U.S. Mens Basketball: The Team We Should Have Sent [long]

A few disclaimers:

1) I have bad insomnia
2) I have put a lot of thought into the ramblings that will follow

I have groused throughout these Olympics that my problem with our basketball team is that it is not our best team. I know, I'm the only person in the world who feels that way.

Anyway, it's really bothered me trying to figure out what our truly best team would look like.

I'm proud to present it to you here below. This team would bring home the goal easily. This team would be fun to watch. This team should be in Athens right now.

I have based my team on three basic principles: 1) Defense, 2) Passing, 3) Shooting. Whenever possible, I've tried to populate the roster with players who excel in all three areas. However, in some cases, a player may only excel at two, and in a small number of instances, I have included a specialist.

My roster consists of:

2 true Point Guards
1 swing player who can move over to point
4 true swing players, combining defensive specialists with shooters
5 true big men, all of whom can pass, play defense, and most of who can shoot

Here's my starting lineup:

PG -- Give me either Mike Bibby or Sam Cassell. Either one. Both of them can do it all: defend, pass, and shoot. Both have the stats to back it up. These two are America's most complete all-around point guards.

SG -- I'm starting Paul Pierce as a shooter because I'm going to use my starting SF spot for a defensive bulldog. However, there are plenty of swing players on the bench who bring a more complete, well-rounded emphasis to this position and SF.

SF -- From my SF, I've decided I want a guy who can be put on the whatever Euro shoots the best and will completely shut down and annihilate the guy, demoralizing him {I mean you, Jasikevicius}. Ron Artest is that guy. Everyone knows about his defense. His 3-pt. shooting and assist numbers are surprisingly good. But he starts for his defense. On my Olympic team, I always want a minimum of 1 defensive ace.

PF -- Kevin Garnett is simply the most complete all-around player. He's got the size. He passes extremely well for a big man. And he gets the nod over Duncan because I think he will compliment the 5 better. Not a lot of explanation needed here. I also start him for his defensive intensity and tenacity. His fiery attitude plays more to the American strength, in my opinion than Duncan's.

C -- Shaquille O'Neal. No other basketball player in the world can do what he does. He embodies everything that everyone loves and hates about the U.S. Raw power. Uncheckable power.

Starters--

Mike Bibby or Sam Cassell
Paul Pierce
Ron Artest
Kevin Garnett
Shaquille O'Neal

Bench:

Backup PG: Dwayne Wade. Anyone who has watched these Olympics knows why he makes the team. His defense, energy and speed are just about unmatched. Whichever guy starts--Cassell or Bibby--can handle the scoring aspects of the PG role. Wade is a nice change-of-pace 1.

Swing player: Lebron James. Ditto most of what I said about Wade. The great thing about James is that you can play him at the point where he can provide excellent defense and passing, or you can play him at the 3 where he provides excellent defense and passing. He also gets out on the fast break extremely well and plays above the rim. This an area where we still have the advantage on the rest of the world.

Backup 2/3: Doug Christie or Bruce Bowen can fill this role. Both have incredible defensive presences. They can truly harrass another player and make his day miserable. Both have better than expected 3-pt. percentages. I might give the nod to Doug Christie as I think his passing numbers are a little better, but I'll take either one and be happy.

2/3 Shooting Specialist: Brent Barry. Between Pierce, James, and Christie or Bowen, we've got enough of the all-around covered. Barry gives the team an outstanding outside spot-up shooter and another outstanding passer.

Backup Big #1: Tim Duncan. This really doesn't need much of an explanation, but basically. . . he does everything well. Plus, he can play the 4 or the 5.

Backup Big #2: Brad Miller. Passes exceptionally well for a big man. Can step out and shoot with range. Also can play the 4 or the 5. Has mean attitude which goes well when facing nasty foreign villains.

Backup C: Ben Wallace. The man brings his lunchpail to work, and he can defend and rebound as if those things were tasks he were paid to complete.

I love this team. I don't think this team has any weaknesses. It's got it all. It can shoot. It can pass--it can REALLY pass. And most and best of all, it can defend like a motherdefender.

In summary:

1- Mike Bibby -or- Sam Cassell
2- Dwayne Wade
3- Lebron James
4- Paul Pierce
5- Doug Christie -or- Bruce Bowen
6- Brent Barry
7- Ron Artest
8- Kevin Garnett
9- Tim Duncan
10- Brad Miller
11- Shaquille O'Neal
12- Ben Wallace

No Kobe. No T-Mac. They're great NBA players, but they don't get it done in the Olympics.

This is the best team America could send, and this team would bring home the gold. Every single player adds something to the whole. This team exudes strength and beauty and pretty much everything good at all. This team would play the international game with style and aplomb.

I feel much better now, just knowing who our best really would be. If only we'd sent them.

 

watching the game today, and after just a little bit of sleep, I came to the conclusion that Pierce was the probably the weakest link of the team I assembled.

I think his 3-pt. shooting percentage was what swayed me, but I could certainly live with a healthy Tracy McGrady over Pierce. they could both fill the same role pretty well, I think.

 

looking at his stats from last year, I was a little disappointed to see Redd's percentage was not as high as I thought it'd be. I actually went into the process thinking I'd probably take Redd. I thought there were comparable shooting options who brought more defensively than him.

I would probably lean toward Bibby over Cassell, too, especially if we're factoring in real-life injuries. however, if they're both completely healthy, I might like to see Sam get a little more love. I think he's one of the most underrated players of all time.

I would also lean toward Christie over Bowen.