I can still remember last summer's FIBA WC games in Asia; they were broadcast SO early here in the states.... but there I was, setting my alarm clock for 230am, 5am.... whatever time the tip was set to air. Because the true hoop fan doesn't wait for the replay. He watches live. I watched the prelims and we looked good; playing the much publicized PRESSURE defense that Coach K brought into the mix, and drubbing teams like Puerto Rico and China. But when we advanced to the medal rounds, the level of competion rose, and our Dream Team looked a little shaky. Without a near heroic performance by Carmelo Anthony in the game vs. Italy, we probably would have been bounced out in that game, and out of the tournament. Advancing into the semis, and probably guilty of looking past the Greek team towards Spain or Argentina who we would surely play in the finals, the USA team fell victim to the virus that seems to be plaguing USA hoops for the last few years: they lost. The scary thing was that Greece was not the better team. They just had guys like Billy and Popaloukas who pick and rolled us to death and didn't get fazed by the acclaimed PRESSURE D. This summer, however, will be much, much different. 8 players were named to the team last week, and the additions are intriguing. Let's look at who's in and who's out: The Final 12 from last year: Chris Paul Kirk Hinrich Dwayne Wade Joe Johnson Lebron James Carmelo Anthony Shane Battier Antawn Jamison Elton Brand Dwight Howard Brad Miller Chris Bosh The 25 Invitees this summer: (www.usabasketball.com) Jason Kidd Deron Williams Chauncey Billups Luke Ridnour JJ Redick Adam Morrison Michael Redd Kobe Bryant Mike Miller Lebron (who supposedly isn't playing) Carmelo Anthony Shane Battier Shawn Marion Bruce Bowen Kevin Durant Tayshaun Prince Antawn Jamison Chris Bosh Elton Brand Carlos Boozer Amare Stoudamire Tyson Chandler Dwight Howard Greg Oden OUT: D Wade - Rehab Arenas - headcase / Rehab Joe Johnson - Rehab Brad Miller - ineffective Chris Paul - rehab + how can you argue against upgradng to Billups and Kidd Lamar Odom - shoulder rehab Paul Pierce - ?? I hope that Jerry Colangelo and his staff put together a more balanced mix of role palyers and superstars this summer. If Lebron doesn't play, my vote for the 25th invitee would go for Kyle Korver. In fact, I would load the team with shooters, moreso than last year. This would be my 12: Chauncey Deron Williams Kirk Hinrich Redd Mike Miller Shane Tayshaun Shawn Marion Carmelo Elton Brand Amare Stoudamire Chris Bosh Notes - Kobe has the wrong attitude for this team. He would try to do too much by himself, which has been the MO of the recent teams. Yes he's a great individual player, however this team should be built around Carmelo, in my opinion. Amare's quickness and developing perimeter touch give him the edge over Dwight. Tayshaun's defesive ability gives him the edge over Twan. Who's your 12?
I don't understand why the always put rookies on there. How can they possibly be among the league's best?
the problem is that out national team has almost no practice time while the rest of the world prepares for this tournament all the time. the only way to win is if we send each years championship team. if any of thier players are playing for another country or just decline the invite then the HC gets to choose who he would like to invite as a replacement.
The problem with last year's team was they couldn't play D The Final 12 from last year: Chris Paul - No D Kirk Hinrich Dwayne Wade - No D(gambling in lanes isn't D) Joe Johnson - No D Lebron James - No D(see D. Wade) Carmelo Anthony - No D Shane Battier Antawn Jamison - No D Elton Brand Dwight Howard - Jumps for everything Brad Miller - No D Chris Bosh - No D We only had 3 players at best who actually plays defense. Of the 25 invitees, I'll take these 12. Jason Kidd Deron Williams Michael Redd Kobe Bryant Carmelo Anthony Shane Battier Kevin Durant Tayshaun Prince Chris Bosh Elton Brand Dwight Howard Greg Oden With Dwight Howard more disciplined than last year, that would make 7 legitimate defenders and better perimeter shooting from the wings.
Chris Paul and Carmelo each had 17 steals over the 9 games played. As a team, they forced 165 total turnovers against their 9 opponents, or 18 per game. Coach K based his whole defensive strategy on the fact that our team's personnel is made up of quicker and stronger athletes who have the ability to pressure the ball. He played the guys in the rotation (which was 10 deep with Brad Miller and Bosh not playing much) in 5 minute bursts, and he wanted them to go all out on both ends. We never countered with any kind of 'clog the lane' half court defense. We blitzed pick and rolls and pressured full court the entire tournament. This is why Greece was able to beat us fairly easily. The Greeks figured that the best way to defeat our pressure defense was to attack it, and they have players with exceptional ballhandling skills and quickness. I think the scheme was the problem, not the players defensive ability. Carmelo especially got after it on the defensive end game after game; WAY WAY more than I have ever seen him get after it in an NBA game, and I think the 5-6 minute bursts were the reason. Based on Coach K's gameplan, Carmelo excelled on the defensive end. If we can adjust and play a little more man to man half court helping defense against the teams who can handle the ball, I think we will be more successful. We need to be ready to adjust for the better teams.
How can you leave Billups off? And then you put two guys on the squad who have never even played pro ball?
My 12: Jason Kidd Chauncey Billups JJ Redick Adam Morrison Bruce Bowen Shane Battier Shawn Marion Chris Bosh Elton Brand Carlos Boozer Amare Stoudamire Dwight Howard Almost all shooters, tons of defense, great PG play. Mostly young enough that the core of the next team could be carried over from this one. I wish Timmy D would still play, I would take him over Amare any time, but that team should win gold.
My 12, with some writeups added: Jason Kidd < please please Chauncey Billups < cool, calm, championship caliber point guard. gotta add him Michael Redd < guys like him and Ray Allen seem to do well on the U.S. teams Kobe Bryant < may not like him, but no stage is too big for him Lebron James < I didnt like his approach the last tourney. when he simply gave a real damn he was unstoppable. i know he's only 22 and there's plenty talent at his position but he could be there more when his team needs him... Carmelo Anthony Shane Battier < glue-guy "role player" representative to show the team is making adjustments Shawn Marion Elton Brand Amare Stoudamire Dwight Howard < almost frightening the ease he would get boards and putbacks in the last world tourney. if its come around for him more now and if utilized right could be an absolute monster Tyson Chandler/Greg Oden < either-or, to add some size and length to the team, give them a presense at center Close but not quite: Carlos Boozer < he's a hot guy right now Mike Miller < could always use shooters Tayshaun Prince < EVERY team could always use a Tayshaun or a Gerald Wallace on it And guys who really SHOULD be on the team: Kevin Garnett Tim Duncan Shaq Tracy McGrady Allen Iverson < a couple more could be added but lets stop here... NO OTHER country could F- with a starting lineup of those 5 right there.
i don't think that team would do very well at all, especially the reddick, morrison, bowen trio (especially after the way bowen played in the warmup games last time, he was much worse than i thought he'd be). and kidd and marion probably wouldn't work out that well either as soon as it became important to knock down jumpers. maybe i'm wrong, but i just don't see enough experience or ability to step up under the pressure that the international games present on that team. i would take billups, williams at PG, redd, kobe at SG, lebron, carmelo, battier at SF, and brand, boozer, howard, amare at pf/c. maybe tayshaun as the 12th guy for his all-around play. both of the pg's and both of the sg's can shoot and only howard and lebron from the front court aren't solid jump shooters, but they kind of have to be on the team. both pg's are big and physical, kobe/lebron/carmelo gives you the swingman athleticism team USA always has and thrives off of, brand/boozer/howard go after rebounds very strongly, and battier/prince give you glue guys who can D up and hit an open 3. and amare is just the best big man available at that point and has a good enough jumper to make it on the team. so if all 25 are available, that's who i choose. if everyone was available. i'd have billups/williams at pg, kobe/wade/redd at sg, lebron/carmelo at sf, duncan/garnett/brand/boozer/howard at pf and c. maybe i'd put tmac in instead of howard, but either way, good luck against that.
I substitute Boozer for Brand and Prince for Battier. Definitely Oden over Chandler. This team would own the boards. It should pretty much be a dunkathon with Amare, Oden, Howard, and Marion. This team uses our main strengths (size and athleticism) instead of relying on shooters (something we get from overseas generally). If a team plays zone against us we will get every offensive board.
I'm a Canadian, so this matters little to me...but the first thing I think Team USA should do? Play these world championships with an all-college team. Guys with some heart, some passion. Guys who haven't made it yet and will do everything possible to do so. ...I mean, what the hell, its not like anyone really watches the world basketball thing, might as well make it a bit fun and give some guys an expirience of a lifetime.
Redick and Morrison are there to represent the young up and comers. They can also provide spot up shooting (especially with the international three that is more like college) that Team USA always seems to lack. That is when you run a Billups, Redick, Morrison, Battier, Bosh lineup.
Boozer for Brand seems too lateral move to me, but you're probably right about Prince over Battier though. Tayshaun can get his dunks in, too. Then from Kobe on down the only ones who WOULDNT join the dunk parade would be Kidd, Redd, and Billups. Though Redd and Billups CAN dunk easy, just not with the authority of the others. Oh wait...this isnt the type team we're "supposed" to be sending over anymore....
I agree, the NBA should have fun with this. For example just choosing a team that has guys named Johnson, James, Jackson, Smith, or Williams. They could still probably assemble the most talented team in the tourney - which is obviously not a guarantor of winning., so why not take a shot? I'm being completely serious: Derron Williams LeBron James Mike James Joe Johnson Stephen Jackson Jason Williams Marcus Williams Marvin Williams Maurice Williams Marc Jackson Josh Smith JR Smith I like that team. or how about an ALL PRESIDENTS team (have to have the last name of a former president) Stephen Jackson Marc Jackson Richard Jefferson Al Jefferson Joe Johnson Vince Carter TJ Ford Chuck Hayes David Harrison
This can't be repeated enough -- a last minute CBA team to the bronze -- then the last US gold medal in international b-ball at the 2000 olympics. Plus Rudy T had the insight to design this play for Carter... <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3iPVGlc2PC4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3iPVGlc2PC4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
