee players but I think you will ultimately have a better team.

[3814]

Originally posted by BanginScrew
You might have a point. The reason I put those guys on the list is because Lewis is a superior shooter to Marion in my opinion. Marion is a much better rebounder and is a better one on one player but I think Lewis would be better suited for the International game. I added Griffin because of his range although McDyess can consistently hit the mid range jumper so he might replace Griffin. I might still put Griffin before Shareef in International play. Really the most important thing is that the guys we sent MUST be able to hit their free throws.

yeah, they do. i agree on your theory, just some players i would switch like i already stated.

[GATER]

After tonights loss to Yugoslavia, a thought occurred to me that would improve the US team immensely.

Any player who doesn't volunteer his services to the US National Team ought to be banned from having their commercials run during the telecast of the games. In fact, a grass roots effort to not purchase products endorsed by the NBA players who forgo the NT would hit 'em where it hurts most.

IMO, a week or month of no Spalding purchases would send a message. Shall we pencil you in for Brazil next summer, Mr. Bryant?

[LiLStevie3]

Originally posted by GATER
After tonights loss to Yugoslavia, a thought occurred to me that would improve the US team immensely.

Any player who doesn't volunteer his services to the US National Team ought to be banned from having their commercials run during the telecast of the games. In fact, a grass roots effort to not purchase products endorsed by the NBA players who forgo the NT would hit 'em where it hurts most.

IMO, a week or month of no Spalding purchases would send a message. Shall we pencil you in for Brazil next summer, Mr. Bryant?
Great point. It was sickening to me that they were playing that Kobe Bryant Spalding's commercial over and over again during a World Basketball Championships that Kobe refused to play in.

[XBeams]

Steve Francis
Cuttino Mobley
Jalen Rose
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan

We have 3 deadly shooters in Steve, Cat, and Jalen.
And 2 powerful men at the 4 and 5. Im being realistic here. Honestly I don't think Shaq would play.

For my bench, i would have,

Jay Williams
Ray Allen
Pual Peirce
Vince Carter
Rasheed Wallace
LeBron James
Jason Richardson

There is noone on this team that cannot shoot.
There is noone on this team that cannot Run.
There is noone on this team that cannot pass.
And there is noone on this team that cannot Dunk.
The only player that is a question mark at the free throw line is Jay williams. But maybe by the south america Olympic Qualafying rounds he will work on that.

[BanginScrew]

Here's another thought, it's become painfully obvious that poor coaching is another factor as to why the US lost (again). Wouldn't it make more sense to have a coach that knows how the Internation game is played. I've seen several times where the US players don't seem to know the rules such as the non-goaltending rule after the ball has already hit the rim.

Along with the team that I already mentioned I'd like to see I would like to see the US team coached by Donnie Nelson.

I'd also like to see a permanent team selected for these games. There have been serious chemistry issues with the last two US teams that were selected. The US team still may not be able to play together as much as the Yugo's or Agentine's of the world but at least the US players would know who their teammates will be. They would at least have a feel for the guys they will be playing with.

[VooDooPope]

I'd clone these players and have them play together every day of their lives until they were a well finely tuned basketball team.

PG. S.Francis J.Lucas
SG. C. Murphy C.Mobley
SF. C. Drexler, R.Horry
PF. C.Barkley, O.Thorpe
C. Dream, M.Malone

I

[AntiSonic]

C) O'Neal
PF) Duncan
SF) Garnett
SG) Jordan- for his mystique alone.
PG) Kidd

6) Bryant
7) McGrady
8) Iverson
9) Payton
10) Pierce
11) Webber
12) Ben Wallace

Very undersized, but the three frontcourt starters can all split time at center with Wallace getting some hustle time off the bench.

[drpepper]

1) Kidd, Bibby, A. Miller
2) Kobe, Allen, Marion
3) TMac, SAR, KG
4) R. Wallace, C.Webb, E. Griffin or C. Wilcox
5) Shaq Daddy, Duncan

OK, you're gonna ask why I include Eddie and not Stevie. Well the reason is because we need a PG to be a PG. I noticed that Miller ran the team alot better than B. Davis, and Steve's game resemble's Baron's game. A real PG is more effective than an athletic one.