Coach: Doc Rivers PG: Cp3 Rose Irving SG Westbrook, Harden SF: LBJ Durant PF: Love, Griffen C: D12, Anthony Davis 12th man pool: Shabazz, Paul George, Demarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, John Wall On the fence: Melo, Wade, DWILL
We don't really have to put a good product on the court anyway with the 2016 olympics. Argentina, Brazil, and Spain will lose almost all their key players from old age.
You'd think we go U-23 then...if so does that mean the other nations will have to do the same? or is that just USA?
It does seem like the biggest competitors will be down a little bit in 2016. I was thinking about this very thing during the game today. Argentina is the biggest example in my mind. This Olympics was the last go round for the Scola, Ginobili, Nocioni group and I think that's part of the reason why that team played with such an edge during the tournament. I would be surprised if any of the key players on this current squad are more than bit players in four years. Of the three, I think Spain has the best chance to still be a contender next time around. They have a young building block in Rubio, they have a great young interior defender in Ibaka and the competition level in their domestic league is such that they can draw a pretty competitive team just out of the best players in that league. It will be interesting to see which countries make a push in the four years between now and the next Olympics. Spain, Argentina and Brazil just finished off the best generation of basketball players in their nation's history. Surely the same thing can and will happen in another country (or one of these countries) again sooner rather than later.
I'm glad you're not in charge of USA basketball. Navarro and Pau Gasol are the only ones on Spain that will be beyond 35 yrs old in 2016. Lithuania might get DMo in 2016 and always gives USA trouble.
Cp3/dwill/rose Westbrook/harden Lebron/durant Love/griffin/davis Dwight/bynum On the bubble... davis/wall/irving/aldridge/cousins/monroe/lamb(i can dream right?)
Argentina will be down for sure, but Spain? Only navaro and gasol will be down. Marc and ibaka will be even better. Add Rubio and mirotic (he will be beast aswell), same rudy fernandes and improved lull. I don't see a bigchange in Spain's team. Don't forget lithuania with Valanciunas and Motiejunas working at the post. They also have good youngsters and if they develop in 4 years, they will be a good contender aswell. Then we have france, russia and brasil which will be the host country. Though, I don't think thwy will cause trouble to usa, but they will have a shot at medals.
CP3/Irving Westbrook/Durant LeBron/Melo Griffin/Love Howard/Davis If Lamb can live up to the ceiling I think he has, then I can see him making it.
I don't think they will be any sort of contender in 2016, but I wouldn't be surprised if Canada challenges to qualify for the games. Basketball is as popular as it has ever been in that country. They qualified for the World Championships last time around for the first time in a while and the nation has started to pump a ton of talent into American college programs. We're getting to the point now that the kids that are in their mid to late teens in Canada grew up with NBA teams in Canada and a guy like Steve Nash playing at high level. I think it's only a matter of time before they find a way in.
I am so impressed that LOFs could hold themselves back and NOT put Lin in the line-up. Mad props y'all (looking at you, iamarealballer).
Melo is not on the fence. His game is suited to FIBA basketball. He averaged around 16 points on higher efficiency than Durant this olympics with little playing time. Melo is basically a lock if he wants in unless he gets injured or regresses a lot.
