Hmm.. maybe LBj will wear LBJ X if they reach the semis or finals. By the way i think this will be the most exciting Olympic basketball ever with all teams with complete roster. Even Brazil which always gives Team USA a scare will have there best ever line up. That is scary Brazilian roster. Verejao and Nene will be a very physical and defensive frontline. http://www.basketeria.com.br/pt/naci...C3%A1lbum.html
While Spain is, as always looks scary. Team USA and Team Spain picture. team usa and span.jpg
That's not trueOriginally Posted by yogaflame
There're already confirmed absentees, such as:
Noah (France) - a key player, hardly replacable
Manimni, Beaubois also out
Rubio (Spain) - blossomed this season in NBA, surely wil be missed
Bogut (Australia) - irreplacable
Gordon (Great Britain) - never played before, but would have been big upgrate to the roster
Mullens also could've been helpfull
Bykov, Vorontsevic (Russia) - important players. The 1st probably would have been main PG, while the 2nd very important rotation player
Oberto (Argentina) - old, but as always usefull, so will be missed
Nigeria - could add atleast couple of decent players, who missed qualifiers, but not sure if they will
Lithuania also could strenghten their roster with Jasaitis, Seibutis, K.Lavrinovic, Motiejunas, but the last two won't be called
Basically there are only couple teams who might be at their best - Brazil (Hettsheimer is injured, but with current frontline, I doubt that he would be more than bench player), Tunisia (got no info about them) and China (if I'm not wrong)
Of course USA has also big missings towards the tournament, but they has the deepest depth to cope with it. I'm sure they will be hardly beatable. probably will cruise to gold without too much sweat
This olimpics are going to go again for USA. It seems that little has change from four years back to now. USA heavy favorite and Spain as their only serious threat. France, should go for bronze and not see as serious threat for USA and Brasil can be the sleeper, good squad and great coach (Ruben Magnano). Russia with great coach David Blatt, should also fight for medal. Out of the podium, Lithuania, Argentina (too old), China, Tunez, GB and Australia. Nigeria, great defense and good athletic players, do they have more weapons to get to the medals and be a threat for USA? We will know, in a few weeks.
The quality is certainly better than 2010, but it's not at its best.
There's still a lot of players who could be playing for their national teams in the Olympics.
NBA TV is showing the USA NT practice!
http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/1283...ch-nba-tv.html
Old timers pride.
Charles Barkley: Dream Team will beat 2012 Team USA
Barkley said that other than LeBron, Kobe and Durant, no other member impressed him.
Kobe disagrees,
Kobe Bryant: current Team USA would beat the 1992 Dream Team (Video)
Last edited by CKR13; 07-12-2012 at 12:47 AM.
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
I got videos:
http://telly.com/BTTTH
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
Guys do you know if Domincans will field their full squad tonight?
The game is rather late (03:00) so I wouldn't want to stay up to watch a blowout by 50 points if Horford, Garcia, Baez, Martinez etc... won't play.
BLAKE GRIFFIN twisted his knee during practice and is most likely out of team USA. Anthony Davis has been called up. Yahoo news is reporting this.
ESPN confirms Blake is out. http://forums.interbasket.net/showth...855#post715855
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin injured his knee during a scrimmage at Team USA training camp and is returning to Los Angeles to be examined by the Clippers' doctors, Yahoo! Sports reported.
Yahoo! Sports reports that Griffin "twisted" his knee and is expected to undergo an MRI exam as soon as Thursday. The website said the severity of Griffin's knee injury was unclear.
New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis, the NBA's 2012 No. 1 overall pick out of Kentucky, has been asked to report to Team USA training camp in Las Vegas "immediately," Yahoo! Sports reported.
Griffin signed a five-year extension with the Clippers that could be worth as much as $95 million on Wednesday.
Griffin averaged 20.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 66 games last season, helping the Clippers to a 40-26 record -- their first winning season since 2005-06 and their first playoff berth since then, as well. They beat Memphis in the first round, with Griffin averaging 18.0 points and 6.4 rebounds, before losing to San Antonio in the conference semifinals.
Davis had been added to the Hornets' summer league roster on Monday.
Davis was in Las Vegas last week for U.S. Olympic team tryouts, but a sore left ankle hampered his already slim chances to make the 12-man roster for the London Games.
The 6-foot-11 Davis had been listed as an Olympic alternate.
wow this may be the most injury plagued team ever in US Olympic history. Not to hate on Griffin though, but I always considered him an extra big body on this team, if Davis is healthy it's not huge difference in what they provide this team.
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.
I actually prefer Blake over Anthony Davis. I think there are better alternatives than both. I like Javele McGee, David Lee, Greg Steisma, Lopez brothers, Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert(If availible by FIBA.) The list goes on for 3rd string centers. Kendrick Perkins, Cole Aldridge, Nick Collison, DeMarcus Cousins. Any of the above players are good at the 5 spot. I like Javele McGee and Tyler Hansbrough.
Last edited by Raze Lupin; 07-12-2012 at 07:16 PM.
It's a never-ending story!
Though imo A Davis has a great potential, I hardly imagine how he can face big guys with a huge international experience...and hoping he is 100% OK !
Oh I have no problem saying Blake is better, but at the position of the 11th or 12th man on the team it's not a huge loss, disappointing though.
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.
So you think USA will be ok with an even thinner front court? Davis hasn't played pro ball. It looks to me like this team is in trouble.
No I'm saying Love and Chandler were likely to take up the bulk of the time at the 5 for the majority of the games anyway. Davis just needs to rebound, defend, and be an extra body in the block, he's not as good as Blake, but I never considered Blake vital to gold.
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.
Select team is beating the National team.
http://forums.interbasket.net/showth...902#post715902
"We got the best of them today," a visibly excited Cousins volunteered after the scrimmages at UNLV. "Yeah. Select Team. We won most of the quarters. We just outplayed them. We made them turn the ball over, make tough shots, take tough shots. We rebounded better and got out and ran."
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/11/462...#storylink=cpy
Wish we could just promote Cousins, he's reportedly been playing much better since Colangelo called him immature.
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.
I haven't heard any reports that the select team is beating the national team in scrimmages outside of what you posted, Raze. I'm not buying it especially since its Cousins making those statements. I'm a Kings fan and all but the guy is just a little off.
Edit: just read the sac bee article you posted, that makes more sense that the select team could have beaten the national teamers in a handful of short 4 minute quarters, especially with Coach K tinkering with different lineups
Do you guys remeber the 2010 world Cup?? That USA team was severly underrated. We(USA) had a front court of Tyson Chandler, Lamar Odom and Kevin Love. Look at the Turkey and Lietuva medal games and you realize how effective Odom and Chandler were. All 3 of those guys were needed against the bigger teams. Now USA only has Love and Chandler. Anthony Davis is not a pro. He hasn't played with the level of players Brazil, Russia, Spain will bring. DeMarcus Cousins is a must. The weak front court is a huge gamble. As I understand per FIBA rules USA can not add just any player. The player added must be from the player pool. Can anyone confirm this?
To me its not unbeliveable that the select team could beat the national team in a few quarters. Cousins, Hayward, Irving, Wall would be formidble for any team. A focused Cousins is elite on any scale.
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