Only three big men yes. You can thank that weenie Amare Stoudamire for that. By the way, here's the outlook for team USA by Charlie Rosen. Team USA has athleticism, speed to win in Beijingby Charley Rosen Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 14 books about hoops, the current one being No Blood, No Foul. Updated: June 23, 2008, 10:59 AM EST 49 comments add this RSS blog email print There's no question that, in China, America's Olympic squad will face much better competition than it did in last summer's FIBA tournament. Yet the roster is essentially the same. What then, might be expected from this latest version of Team USA? Before engaging in a scouting report, it's important to note several game-changing differences between the NBA and top-echelon international competition. Here are a few: The fact that the ball can be touched after it hits the rim virtually eliminates goal-tending, a rule which runs counter the instincts developed in stateside hoops. Instead of attempting to block shots, opposing defenders will almost always look to hold their positions and draw charging fouls. Most opponents will employ zone defenses to counter Team USA's superiority in speed, quickness and sheer talent. This increases the importance of perimeter shooting. That's also why the better foreign teams will also try to slow the game to a crawl. The zone defenses further serve to severely curtail the time and space that big men require to execute their in-the-paint moves. The trapezoid 3-second lane also marginalizes interior scorers by forcing them to begin their maneuvers further away from the goal. The same paint area gives offensive rebounders a considerable edge during free throws and makes boxing-out imperative. On offense, most of the competition will focus on high screen-and-rolls — a game plan that too many American teams have been unable to control. The shorter 3-point line is a boon to shooters on every team. Point guards Jason Kidd is slower than ever and still can't shoot. But he's incredibly unselfish, has uncanny court-vision and virtually always makes the correct pass. J-Kidd's most significant contribution, however, is his ferocious competitive drive. None of his teammates will ever take a play off with Kidd on the scene. Chris Paul is quick as a wish, a ball-hawking defender and a superb screen-and-roll player. He failed to be selected last summer because of a perceived lack of strength, which remains a concern. Other problems with Paul are his lack of a reliable outside shot, plus the difficulties in running screen/roll offenses vs. zones. Utah's Deron Williams will need to provide Team USA with timely perimeter shooting this summer in Beijing. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images) Deron Williams is strong, smart, creative and quick enough. He's easily the best long-distance shooter at this position, yet he's still not automatic. Verdict: Only average defense. Below average shooting. Given the peculiarities of Olympic competition, a slight advantage over their international peers. Wings After battling the Celtics stonewall defense, Kobe Bryant will feel like he's just been let out of jail. He'll also be out to prove his true greatness. On offense and in man-to-man defensive situations, he'll be able to do what he wants when he wants. As ever, defending screen-and-rolls remains one of Bryant's weaknesses. Dwyane Wade will be healthy, well-rested and raring to go. However, his power drives will be somewhat inhibited by the zones and his shaky jumpers will be exposed. Wade's effectiveness will show its best advantage in fast break and early offense situations. His defense has always been underrated and will show to good advantage here. Michael Redd is the only deluxe shooter on the team. Look for him to be a one-man zone-buster though opposing defenses will point their zones in his direction. Tayshaun Prince's long-limbed defense will create an inordinate amount of tips, deflections, blocked shots and outright steals. His lack of strength will be offset by his quickness, savvy and versatility. Given the structure of the squad, Prince won't be granted much playing time. Verdict: Incomparable athleticism. Some of the best finishers ever assembled. Good overall defense, but only Kobe and Redd are dead-eye shooters. Still, a huge edge over the competition. Power Forwards LeBron James will swing between the small and power forward slots. At either position, he'll be a powerhouse scorer because he's so strong and so creative that he'll be able to penetrate into the paint against even the most forbidding zones. Given the shorter 3-point line and lesser defenders, James' outside shooting will also be vastly more effective. Plus, he has the ability to grab a rebound and unilaterally initiate a fast break. Look for James to be the single most important player on the team. Carmelo Anthony will play both the small and power forward positions for Team USA, and his ability to create his own shot should pay dividends in the 2008 Olympics. (Garrett Ellwood / Getty Images) Carmelo Anthony will likewise alternate between the two forward positions. Of all of his considerable talents, his ability to create his own shots and plug perimeter springers will be most emphasized. And if he's never played adequate defense before, he's sure not going to start doing so come August. Chris Bosh is the lone legitimate power forward. He's a wonderful mid-range shooter from the baseline and the foul line, and he's fast enough to run with his teammates. Too bad that except for an occasional foray to block shots from the weak side, Bosh is a lightweight defender. On this team, Bosh rates as the last man off the pine. Verdict: No other team can hope to match the mobility, ball-handling and creativity of James and Anthony. Their defense, though, is questionable. Centers Carlos Boozer can — and will — play both frontcourt spots. His rebounding, mid-range shooting and general toughness will be put to good use. But his post-up game lacks the explosiveness to be effective against sagging zones. Dwight Howard's task is to rebound. Period. Sure, he'll block an occasional shot and execute one of his power drop-steps when good pass-work makes opponents pay for overloading their zones. But his overall defense is weak and his free-throw shooting is unpredictable. Howard's ability to clean the glass will be a critical component in the running game. Verdict: Unsurpassed power matched with easily surpassed defense. Team USA's outlook In the long view, Team USA has unbeatable athleticism, speed and quickness. With Kidd setting the tone, their unselfish passing will create dunks, layups and a bountiful number of open shots. With James, Boozer and Howard, they should also be able to dominate the boards. Yet this team does have several flaws: In a competition where outside shooting is absolutely necessary, only Redd, Bryant and Anthony qualify as dead-eye jump shooters. Discounting Paul's ball-swiping gambles, the only lock-down defenders are Bryant and Prince. Their interior defense can be exploited by clever opponents. Screen-and-roll defense will still be troublesome. Their power is limited to Boozer, Howard and James. As ever, this team will have to run to succeed. Prediction: Despite a surprising number of relatively close games, Team USA's overwhelming talent and depth will enable them to win the gold. http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8272690/Team-USA-has-athleticism,-speed-to-win-in-Beijing However, the high screen pick and roll run by International teams combined with Zone defenses and hot 3 pt shooting has undone team USA in the past. I would not say Team USA winning the Gold is a slam dunk.
I'm with abc2007. It's a little disappointing to only see three big men on the roster. They could be in trouble if Dwight Howard backs out or gets injured since he's exactly the type of player the International competition with have no match for outside of Yao, of course.
I think we can get the gold with this roster. Just gotta get the chemistry right. On paper we are the best team by a mile but same could be said for Athens. USA for the Gold! Argentina for Silver! China for Bronze! Greece in 4th place.
The olympic games are different form nba playoffs! It is not 4 wins of 7 games. It is only one game to decide win or lose after group games. I don't think outside shooting is reliable in that situation, even for the team USA.
If this squad still can't win in Beijing, there is something wrong with NBA. Stern needs to take a long and hard look at the rules. Maybe getting rid of hand check on the outside, protecting big man's game is not a bad idea.
They plan to use LeBron and Melo as PF I would imagine. Running some small ball when Dwight isn't on the court.
The only "power" guys on the team are Howard and Boozer because Bosh is not a power player. Those two guys must rebound and defend well or Team USA will be taken advantage of inside, especially on the offensive boards. Keep in mind that Boozer is a poor defender in most every sense of the word. I think we are going to have some trouble. Anybody who says Team USA is a "slam dunk" to win the gold is overconfident. I would make them the favorites but wouldn't be surprised if they lost in the medal round. If they don't learn how to defend the high PnRs, rebound the ball and shoot well from outside, they won't will the gold. Chris Paul better not play like a deer in the headlights and allow opposing PGs to work him over. Howard must stay out of foul trouble. Melo, Kobe, LeBron and Wade will have to score the ball efficiently and carry the load. Michael Redd needs to nail the open looks he gets.
It only takes one game where the opposition get super hot to eliminate team USA, like so many tournments before this one. But this team does look a lot better than other recent team USA.
I'm more concerned about shooting than size. That's what killed us in athens, and in the world championships. Paul, Wade, Lebron, even Melo are all streaky from the outside. Where's Mike Miller? I know that they don't want to exclude a guy like Wade or Melo, but they are kind of redundant as far as their role on this team.
I think offense isn't a problem, to me where the U.S. seems to falter is on pick and roll defense. It's going to be up to the coaching staff to do their homework and see what kind of defense they'll throw at certain teams. You know when they play China they're going to double team Yao on practically every touch. Spain shouldn't be that difficult to scout since some of their roster plays here. Do they even have an inside game? There are still two wild card teams to be decided for the first round, but it seems the U.S. should have no problems until the elimination stages.
We are definitely going to win in the preliminary rounds. No doubt in my mind. The real challenge is when the knock out round begins. In a single game elimination, any decent team as a shot at winning. I wouldn't be shocked to see us lose to Argentina, Spain, Italy, or Greece again if we are off and they are on fire.
I could see the US having problems with China...Yao is kryptonite to Dwight and Yi matchs up pretty well with Bosh...may be a bit too weak to handle Boozer, but he has the length to make things difficult for him and Wang Zhiwhatever off the bench has the shooting range to give Dwight major headaches and some problems for Booz/Bosh.
QUESTION: Would you be in favor of the NBA taking on the INTERNATIONAL rules like on GoalTending. . . I would not and It is one of the rules I hate most about International Competition [Nofan of the Trapazoid either - favors the offense too much] Rocket River
Unless the Chinese National Team's guard play has improved by leaps and bounds, no way they can beat Team USA. No way on planet Earth. But when they get better guards, the CNT will go to the next level and contend. Maybe they have already.
