artmonkforHOF Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Here is the list of 12 representing the US in Beijing this summer. Keep in mind, I have no idea who is starting, I am listing positions by the best player IMO. PG-Chris Paul PG-Jason Kidd PG-Deron Williams SG-Kobe Bryant G-Dwayne Wade G/F-Michael Redd SF-Lebron James SF-Carmelo Anthony SF-Tayshaun Prince PF-Chris Bosh C-Dwight Howard C-Carlos Boozer Anyone else concered about the lack of depth in the front court? I know this is more of a jump shooting game than the NBA, but if any team has a good Center/Power Forward combo, or 3 or 4 7 footers they like to rotate in, I think Boozer, Bosh and Howard are going to get pretty tired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#98QBKiller Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Not a bad team...funny that none of the big 3 made it....is it possible that they had been contacted but just didn't want to play on the team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Well, I remember at the qualifying games in Vegas LeBron and 'Melo were the 3 and 4, so LeBron can get the 4 (or hell, he could also play the 2 if needed). Also, games are only 40 min. long, so I don't think there'll be a big problem (hell, in the playoffs, Howard AVERAGED over 40 min. per game). EDIT: As for the Big 3: Apparently KG just wasn't interested, Pierce: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2008-06-17-pierce-olympics_N.htm Allen, I understand (they already got shooters: Kobe, Wade, LeBron, 'Melo, Kidd, can all hit the three). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_Edwards_Fan Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Well, I remember at the qualifying games in Vegas LeBron and 'Melo were the 3 and 4, so LeBron can get the 4 (or hell, he could also play the 2 if needed). Also, games are only 40 min. long, so I don't think there'll be a big problem (hell, in the playoffs, Howard AVERAGED over 40 min. per game). I dont think the issue is stamina...i think the bigger issue is that the US bigs tend to get some quick whistles in international ball and foul trouble could be an issue without the frontcourt depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Melo plays the four, and Boozer will play the four. Bosh will probably backup the five spot. And Bron can play the four in a pinch in international ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisenberg Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Not a bad team...funny that none of the big 3 made it....is it possible that they had been contacted but just didn't want to play on the team? Which Big 3 are you referring to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jthor99 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I like the roster as well. But, my only issue is if others have mentioned if Howard and company get into foul trouble. The issue a few years ago was defense. The way the international teams move the ball this team is going to have to D up. People like Carmello (who I personally can't stand) is going to have to show that he's going to play defense. The new era of guys just haven't showed me there willing to do that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisenberg Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I like the roster as well. But, my only issue is if others have mentioned if Howard and company get into foul trouble.The issue a few years ago was defense. The way the international teams move the ball this team is going to have to D up. People like Carmello (who I personally can't stand) is going to have to show that he's going to play defense. The new era of guys just haven't showed me there willing to do that I know a team that can D it up with the best of em'. They can even score a bit too. They might be a little bit tired at this point though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMS Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Well, I remember at the qualifying games in Vegas LeBron and 'Melo were the 3 and 4, so LeBron can get the 4 (or hell, he could also play the 2 if needed). Also, games are only 40 min. long, so I don't think there'll be a big problem (hell, in the playoffs, Howard AVERAGED over 40 min. per game).EDIT: As for the Big 3: Apparently KG just wasn't interested, Pierce: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2008-06-17-pierce-olympics_N.htm Allen, I understand (they already got shooters: Kobe, Wade, LeBron, 'Melo, Kidd, can all hit the three). Peirce was on the last olypic team which lost. I think he came away from the entire experience pretty discusted by international basket ball. He along with Tim Dunken were fouled constantly in that tournement. The team had no outside shooters and suffered for it. Very frusterating for them... I remember and interview after their last game when they both said they weren't going to try out for the next team, give someone else a try... My problem with the current roster is the same problem I had with the last roster. We had scorers in Iverson and Peirce, but we didn't have any shooters. Guys who slash in to the paint to score aren't nearly as effective in the international game cause the paint is dominated by ghoons which hard foul every penetration. In 2004 we got beat cause we didn't have the pure shooters.... I believe Iverson was our best shooter on that team and he was 40th best shooter in the NBA at the time.. ( scoreing percentage shooting from the outside.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 My opinion is too many me-first players: Kobe Lebron Carmelo. Why is Kidd on the team again? As long as they use Redd for situational minutes only, he can't play D worth a damn. Where is Elton Brand? The opposition is going to pound the ball inside to create foul problems. This team, in my opinion, will not win Gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FanboyOf91 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 My opinion is too many me-first players:Kobe Lebron Carmelo. Why is Kidd on the team again? As long as they use Redd for situational minutes only, he can't play D worth a damn. Where is Elton Brand? The opposition is going to pound the ball inside to create foul problems. This team, in my opinion, will not win Gold. Watching Kidd getting burned will be painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Watching Kidd getting burned will be painful.Why not just field the original Dream Team? Dude can't guard NBA players like Janero Pargo! Young PGs from around the world (Juan Carlos Navarro anybody?) are going to destroy him. I hope he is only there to sit the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 International Basketball rules need a major overhaul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 International Basketball rules need a major overhaul. What would you change? I think this team will have to run to be successful, but they pretty much did that in Vegas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 What would you change? I think this team will have to run to be successful, but they pretty much did that in Vegas. 3 point line for starters. And I'd let them play basketball. Or make them wear skirts. either/or. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Weak point of this team if they are trying to get past the 2nd round: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jthor99 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I know a team that can D it up with the best of em'. They can even score a bit too.They might be a little bit tired at this point though. Garnett was one of the first people who came to my head when this roster was formed. I would rather have him over Boozer any day of the week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jthor99 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 My opinion is too many me-first players:Kobe Lebron Carmelo. Why is Kidd on the team again? As long as they use Redd for situational minutes only, he can't play D worth a damn. Where is Elton Brand? The opposition is going to pound the ball inside to create foul problems. This team, in my opinion, will not win Gold. I agree, By the way Brand is coming off achilles surgery and likely won't risk injury in Olympic games. My big issue is that this team of current players really aren't great defenders. I think this team can certainly win Gold, but again this new era of guys (and im only 23) doesn't repersent like guys of the past. They look at it differently. If we can D up then they will return the gold, if not then I don't see us doing any better than 4 years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 LOL at us if we lose this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujuskinsfan Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 awesome, this team will kick ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Garnett was one of the first people who came to my head when this roster was formed. I would rather have him over Boozer any day of the week He's not interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#98QBKiller Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Which Big 3 are you referring to? The one in your sig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisenberg Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Garnett has already won a Gold Medal (in 2000 I believe) - in 2004 he was getting married during the summer and so he sat out and this year his wife just gave birth to a baby last month I believe. As far as the big 3 go I think Team USA would be better with any or all of the 3 players who were willing to play but I'm pretty sure they are all exhausted after the Finals run. No clue what Carmelo is doing on this team. No defense and no ability to make teammates better. They have plenty of scorers on the team and they should have filled his spot with someone who actually attempts to play defense. Hell, Caron or Jamison could have made this squad better IMHO - although they might take the Gold anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Melo actually plays very well in international competition for whatever reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 International Basketball rules need a major overhaul.I think the NBA needs a major overhaul! International rules require you to have fundamentals, something the NBA began to lose in the 90's. John Stockton was the last player to dribble the ball without breaking the rules. Iversons famed crossover is so egregiously illegal it isn't even humorous. Lebron travels and carries every time he drives. Wade palms the ball. Kobe carries just about everytime he dribbles. The mid range jumber will kill the US team. Every int'l team can hit the 15-18' jumper, the US has maybe 2 guys who can cinsistantly knock it down. The best player in the Olympics for the US will most likely be Boozer. He has to be fundamentally sound in order to play his position in the NBA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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