USA Basketball Team Roster (1 Viewer)

[John Mamula]

looking forward to some eastern block country or south american country winning the gold.

hopefully this group can take home the bronze.

 

[John Mamula]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Did Kevin Garnett elect not to participate? Was he not asked? Too old?

Its really too bad, I wish he'd reconsider (especially since the Celts won). Team USA's problems haven't been on offense as much as they have been on defense. Its well known the effect KG had on the Celtics D, he certainly would have offered improvement to the D on Team USA.

With all due respect to the red, white, and blue, Kevin Garnett is focused on wearing Celtic green

USA Basketball president Jim Tooley confirmed that Garnett was approached about joining its 2008 Beijing Olympic squad within the last week. The first-year Celtics forward won a gold medal while playing for the United States during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Tooley, however, said the 10-time All-Star respectfully declined the invitation.

"There is no discussion about that," Garnett said. "I don't want to discuss that. They know that."

Said Tooley: "We understand his decision and respect it. He's with a good team and he's focused on that."

Garnett and Celtics teammate Ray Allen were both on that 2000 USA team, the last one to win an Olympic gold medal. The US's roster currently includes such big men as Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, and Chris Bosh, but could have definitely used Garnett. In fact, regular Nuggets small forward Carmelo Anthony started at power forward for the US in this summer's FIBA Americas tournament. While Allen and Celtics teammate Paul Pierce have USA Basketball experience, neither is expected to play in the Olympics next year.

"They have a team and the team is already established, which is good. I've had my time in it," said Garnett, who was second in scoring for Team USA during the 2000 Games, averaging 10.8 points per game.

Why does KG hate America?

 

[Sweet J]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

 

[JMon348]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

 

[John Mamula]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

you're not asking the right question.

 

[Sweet J]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

you're not asking the right question.

Ok, what question should I be asking?

 

[John Mamula]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

you're not asking the right question.

Ok, what question should I be asking?

What % of teams have any foreign players on them? Of those, what % of those teams do the foreign players comprise? What would be the policy on replacing those players? Best available player from another team? If so, what will that do to the chemistry to the team. Would that chemistry be any better than an all star team?That's where I would start.

 

[Sweet J]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

you're not asking the right question.

Ok, what question should I be asking?

What % of teams have any foreign players on them? Of those, what % of those teams do the foreign players comprise? What would be the policy on replacing those players? Best available player from another team? If so, what will that do to the chemistry to the team. Would that chemistry be any better than an all star team?That's where I would start.

I guess you are thinking more globally and I am thinking more one-shot hypothetically: Assuming the American (i.e., eligible) 2008 Celtics were all available, would they do a better job than the Team USA this year? I ask this question because I realize, "hey, wait a second, the 2008 champs don't have any foreigners. So would it be a good idea to play them?"Now, you may answer "that is so stupid, sweet j, Team USA will do a thousand times better than the 2008 Celts," than I really can't disagree. But if you say to me "that is so stupid, sweet j, the 2008 celtics have like 1/3 of their roster as foreigners," then I may not agree.

 

[John Mamula]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

you're not asking the right question.

Ok, what question should I be asking?

What % of teams have any foreign players on them? Of those, what % of those teams do the foreign players comprise? What would be the policy on replacing those players? Best available player from another team? If so, what will that do to the chemistry to the team. Would that chemistry be any better than an all star team?That's where I would start.

I guess you are thinking more globally and I am thinking more one-shot hypothetically: Assuming the American (i.e., eligible) 2008 Celtics were all available, would they do a better job than the Team USA this year? I ask this question because I realize, "hey, wait a second, the 2008 champs don't have any foreigners. So would it be a good idea to play them?"Now, you may answer "that is so stupid, sweet j, Team USA will do a thousand times better than the 2008 Celts," than I really can't disagree. But if you say to me "that is so stupid, sweet j, the 2008 celtics have like 1/3 of their roster as foreigners," then I may not agree.

When people start making suggestions about having the NBA champs represent the US on a going forward basis, I tend to look at the entire picture, not the now unlikely scenario of a championship team only filled with Americans.My response is not so much comparing the NBA champs to an All Star team and how they would do. It is more towards the incredibly flawed notion that a NBA team could not only lose key role players, but its best players to other countries in the Olympics, posing an even greater problem and a worse team for USA Basketball.

However, even as obvious of a flaw as this is, not only did someone mention it in here, but was lauded for it being a good post.

 

[TLEF316]

They should just send the current NBA champs anytime we need a crew and throw mad bonuses their way.

rare

You guys know that lots of NBA players aren't American right?

some fool had this same idea on talk radio this morning and was subsequently owned by the talk show host.

yes! let's send the NBA champs...oh wait now 1/3 of the team can't play because they're playing for other countries.

How many of the 2008 Celtics are foreign?

you're not asking the right question.

Ok, what question should I be asking?

What % of teams have any foreign players on them? Of those, what % of those teams do the foreign players comprise? What would be the policy on replacing those players? Best available player from another team? If so, what will that do to the chemistry to the team. Would that chemistry be any better than an all star team?That's where I would start.

I guess you are thinking more globally and I am thinking more one-shot hypothetically: Assuming the American (i.e., eligible) 2008 Celtics were all available, would they do a better job than the Team USA this year? I ask this question because I realize, "hey, wait a second, the 2008 champs don't have any foreigners. So would it be a good idea to play them?"Now, you may answer "that is so stupid, sweet j, Team USA will do a thousand times better than the 2008 Celts," than I really can't disagree. But if you say to me "that is so stupid, sweet j, the 2008 celtics have like 1/3 of their roster as foreigners," then I may not agree.

team USA, as constructed, would beat the current Celtics.

 

[Gr00vus]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

 

[the moops]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

 

[Sebowski]

I read that Amare Stoudemire has turned it down.

Funny how the Cavs won't let Z play for his country due to injury concerns, but will let Lebron play.

 

[TLEF316]

I read that Amare Stoudemire has turned it down. Funny how the Cavs won't let Z play for his country due to injury concerns, but will let Lebron play.

because of his extensive injury history, Z's contract isn't fully insured. LeBron's is. Thats the difference.

 

[Gr00vus]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

 

[the moops]

They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Care to wager that they medal?

 

[Sweet J]

team USA, as constructed, would beat the current Celtics.

Under NBA rules, it would be a wipeout. The same wipeout in FIBA?

 

[Gr00vus]

They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Care to wager that they medal?

I just said they'd make the medal round, why would I want to bet against them getting a medal? There's no reason the U.S. should get anything less than 1st place every time as long as pros are allowed, yet they manage to field teams that have obvious weaknesses like this for international play and fail to win gold all too often.

 

[Sweet J]

Can someone list a quick summary of the rules differences between NBA and International Ball?

 

[the moops]

They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Care to wager that they medal?

I just said they'd make the medal round, why would I want to bet against them getting a medal? There's no reason the U.S. should get anything less than 1st place every time as long as pros are allowed, yet they manage to field teams that have obvious weaknesses like this for international play and fail to win gold all too often.

How would you make this team better?KG, Amare and Duncan are not playing.Taking someone like Camby is not going to improve the team unless it was at the expense of Kidd. But I can understand taking him as he is the only experienced PG and has fared very well in international play.When they roll out Lebron/Carmelo/Kobe...watch out.

 

[TLEF316]

Can someone list a quick summary of the rules differences between NBA and International Ball?

i don't know them all, but here are the big ones...- Trapezoidal lane- shorter 3 pt line- balls can be taken right off the rim-5 fouls instead of 6 (i believe)- physical play is a lot more prevalent (hand checking, rough post play, ect)- no clear path rule (you can blatantly grab someone to stop a fast break)I'm sure there are others.

 

[John Mamula]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Can I bet on the US not winning the gold? I am all over that.

 

[Gr00vus]

They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Care to wager that they medal?

I just said they'd make the medal round, why would I want to bet against them getting a medal? There's no reason the U.S. should get anything less than 1st place every time as long as pros are allowed, yet they manage to field teams that have obvious weaknesses like this for international play and fail to win gold all too often.

How would you make this team better?KG, Amare and Duncan are not playing.Taking someone like Camby is not going to improve the team unless it was at the expense of Kidd. But I can understand taking him as he is the only experienced PG and has fared very well in international play.When they roll out Lebron/Carmelo/Kobe...watch out.

I think Al Jefferson, Aldridge, Jamison, Canby would be better to have around than Anthony, Redd or Kidd. Someone mentioned Chandler already. Plenty of options to have more than 3 bigs - especially when one of the three is Boozer who's pretty short at the 4.

 

[EYLive]

Elton Brand would be a good addition at PF at both ends of the floor. His injury should be completely healed I think.

 

[JMon348]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Can I bet on the US not winning the gold? I am all over that.

Id be willing to bet you bagger, i think this is our year.

 

[Gr00vus]

Elton Brand would be a good addition at PF at both ends of the floor. His injury should be completely healed I think.

I was going to list him too, but I think at this point he's not in consideration because of the injury. If he wasn't hurt it'd be a crime if he wasn't on the squad.

 

[Moe.]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.

Kidd

Kobe

Lebron

Melo

Howard

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Can I bet on the US not winning the gold? I am all over that.

who you taking?ODDS TO WIN THE 2008 BASKETBALL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL

151 Argentina - +500

152 Greece - - +1800 (havent qualified yet)

153 Italy - - +2200 failed to qualify

154 Lithuania - - +1400

155 Puerto Rico - +6300 (havent qualified yet)

156 Spain - - +250

157 United States - -350

158 Field (Any Other) +1300

russia, angola, iran, australia, china are in. rest of the field will be filled out by three of the following: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Brazil, Canada, Lebanon, Korea, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Puerto Rice, and New Zealand.

We are in a group with China, Angola, Spain, and the number two and three qualifiers from the teams listed above. Top four advance to medal round, etc. Who else would you bet on? Were going to win this year.

 

[Tau837]

Team USA for Beijing:Carmelo AnthonyChris BoshCarlos BoozerKobe BryantDwight HowardLeBron JamesJason KiddChris PaulMichael ReddTayshaun PrinceDwyane WadeDeron WilliamsBy positionG: Kidd, Paul, WilliamsSG: Kobe, Wade, ReddSF: LeBron, Carmelo, PrincePF: Boozer, BoshC: HowardI'm guessing the starting five will be Kidd, Kobe, Carmelo, LeBron, and Howard. LeBron will play a lot of PF with that roster.

Someone correct me if I'm off here, but does outside shooting seem a little suspect with that roster? I know Redd and Kobe can shoot, but it seems to me that roster is going to see a LOT of 2-3 packed in zone to cut down on the slashing, and if the 1 or 2 designated shooters are cold, we could see problems, again. Thoughts?

Last summer, the roster included 8 of the players who will play in the Olympics: Kidd, Williams, Bryant, Redd, Anthony, James, Prince, and Howard. That group combined to shoot 115/229 (50.2%) from the 3 point line in 10 games of that tournament.They have replace Billups, Miller, Stoudemire, and Chandler from last season's roster, which shot a collective 32/84 (38.1%) from the 3 point line last year, with Paul, Wade, Bosh, and Boozer. Should be a wash, or possibly a marginal improvement. I don't really see outside shooting being much of a problem.

 

[Tau837]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

I think they'll be fine as long as everyone stays healthy. The problem will be if Howard were to get hurt... or get in major foul trouble.

 

[Tau837]

Hmmm...I personally don't see why Kidd is on this roster and really can't see why he'd be starting (but I agree that he wouldn't be going if he wasn't starting). At this point he can't guard people and its not like he can shoot either.

Kidd was the starting PG for our undefeated team last year (starting 9 games). He paid his dues last year and by all accounts played well. He is healthy and is a respected veteran leader. IMO that's why he'll be starting.

I also think one of the pure PF starts over Melo (more likely Bosh since he has greater range).

Anthony led last year's team with 21.2 ppg in 19.4 minutes per game, shooting 61.3% from the floor and 57.4% from 3 point range. He started 9 of the 10 games. Given that performance, I fully expect he'll be starting.The normal starting lineup last summer was Kidd, Bryant, Anthony, James, and Howard, and they went 10-0. I see no reason to expect that starting lineup to change. If they were going to start 2 bigs, they would have rostered 4, not 3.

 

[encaitar]

Hmmm...I personally don't see why Kidd is on this roster and really can't see why he'd be starting (but I agree that he wouldn't be going if he wasn't starting). At this point he can't guard people and its not like he can shoot either.

Kidd was the starting PG for our undefeated team last year (starting 9 games). He paid his dues last year and by all accounts played well. He is healthy and is a respected veteran leader. IMO that's why he'll be starting.

I also think one of the pure PF starts over Melo (more likely Bosh since he has greater range).

Anthony led last year's team with 21.2 ppg in 19.4 minutes per game, shooting 61.3% from the floor and 57.4% from 3 point range. He started 9 of the 10 games. Given that performance, I fully expect he'll be starting.The normal starting lineup last summer was Kidd, Bryant, Anthony, James, and Howard, and they went 10-0. I see no reason to expect that starting lineup to change. If they were going to start 2 bigs, they would have rostered 4, not 3.

I agree with this sentiment. The reason the US lost in 2004 was that teams like Argentina played small ball and were too quick for them. The US really played a lot of smaller lineups last year and were pretty much untouchable doing so. If(and this is a big if) egos don't get in the way and they actually commit to defense, I don't see anyone giving this team trouble.However, if LeBron, Kobe, and Melo start having a pissing match it could get ugly fast.

 

[Tau837]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

That's the same starting lineup that went 10-0 last year. Obviously the Olympic competition will be tougher, but to say "they aren't going to win much in international play" with this lineup is flat wrong.

 

[Tau837]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.KiddKobeLebronMeloHoward

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Can I bet on the US not winning the gold? I am all over that.

I'll take that bet.

 

[John Mamula]

They could use another true C/PF - the interior looks soft and they could get killed on the boards.

this team is undersized. may not make medal round.

I disagree, 3 bigs are fine. Melo and Lebron are fine PF's for the international game.The starting lineup will work perfect together.

Kidd

Kobe

Lebron

Melo

Howard

Step away from the reefer son.

You honestly think this team will not make the medal round??You are insane.

Yep I'm plum They aren't going to win much in international play with the lineup JMon posted. And they'll make the medal round, but with a lack of big men they're easily exploitable. It's funny, people think you can just run a bunch of 2's and 3's who all need the ball in their hands to be effective out there and think you're going to win the gold - and I'm being called insane.

Can I bet on the US not winning the gold? I am all over that.

who you taking?ODDS TO WIN THE 2008 BASKETBALL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL

151 Argentina - +500

152 Greece - - +1800 (havent qualified yet)

153 Italy - - +2200 failed to qualify

154 Lithuania - - +1400

155 Puerto Rico - +6300 (havent qualified yet)

156 Spain - - +250

157 United States - -350

158 Field (Any Other) +1300

russia, angola, iran, australia, china are in. rest of the field will be filled out by three of the following: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Brazil, Canada, Lebanon, Korea, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Puerto Rice, and New Zealand.

We are in a group with China, Angola, Spain, and the number two and three qualifiers from the teams listed above. Top four advance to medal round, etc. Who else would you bet on? Were going to win this year.

I'd take Spain out of that group.

 

[Pick]

Wow! I'd love for the NBA to adopt a lot of those rules.

 

[Moe.]

* No automatic free throws once in the bonus. After a floor foul while in the bonus, a team can either send the player to the line to shoot free throws, or take the ball out of bounds with a shot clock reset.

NBA should adopt this rule asap. also like the way they do timeouts in fiba play.

 

[Pick]

Can someone list a quick summary of the rules differences between NBA and International Ball?

Rule differences:* Teams only get 2 timeouts in first half, 3 timeouts in the second half, and unused first-half timeouts are not carried over. Only coaches can call timeouts, and timeouts are not awarded while the ball is in play. If a player gets trapped, he can't call timeout to bail out of the play. The head coach has to report a timeout request to the scorer's table, much like a player reporting to the scorer's table to enter the game. Once a timeout is reported, it is awarded after a stoppage, or a field goal against.* Technical fouls count towards the foul-out tally. * No automatic free throws once in the bonus. After a floor foul while in the bonus, a team can either send the player to the line to shoot free throws, or take the ball out of bounds with a shot clock reset.* Alternate possession arrow used for held balls. If the offensive team has the possession arrow on a held ball, the shot clock is not reset.* Can't substitute between free throws. If a sub reports during a free throw, he can come if the last free throw of the set is made. a shot over the backboard counts

I like all these for the NBA. Especially the timeout stuff.

 

[the moops]

Here is the original 24 players selected 3 years ago to play together and compete for the final 12 spots. Bolded is current team.

Carmelo Anthony

Shane Battier

Chauncey Billups

Chris Bosh

Bruce Bowen

Elton Brand

Kobe Bryant

Kirk Hinrich

Dwight Howard

LeBron James

Antawn Jamison

Shawn Marion

Adam Morrison

Michael Redd

J.J. Redick

Luke Ridnour

Amaré Stoudemire

Gilbert Arenas

Joe Johnson

Brad Miller

Lamar Odom

Chris Paul

Paul Pierce

Dwyane Wade

These 8 were added in 2007 because of injuries to the last 7 on the list.

Carlos Boozer

Tyson Chandler

Kevin Durant

Jason Kidd

Mike Miller

Greg Oden

Tayshaun Prince

Deron Williams

Hard to argue with too many of the choices, especially considering a few dropped out after last summer. Pierce, Amare.

I suppose Chandler instead of Prince, but not much else.

 

[SKribbles]

Will any other country be starting a wife beater and a rapist?

 

[Celph Titled]

The USA teams under K haven't rebounded particularly well, which is why it's so frustrating to see USA load up on offense when we already have so much (Bryant, James, Paul, Williams, Redd, Howard, etc.) when we're so thin up front. I would've left Anthony off for Chandler, personally.

Puerto Rico should not be rebounding a third of their own misses: http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/p...at_boxScor.html

 

[the moops]

The USA teams under K haven't rebounded particularly well, which is why it's so frustrating to see USA load up on offense when we already have so much (Bryant, James, Paul, Williams, Redd, Howard, etc.) when we're so thin up front. I would've left Anthony off for Chandler, personally.

Puerto Rico should not be rebounding a third of their own misses: http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/p...at_boxScor.html

Carmelo Anthony was the best player for team USA last year in the FIBA Americas tournment.He shot 61% from the floor, led the team with an average of 21 points, and picked up the second most rebounds. And he loves playing in these international games.

He is not the guy who needs to be replaced.

 

[CanadianNFLJunkie]

First thing I noticed about this team is that there are a lot of 2's and 3's on this team and not enough 4's-5's. Howard most likely can and will get into foul trouble leaving you with Bosh and Boozer. Sure it probably won't matter but I would have thought that they'd have a bit more size.

As for trying to just send a very good college team over instead of NBA all-stars, umm... isn't there pretty much at least 1-2 players per team that aren't American??

 

[Celph Titled]

The USA teams under K haven't rebounded particularly well, which is why it's so frustrating to see USA load up on offense when we already have so much (Bryant, James, Paul, Williams, Redd, Howard, etc.) when we're so thin up front. I would've left Anthony off for Chandler, personally.

Puerto Rico should not be rebounding a third of their own misses: http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/p...at_boxScor.html

Carmelo Anthony was the best player for team USA last year in the FIBA Americas tournment.He shot 61% from the floor, led the team with an average of 21 points, and picked up the second most rebounds. And he loves playing in these international games.

He is not the guy who needs to be replaced.

Like I said, the US does not lack scoring options. Especially when Kidd's sitting down, which ideally would be most of the time. There are plenty of players on the roster who can do what he can do.What the US does lack, especially now with Howard's injury, is shot-blocking/rebounding. The same way you need role players to shoot the 3 (Redd) or to distribute the ball (Kidd), you also need garbagemen who can protect the basket and clear rebounds. Is Carmelo going to guard Yao in the opening game of the Olympics?

There's a very good chance that the US takes the gold just based on sheer talent advantage, but they're leaving the door open for an upset by going too small. I don't care if K is ambivalent to recruiting bangers at Duke (have they had anyone to patrol the paint since Shelden Williams), but there's no excuse for Team USA to do it.

 

[Tau837]

The USA teams under K haven't rebounded particularly well, which is why it's so frustrating to see USA load up on offense when we already have so much (Bryant, James, Paul, Williams, Redd, Howard, etc.) when we're so thin up front. I would've left Anthony off for Chandler, personally.

Puerto Rico should not be rebounding a third of their own misses: http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/p...at_boxScor.html

Carmelo Anthony was the best player for team USA last year in the FIBA Americas tournment.He shot 61% from the floor, led the team with an average of 21 points, and picked up the second most rebounds. And he loves playing in these international games.

He is not the guy who needs to be replaced.

Like I said, the US does not lack scoring options. Especially when Kidd's sitting down, which ideally would be most of the time. There are plenty of players on the roster who can do what he can do.What the US does lack, especially now with Howard's injury, is shot-blocking/rebounding. The same way you need role players to shoot the 3 (Redd) or to distribute the ball (Kidd), you also need garbagemen who can protect the basket and clear rebounds. Is Carmelo going to guard Yao in the opening game of the Olympics?

There's a very good chance that the US takes the gold just based on sheer talent advantage, but they're leaving the door open for an upset by going too small. I don't care if K is ambivalent to recruiting bangers at Duke (have they had anyone to patrol the paint since Shelden Williams), but there's no excuse for Team USA to do it.

I personally would have taken Chandler over Wade. Anthony dominated last year in international play, whereas Wade didn't play last year and is coming off an injury. Plus, Anthony is 4 inches taller and is a better rebounder (2nd leading rebounder for the team in international play last year).

 

[awesomeness]

Wow! I'd love for the NBA to adopt a lot of those rules.

The NCAA is experimenting with some FIBA rules, so maybe we will see the NBA adopt more of them down the road. Next season, NCAA is moving the three-point line back a foot. Next winter, the college three-point line will be a couple inches farther back than the FIBA line. The Butlers of the NCAA may not be too crazy about that, but IMO it will help the game in the major conferences.

That royally sucks. As if the major conferences needed more help. One of the reasons for watching March Madness/NCAA basketball is for the upsets. That is gonna drop pretty dramatically now. Horrible idea by the NCAA.

 

[Short Corner]

Wow! I'd love for the NBA to adopt a lot of those rules.

The NCAA is experimenting with some FIBA rules, so maybe we will see the NBA adopt more of them down the road. Next season, NCAA is moving the three-point line back a foot. Next winter, the college three-point line will be a couple inches farther back than the FIBA line. The Butlers of the NCAA may not be too crazy about that, but IMO it will help the game in the major conferences.

That royally sucks. As if the major conferences needed more help. One of the reasons for watching March Madness/NCAA basketball is for the upsets. That is gonna drop pretty dramatically now. Horrible idea by the NCAA.

Did you see where those guys in the mid-majors were shooting from in the tourney?

 

[Lupe]

Rule differences:* No automatic free throws once in the bonus. After a floor foul while in the bonus, a team can either send the player to the line to shoot free throws, or take the ball out of bounds with a shot clock reset.

Is this really the rule? Late in the game with a lead, seems like you could just keep taking the ball out of bounds and keep running the clock down. But I guess at some point, you'll throw the ball away on the inbounds, but you might foul out every player on the other team before that happens

 

[JMon348]

This concerns me:

LAS VEGAS -- On their one and only day of minicamp, Team USA was not whole.

Dwight Howard was forced to sit out practice Saturday due to a stress fracture of his sternum, an injury he sustained during the Orlando Magic's second round playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons.

"It's a six to eight week recovery time, and this is the sixth week," said Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski, who expects Howard to be fully healed by the time the team reconvenes for training camp July 21.

Still, the injury is worrisome for the Americans, who are planning to go to Beijing with just three big men -- Howard, Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer. If Howard were to aggravate the injury, that lack of front-line depth could become a major issue.

Howard said he sustained the injury when he collided simultaneously and was sandwiched between Jason Maxiell and Arron Afflalo of the Pistons. Doctors told him it is an injury typically incurred by hockey players.

"It hurts. I haven't been able to really do anything since the playoffs, but it'll be all right," Howard said. "I should be fine by the time we start training camp. That's what the doctor said. So there's no worries for me or the staff."

After holding a private team meeting Friday night, the Americans went through a light practice with little contact Saturday on the campus of UNLV, where they will play their only exhibition game on U.S. soil when they face Canada on July 25. They leave the next day for Asia, with exhibition games planned for Macao and Shanghai before they arrive in Beijing.

The Americans also have another injury to be concerned with -- Kobe Bryant's pinkie finger, which has a turn ligament and an avulsion fracture. He plans to have it surgically repaired after the team returns from China and said he does not expect it to keep him out of Lakers' training camp in October.

"It changes my release. Because it's taped, the way I release the ball is different -- it's choppier," Bryant said. "It hasn't gotten better, it stays the same. I don't feel pain or nothing like that, but if you hit it or jam it, it goes dead for a couple minutes."

Plans for an additional practice Sunday have been scrapped, and the team will instead fly to New York for a promotional tour and to unveil their uniforms. They will then have three weeks to rest before reporting back to Las Vegas for training camp. If any U.S. players are injured prior to the Olympics, they can be replaced on the roster up until Aug. 9 -- but only if the injury is verified by authorities from the International Olympic Committee and the USOC.

 

[TLEF316]

me too. No reason to risk only having 3 "bigs" knowing that this injury existed.