Team USA (basketball)

[Dark Janza]

This thread is for the purpose of talking about team USA. The following is a list of the 33 players that currently have a commitment to TEAM USA:

There are 33 players committed to Team USA, Here is the complete list: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Nick Collison (Seattle SuperSonics); Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Shawn Marion (Miami Heat); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats); Greg Oden (Portland Trail Blazers); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Luke Ridnour ( Seattle SuperSonics); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). (courtesy of Utah Jazz website)

I guess the first thing to talk about is which twelve of these men should be on the team. I need to finish some cleaning for my cleaning check, but I will start typing up something for each player after this. That, and I will say who my twelve are.

Have fun

[Apoo]

guys that will be on the team for sure

Kobe, Bron, Melo, Wade, Paul, Howard.

[ifeanyi84]

is wade healthy enough right now to play on the team? if he is, then yeah, all of those guys are pretty much locks. for some i also think that tyson chandler will be on the team and is more of a sure pick than some of the bigger name players that are on that list.

[Dark Janza]

*Carmelo Anthony (PF can play SF)- He is a talented starter from Denver. He was one of the leading scorers in the league. Then again, his team was the "best offense" in the west. Anthony excels at international play. His rebounding shouldn't be coughed at either. He can shoot, and he can move. CONS: The guy does have an attitude and didn't play "d" this post-season. Also, he doesn't have one of the best shooting percentages... he makes his living making free throws.

*Gilbert Arenas ( Combo Guard... PG)- Agent 0 Starts for the Wizards. He is finally healthy after missing most of the last season. His offensive play is legit but the defense is suspect. CONS: Health is an issue. Also, the guard categories are the most loaded of all... difficult to make.

*Shane Battier (Forward?)- I think he starts for the Rockets... my memory is fuzzy right now. I have seen this guy make some clutch shots. He is a tough player that brings energy onto the floor. You have to guard him on the perimeter or he can burn ya. CONS: I am pretty sure he is a forward... if that is true... he doesn't bang in the post like we would need.

*Chauncey Billups (PG)- Billups is the veteran starting point guard for the Pistons. He can play... no doubt. He has won championships. CONS: Only the 4th best PG from this list.

*Chris Bosh (PF)- He starts for the Raptors. He is one of the best PFs. I can't say too much about his game, other than he is a star. CONS: I am not sure I can see him bumping witht he best as a low post presence... or maybe I am crazy.

*Carlos Boozer (PF)- Boozer starts for the Jazz. He is one of the best PFs in the game when you consider what you want one for. He can score... he is a threat in the low post, and he can rebound. He has power at his disposal. One of the best things about him, he can score with either hands. CONS: He is only the second best player off of the Jazz roster, and his "d" needs some work.

*Bruce Bowen (F?)- He has a lot of experience and he plays for the Spurs. He is one of the best defensive players in the league. CONS: does it matter? The Spurs bore me.

*Elton Brand (PF)- He has a lot of talent. He is big and has power if I remember correctly. CONS: He has been injured for sooooooooooo long.

*Kobe Bryant (SG)- Kobe starts for LA and is arguably the best player in the wrold right now. He is the current MVP. He is one of the hardest people to guard in the world, and he can play "d" too. CONS: Attitude

*Tyson Chandler (C)- He starts for the Hornets. He is a big part of why they had a successful season... although Paul and West were the biggest reasons why. He can play "d" and can rebound with the best. CONS: Don't know much about him, but does he have any offense?

*Nick Collison- *cough* playsforSeattle *cough*

*Kevin Durant (What position does he play? SG or SF?)- Durant was the ROY this year. He is the future of the Sonics. CONS: He plays for Seattle...

*Kirk Hinrich (PG)- Plays for the Bulls... he is a good player, but he is at best the 5th best PG from the list. CONS: Not worth taking when their are many better guards.

*Dwight Howard (C)- Superman... he is probably the best center in the league right now. He can rebound... he can score. CONS: His legs are kinda weak... look at them.

*Joe Johnson- I don't know much more than the fact that he is a good part of why the Hawks were able to hang for so long with the Celtics.

*Jason Kidd (PG)- He isn't as good as he used to be, but he is a genuine leader. He has plenty of international experience. I am not sure, but I think he might have been on one of the Olympic teams when Jordan was goin. CONS: He is getting old and is only the 3rd best PG in the list.

*LeBron James (SF)- If Kobe is the best in the game right now, I would say LeBron is possibly the most talented. We shall see within the next couple of years. Anyway, I think he was a lot better for team USA than Anthony for the simple fact that his play seemed pretty efficent. CONS: Wasn't the most consistent in the playoffs.

*Antawn Jamison- He starts for the Wizards at PF I think. He is skilled, but not enough for this.

*Shawn Marion (PF)- The guy can guard any position it seems. He can score well enough. His health may be suspect.

*Brad Miller- I don't know much about him.

*Mike Miller- I can't remember his position, but I remember him being brought in last summer for the shooting. The thing is that their are plenty of shooters. (notice I am getting tired of this typing ) His team sucked balls this season.

*Adam Morrison- Plays for Charlotte, but what has he done? I remember him being skilled and all, but I haven't seen anything from him in over a year it seems.

*Greg Oden- Come on. He hasn't played a single rookie game. We should only take him if we are lacking when it comes to centers. Although, I am excited to see the Blazers next season.

*Lamar Odom (PF)- He is one of the biggest parts of the Lakers success. Take either Him, Gasol, or Kobe away and the team is mediocre. He can move. This guy is a quick big pplayer. CONS: Is he worth it over other big men?

*Chris Paul (PG)- He is arguably the best point guard int he league right now. I still think D-Will is his equal, but that is another topic. Take him from NO and they wouldn't be able to make the playoffs. This guy has an all around good game for a guard. He can shoot and he can dribble. He is good on "d" and has active hands... getting a bunch of steals. His biggest asset is his slashing I would call it. He dribbles to the basket with speed. CONS: He is a small guard. The other top guards from this list can still play at SG if needed. That, and international play makes his biggest asset a difficulty. They plug up the lanes.

*Paul Pierce (SF)- Mr. Finals MVP himself. There is too much I could say about him. He was a large part of shutting down Kobe in the Finals. The guy can play. He can shoot and can play the SG spot. CONS: Hard to come up with any ATM

*Tayshaun Prince (SF?)- The guy is a champion, and knows the all around game. CONS: While he is a champ, he isn't the most skilled person that could be taken, but he was valuable last summer.

*Michael Redd- The guy can shoot, but I think their are better options. He was brought in as a shooter last summer.

*JJ Redick- Has anyone seen him do anything 'cept Better Basketball?

*Luke Ridnour- I know nothing about him but that he is a Sonic.

*Amare Stoudamire (PF/C)- The guy still is one of the best centers int he league in my mind. He isn't a bad PF either. He has a fantastic offensive game and can rebound. CONS: Does he play that great of D?

*Dwyane Wade (SG)- The dude can get to the basket with the best of them. He can play... CONS: My issue with him is his health.

*Deron Williams (PG)- If CP3 is the best PG right now, D-Will is right up there with him. They are both rising stars. Williams can play "d". He is pretty quick, but his advantage is his size. He has power over other guards. He is a great shooter, and he can get to the basket, and he can dunk over some of the best blockers int he league... as a PG. Like Paul, if you took him out of Utah, they would be in trouble. CONS: His lack of experience...

[Evil Sannin]

Originally Posted by Lucky Rou

guys that will be on the team for sure

Kobe, Bron, Melo, Wade, Paul, Howard.

you can add J.Kidd to that list, I don't think they'll pass him up with the chemistry he had with the team...and Bron...in the qualifying rounds

[Apoo]

You are seriously a homer if you think Williams is as good as Paul. Seriously.

[Dark Janza]

I know this is a double post, but the last one was for information purposes. This post is who I would pick.

Center:
Dwight Howard
Amare Stoudamire

Power Forward:
Carlos Boozer
Chris Bosh

Small Forward:
LeBron James
Carmelo Anthony (bear with me)

Shooting Guard:
Kobe Bryant
Paul Pierce (still bear with me)

Point Guard (and order doesn't matter for this part):
Jason Kidd
Deron Williams
Chris Paul

That leaves one open spot. My top three that I would consider for the opening are Tayshaun Prince, Lamar Odom, and Dwyane Wade. I have my doubts aobut Wade with all the injury issues of late. Lamar Odom is good, but I don't know if he is the right fight. That leaves Tayshaun Prince. He helped last summer. I will come back to the last one later.

My Starting lineup would be Jason Kidd at PG, Kobe at SG, LeBron at SF, Superman at C, and either Boozer or Bosh for PF, but I am a Jazz fan so I will say Boozer.

Since we don't have the bigs we would need, I put Amare as a backup center. He can fill in the role well, or play power forward if needed.

Carmelo can play the SF. It would be reminiscent of Ginobli coming off the bench for SA if he was doing this for Team USA.

Bosh is a good power forward. He would have crazy energy coming off of the bench.

Paul Pierce is an awesome player. He can shoot, and I really think he could play the SG for us well... and would be a good second team player.

Williams and Paul are still young. They would benefit from Kidds leadership. That, and being young players, you can put them in at any time and expect them to play.

With my starters....

Everybody is a given but Boozer and Kidd. Kidd has a lot of international competion under his belt. He may not be what he was before, but he was a big part of Team USA's success last summer.

Carlos Boozer is one of the best power forwards right now. The rest of you might think that I am crazy, but you just don't see him play enough. Watch, if he makes the team, you won't be disappointed. that, and he used to play for coach K I believe.

That leaves or last spot. This one is tough. I like all three of them as Team USA players. Tayshaun is a solid choice. If Wade isn't healthy enough, I would most likely go with him. If Wade is healthy, he probably would go. I hope Odom gets a chance at some point, but I am not sure he would make it. Then again, I would take Odom any day over Carmelo Anthony.

The most important part of this team will be the point guard position. You want three of them.

EDIT... Okay Tony... let's think about this. Their PPG was almost identical as was their APG. Funny thing is that Deron shoots at a better percentage. He has power where Paul has speed. Their style of play is a little different, and they play under much different systems. They have both led their teams to the playoffs, but Williams has done it twice and made it to the Conference Finals. He has size over Paul which will make a lot of difference in the Olympics. Also, have you ever watched them play against eachother? Deron Williams generally comes out on top when they play each other.

I'm a homer? You, sir, or on crack. Try watching a couple of Jazz games.

[Apoo]

Yes, Homer.

Paul is better in nearly every category. Points, Assists, Steals and even Rebounding.Have you even checked Turnovers and PER?!? Plus, he considerably makes everyone else around him better. Where the hell was Chandler before playing with Chris Paul? Also, Paul can take it to another level when he has to. Can William really increase his level so much where's he can give you 30 pts and 12 asts for a series in the playoffs? Williams is the type of pg than can give you 20 and 10, which is crazy good but that's all he's able to do. He's not the type that can take it up to that level where you are basically unstoppable like Paul has done.

By the way, I made this thread one this topic before the season started at bball forums. Go see what other fans of the NBA think on this matter. If you want to plead your case, you are welcome to as well.

[Dark Janza]

I forgot the Turnovers, but yes.... Williams can go off for 30 and 12. He can up his game. He makes his entire team better. Paul isn't unstoppable or else he would be an NBA champ now.

Points and assists are nearly identical for the two. We will put that aside. Yes Williams turns it over more, but you need to look at the styles of play. And... rebounds? I don't need a point guard that rebounds.

Bah... maybe I will go argue there, but not for a bit.

Seriously though Tony, you ever watch the Jazz play?

[Apoo]

I watch the jazz just as much as I watch the Hornets. Enough to know that Paul is in another level that Williams can't touch. You're just another homer over hyping your guys.

Paul scores 4 more a game, he has more assists, he steals the ball, and even though he's smaller he can't get you more rebounds. He's WAY ahead of Williams in PER. Seriously last time I checked it was 22-17?!? And the golden stat for pgs, TOs, which Paul rarely ever does.

And the time that I've seen the Jazz in the playoffs, Derron has not been unstoppable were he's the best player on the court on and no one can guard him.

[Dark Janza]

22-17 doesn't seem that big to me. Its more like 3 points, not 4 for the point difference. He gets what... an assist more? We are talking about completely different style of play.

Let's look at one thing. Look at the way the Nuggets play. They score a lot, but they don't stop the other team from scoring a lot. Now look at LeBron. The Cavs score a lot less than the Nuggets. LeBron still scored a lot. Which is more impressive? Granted, the Jazz were one of the high scoring teams (lot of people got involved too), but the point is that you can't just go off a PPG and such.

Screw this... I can argue with you about this until pigs fly. No point really.

I will say this, I am certain "Deron" will last longer in the league. He can take more.

I do want to say one thing... you are too focused in purely stats. Some things a player does aren't measured in just that. I will bet you that he is a better one on one or as somebody says in your thread... "man to man" defense.

Ever heard.... defense wins championships?

[Apoo]

I will say this, I am certain "Deron" will last longer in the league. He can take more.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? And how does that make him a better or an equal player?

Paul is better 90% of stats, including important one like TOs and Per. And since when is Williams known for his great defense? Ask preety much any sports pundit and they clearly for vote Paul. The guy was an MVP candidate this year just because how much better he made his teammates.

[Dark Janza]

Any sports pundit will vote for Paul but they will say Williams is right up there with him... I think Bill Russel said that Williams was very close in Paul's rear-view mirror.

I think Williams will last longer because he is bigger. I think CP3s career will be plagued with injury.


ANYWAY, I don't want to argue about this with you in here. That isn't the purpose of this thread. If you want, we can argue somewhere else.

[ifeanyi84]

there is only one thing i dont understand about the way team USA was selected and is constituted. why is there only one real center on the team? 3 point guards, 3 shooting guards, 3 small forwards, 2 power forwards and 1 center? i dont really understand the rational behind it.

[X2thaU]

because look at the lineup. there are guards that easily play (international) centers. Big guys are nessecary, but they dont have to be centers

[Dark Janza]

NBA.com: USA Basketball Announces 12-Member 2008 Men’s Senior National Team

The team has been announced. I was pretty close... cept for Pierce and Stoudamire. D-Wade and Prince both made it. Michael Redd was the one I didn't expect.