USA Basketball Announces 30 Finalists For 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team

Curry, Kyrie, Paul
Harden
KD
Bron, Melo
AD

Are all LOCKS

If I had to choose 4 more: Kawhi, Draymond, PG, Boogie

 

Leonard will be a nice defensive player to have, can thrive off the ball & be an outside shooting threat. Low maintenance & high basketball IQ as well, a tough soldier that's ready to go to war with his compatriots in the Olympic.

 

you seem right on point.

perhaps switch cousins and howard but that is the only one i would consider switching.

 

Too many warriors.

 

'08 Team Returnees:
James
Howard
Paul
Anthony

'12 Team Returnees:
Durant
Westbrook
Iguodala
Love
Harden
Davis

This is all assuming that seniority comes into effect here and guys who've been on the Olympic teams before get considered before 'new bloods'. I think Curry is a guarantee, and I think the final player will be either George or Griffin, depending on if they want another big or a wing. Personally, I'd lean with George.

Potential 2016 Olympic Squad:
Curry/Paul
Harden/Westbrook
Durant/George/Iguodala
James/Anthony/Love
Davis/Howard

Howard and Davis provide two athletic defensive beasts. LBJ, CP3 and 'Melo are your veterans who won't have to carry the weight as much. Curry and Durant are your sharpshooters, Harden and Westbrook can control the ball. George, you can sic on whomever to lock them down. Love and Iggy are your 11th and 12th guys, respectively.

 

Harden should be cut - teach him a lesson about being lazy on defense.

DD

 

I go the other way and say I really hope he makes it. I'd rather he be on the team being around great players and coached by Pop for a bit than do jack **** all summer.

 

Curry, Paul, Westbrook
Harden, Butler
Lebron, Kawhi, George
Durant, Green
AD, Cousins

I can't see Howard getting in with the injury history. Carmelo seems to have dropped off in NYC, no one really puts them in contention. Klay might not even get all-star nod. Probably easier being a all-star than making US squad.

 

Pretty much, there is some kind of correlation of playing better after playing for Team USA.

It likely has to do with being surrounded by so many great players AND great coaching.

NOT only that Harden could make future connections that could be beneficial for the Rockets as an organization. When some of these guys hit FA years down the line it helps to know that they have Harden who they are familiar with, was a teammate with, etc.

 

Helpful comment. I guess I just came into this thread to say that anyone that says Harden should make the team is an idiot?

Nah I'm not that rude but I don't see how or why anyone would rather have Harden on the team over Klay (if it comes down to that). Take off those Rockets Red Sunglasses and be honest about who would be a better fit on that team.

Now It'd be nice if Harden made the team but I'd go Klay over Harden personally. I should also add that I detest Klay almost as much as I do Draymond Green. Those two are in the starting 5 of my ALL-NBA hate list.

 

where's the college guy on the list?

 

Since alot of them tend to fall over randomly, I guess a few of them go to the school of hard knocks? or is it the school of knockovers?

 

Lebron, Paul, Melo are the senior leaders of the team and will be on the team if they want to and are able.

Durant, Curry, Harden, Westbrook have participated and are also seen as the future leaders.

Paul George will get in because of the injury and he's actually a great fit as a FIBA forward.

The other 4 spots are up in the air but I suspect they will select a designated no glory catch and shoot guy and it will likely be Klay Thompson. There is also usually a no glory defense/glue guy and that will likely be Kawai Leonard. That leaves 2 spots for bigs. They'll probably bring Davis back for continuity and versatility. I think the other big spot will go to whichever star big shows the most interest (Griffin/Love/Aldridge/Dwight) even if it may be a better fit for Green or Drummond.

Paul, WB
Curry, Harden
Durant, Thompson, Leonard
lebron, Melo, George
Davis, Griffin

When matchups permit, I could see USA basketball going super small with Lebron/Melo at the 5 and Durant/George at the 4.

 

Butler should in before Harden. Leonard is a lock as Coach K's favorite. No way Green is getting in as an undersized PF/C. We have LBJ if we play small ball.

 

This, any true Rockets fan is hoping like hell he makes the team. Only a moron with a personal agenda would want otherwise.

 

An 8 man rotation of Conley, Beal, Hayward, Barnes, Green, Faried, Iguodala, Gay

would still be killer. I'd tune in to watch that

Paul George should be nowhere NEAR Team USA. Indiana fans gotta be a little nervous

For the heck of it, a "surprise" pick...I say Kevin Love might surprise, maybe not make the team but make it difficult.

 

I'm sorry but am I reading your roster correctly? You propose letting the two worst ball hogs in the NBA as primary ball handlers on this team?

 

This is easy

Curry, Paul
Harden, Westbrook
Durant, Kawhi, PG
Lebron, Melo
Davis, Blake, Green