ESPN Insider: Olympic Team - Francis & Griffin Mentions

Insider talked to a top international NBA scout and a former international coach (both of whom predicted Team USA's demise in Indianapolis) for their thoughts on constructing a team better suited for international competition. They've assumed based on Shaq's recent comments that the Big Fella won't be willing to give the two-year commitment. Here's who they picked.

STARTING FIVE:
PG: Jason Kidd, Nets — Whenever you stick a group of players on a team that's not used to playing together and give it only 11 days to prepare, you need a strong floor leader who can quickly set the tempo for the team. Team USA struggled with the offense in Indy and never took advantage of its speed and athleticism to get out on the break. No one in the NBA is better at running a team than Kidd. While he doesn't posses the requisite jump shot for international competition, he's still the teams' most important player. How important? Both sources claim that had Kidd been healthy this summer, his presence alone would have saved Team USA from their embarrassing defeats.

SG: Tracy McGrady, Magic — You need a go-to guy on the team and McGrady's ability to do just about everything well makes him the top candidate. He's an excellent ball handler, likes to penetrate of the dribble, is a good shooter from the perimeter, a strong rebounder inside and has excellent floor vision. His size and athleticism at the two will make him a matchup nightmare for most of the smaller international two guards.

SF: Grant Hill, Magic — Hill was a modest surprise here. Both sources felt that his ability to run a team, do the dirty work, get the ball into transition and score from just about anywhere on the floor made him the perfect international player. Hill is relentless putting the ball onto the floor and getting to the foul line. He's the consummate team player who thrives on making his teammates better. Of course, Hill's ongoing ankle problems may throw a wrench in this. But if he's healthy, he's a slam dunk.

PF: Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves — Garnett actually goes a little bit against convention. He doesn't have the perimeter game that is usually essential for international competition. Nor does he have the devastating low-post game that would make him virtually unguardable in the paint. But Garnett's superior athleticism, defense, versatility and mastery of the open floor make him a lock. He's one of the few players in the U.S. who international teams still don't have an answer for. And he'll be counted on to guard the Nowitzkis and Gasols when the U.S. goes against the top competitors.

C: Tim Duncan, Spurs — He's a great passing big man, is comfortable facing the basket, a strong interior defender and a calming presence on the floor. The reigning MVP dominated international play the last time he played for Team USA and would give the team the consistent low-post presence on offense it missed in Indy.


NEXT FIVE:
PG: Gary Payton, Sonics — His defense alone would warrant the selection. But Payton's ability to post up smaller point guards, his big game experience and his recent conversion to team play seal the deal.

SG: Ray Allen, Bucks — He's the best consistent shooter that the U.S. has. You could make an argument for Iverson and Pierce here, but the U.S. learned a tough lesson in Indy. You can never have enough good shooters. Iverson's ability to break down the defense is valuable, but he dominates the ball too much for a team like this. Pierce is a big-time shooter, but he's streaky and his rocky relationship with the rest of the team will probably make him an outcast. Allen's ability to extend the zone, opening up opportunities down low for the likes of Duncan and Webber, gives him the nod by the narrowest of margins.

SF: Kobe Bryant, Lakers — If things do get sticky in the fourth quarter, Team USA will need someone to come in and take over the game. No one does it better than Kobe.

PF: Chris Webber, Kings — There were mixed feelings about this selection. Webber's game is perfect for the international style of basketball. He's equally comfortable playing with his back to basket or shooting from the perimeter. He's got great handles, is a top rebounder and has the athleticism the team is looking for from their big men. The only knock is his toughness and his tendency to disappear at the end of games.

C: Brad Miller, Pacers — There's a dearth of centers in the league, and when you subtract out the top international big men (Vlade Divac, Michael Olowokandi, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Rasho Nesterovic), the pickings get pretty slim. What Team USA needs is a big man who can do more than just stand around and block shots. In Indy, zone defenses were begging Antonio Davis and Wallace to hit open jumpers. They couldn't — Miller can. He's also a great passing big man.

THE FINAL TWO — Almost every top international team always invites two young players from its junior team to join it in international competition. The thinking is that they're being groomed to take over when several of the older stars are ready to retire. Team USA should be thinking the same way. Here are two young stars who could fit in nicely for years to come once older players like Payton and Hill decide to hand it up.

G: Steve Francis, Rockets — He wants to play. He deserves to play. And unlike the other two top young point guards, Andre Miller and Davis, he has the type of game that should thrive at the international level. No, he's not the playmaker that Kidd or Miller is. But his ability to break down defenses, put the ball in the basket and set a frantic tempo make him a great fit. He's also proving this year in Houston that he's got the ability to carry his teammates on his shoulders down the stretch.

F: Rashard Lewis, Sonics — There were several candidates here. Eddie Griffin has the type of all around game that is perfect for international play. Drew Gooden has the type of offensive skills and rebounding prowess that you look for in a big man. But Lewis has the abilities and the upside to be a worthy replacement to a player like Hill someday. He's versatile, athletic, unselfish and a dangerous perimeter threat. His size will create mismatch problems wherever he plays on the floor and he's starting to show signs this season that he wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line.

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Very cool to see Griffin's name mentioned here. Nice props!

Chris