The way I see it the center position in international play is not too important for the US team either................except perhaps against Spain if the Gasol Bros. and Ibaka start pounding us inside. And lets be honest, that's the team with the best chance of beating us. Howard or not, our strategy wasn't going to change- pressure the perimeter on defense, crash the boards as a team, get out and run the break as much as possible and in the half court rely primarily on dribble penetration and the creativity of our core guys to make some offense happen. Howard or his presumable replacement big man weren't going to be key figures in the offense either way- they would just be tasked with defensive intensity, rebounding and the occasional alley oop. I just think taking a guy like Chandler could do those things better than any other replacement I can think of and at the same time will be the insurance against the chance that Spain is working us on the inside.
Bosh was fantastic in Beijing, he created a lot of problems defensively for teams trying to pick and roll with his man as the screener. I expect him to do the same.
Stoudemire has been awful this season. I don't trust his decision making, his defense, his rebounding or his health. He's taken a huge step back from a year or two ago.
As far as I see it the following guys are still locks for the team or close to locks:
Point Guards- Rose, Paul, Williams
Wings- Kobe, Lebron, Durant, Wade, Carmelo
Bigs- Bosh, Love
We would need to bring one more true big and even though I like Jordan and Monroe (not so much McGee), I still think Chandler brings more to the table right now.
Last edited by NorCal; 04-22-2012 at 05:21 AM.
Great observations NorCal. I agree. Howard's abscence won't dramatically change the US's gameplan on offense (as you described). Where he might be missed is his inside presents as a defender and rebounder, especially against the Spanish frontline and maybe the Russians if they qualify over the summer. With so many injuries potentially plaguing the line-up, I could see a scenario where the US's chemistry could be put to the test. The core group haven't played with one another in four years, and then you add replacement guys to the mix and it could put the US at a real disadvantage against more seasoned, veteran teams like Spain, France or Argentina. Taking injuries/fatigue into account, my roster would look something like this...
PG: Williams, Paul, Rose (Westbrook as Rose's replacement)
SG: Byrant, Wade,
SF: Durant, James, Anthony
PF/C: Love, Bosh, Chandler,
12th man possibilities: Jordan (Clippers), Novak (Knicks), Monroe (Pistons), Evans (Sacramento) or top college prospect.
If for some reasons (injuries obviously) Bryant and Wade (these where the key players in 2008 USA team IMO: Wade was the biggest nightmare matchup with unstoppable offensive rebounds and Bryant's clutch offensive presence) would skip Olympics I would see this team possibly having hard time. I mean, I'm not sure Durant will ever be that dominant as in 2010 - the team won't be based on him probably and WC is not Olympics (besides his consistency in WC was amazing, hard to repeat). Lebron never was that good in international games as he is in NBA and some players naturally can't be that good as in NBA (we discussed these things already). For me, Bryant and Wade are those two players than can overcome any walls and to assure USA success. Just thinking, off course USA will bring nightmare (for opponents) roster no-matter what...
Spain's problem is 3 and 4 positions. If they have extreamely good guards (too bad Rubio is out, but still) and centers, they don't have much of power in 3 and 4 and USA are very good at these positions.
The flick from the future...
STOP IT.Originally Posted by Straight forward
Let's compare stats from Beijing:
LeBron: 15.5 PPG, .663 TS%, 42 rebounds, 30 assists
Kobe: 15.0 PPG, .549 TS%, 22 rebounds, 17 assists
I was going to say the same thing. If you watched all those games Lebron and Wade clearly looked like our best players. Everyone remembers Kobe's shot at the end of the gold medal game, perhaps that is what sticks in people's minds?
As much as I would like a Sacramento Kings player to be on the pool or let alone the elite 12 for the Olympics, Evans is not an ideal fit for this team. Evans has tunnel vision instead of floor vision and does not even call a pick and roll. Players like Evans will stagnate the offense. In 2010, Coach K dropped Evans.12th man possibilities: Jordan (Clippers), Novak (Knicks), Monroe (Pistons), Evans (Sacramento) or top college prospect.
Draft Wishlist:
PG Michael Carter-Williams / 21 yrs. old / 6'5
PF Livio Jean-Charles / 19 yrs. old / 6'9
Sacramento Kings 2013-14: THY KINGDOM COME
HERE WE STAY UNTIL THE COWBELLS COME HOME
Draft Wishlist:
PG Michael Carter-Williams / 21 yrs. old / 6'5
PF Livio Jean-Charles / 19 yrs. old / 6'9
Sacramento Kings 2013-14: THY KINGDOM COME
HERE WE STAY UNTIL THE COWBELLS COME HOME
Tyson Chandler is looking forward to suiting up for the London Olympics.
Tyson Chandler ‘Ready to Represent’ USA at the Olympics
Draft Wishlist:
PG Michael Carter-Williams / 21 yrs. old / 6'5
PF Livio Jean-Charles / 19 yrs. old / 6'9
Sacramento Kings 2013-14: THY KINGDOM COME
HERE WE STAY UNTIL THE COWBELLS COME HOME
Coach Mike Krzyzewski was court side in New York tonight (4/26/2012) watching the Knicks vs Clippers game. He commented on team USA during "The New York minute" interview. He made comments on Melo, Tyson Chandler and Chris Paul, Blake Griffin.
VIDEO!
http://www.msg.com/videos/mike-krzyz...ork-minute-425
Team USA will NOT add any new players to the prelim roster.
http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketba...oster-injuries
Do you guys think it is a mistake for USAB not to add replacements?
Depends if the roster can make it through injury free in the playoffs. Love will be done after the game tonight, so he'll be fine, but Bosh will likely have a long playoff run so there's no telling.
The Rules learned in the Prediction game.
1: Brazil is always disappointing
2: Never dismiss Argentina solely because of age.
3: Never bet against Spain in a knockout game, unless it is against the US.
There is a possibility of Demarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings) and Anthony Davis (Kentucky) would be added to the USA Select TEAM. Both are former Wildcats. Maybe Jeremy Lin would be selected for the said team as well.
Draft Wishlist:
PG Michael Carter-Williams / 21 yrs. old / 6'5
PF Livio Jean-Charles / 19 yrs. old / 6'9
Sacramento Kings 2013-14: THY KINGDOM COME
HERE WE STAY UNTIL THE COWBELLS COME HOME
Derrick Rose tears his ACL. He is done for the season. No Olympics
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story...adelphia-76ers
Unlike the frontline the US is crazy deep in the back court. Most likely Westbrook will get the nod.
The Rules learned in the Prediction game.
1: Brazil is always disappointing
2: Never dismiss Argentina solely because of age.
3: Never bet against Spain in a knockout game, unless it is against the US.
Damn. Just damn. That's all I have to say.
Following Rose's year ending injury Colangelo is reassessing his options.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...ter_Candidates
The Rules learned in the Prediction game.
1: Brazil is always disappointing
2: Never dismiss Argentina solely because of age.
3: Never bet against Spain in a knockout game, unless it is against the US.
It's just sad.Iman Shumpert the hard working rookie went down too.
USA may be in a group of death for the Olympics
USA got potentially screwed in the Olympic draw. I don't think its unfair just screwed.
Q1 prediction:RussiaMen’s Olympic Basketball Tournament
Group A: Argentina, France, Tunisia, USA, OQT 1, OQT 2
Group B: Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain, Spain, OQT 3
So far nine men’s national teams (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Great Britain, Spain, Tunisia and USA) have already qualified.
The last three teams will qualify via the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for Men taking place in Caracas, Venezuela, 2-8 June. The OQT (Men) teams are: Angola, Dominican Republic, FYROM, Greece, Jordan, Korea, Lithuania, New Zealand, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Russia and hosts Venezuela.
Q2 prediction:Lietuva
Q3 prediction: Greece
USA may have Lietuva, Russia, Argentina,France in group stage. Screw job....
The two groups potentially look quite unbalanced, no doubt!
Last edited by carlo; 04-30-2012 at 08:11 PM.
Provided that Group A looks definitely tougher, a draw will define the order of the 3 OQT teams.
http://www.fiba.com/downloads/event/...ress-Kit.pdf?2
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