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.
i know i keep on forgeting about AI, i would have included BD but he hasn't done **** 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.
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.
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.
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?
Kidd Kobe Tmac Duncan Shaq Garnett Payton ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ Fill in the last few spots because it doesn't really matter after the first 7.
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.
I thought of that and almost edited my post. Replace any foreign players unable to participate with NBA all-stars.
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. 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
