Team USA finalists announced

Forwards LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Lamar Odom
Guards: Chauncey Billups, Kobe Bryant, Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, and Deron Williams
Centers: Tyson Chandler, Dwight Howard

4 months ago JustAnotherFan 38 comments 0 recs |

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Oh fuck Lebron

we’re getting silver this year

"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"

by T.Moore on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM CST reply actions

Where is Norris Cole?!

by bryield on Jan 16, 2012 11:12 AM CST reply actions 4 recs

I don't know but "he's a sensation"

The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

by majoyenrac on Jan 16, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

I have no idea how they are going to pick out of that backcourt.

by Ozzie Montana on Jan 16, 2012 11:14 AM CST reply actions

Billups, Westbrook and Gordon shouldn't make the team.

And to be honest, after watching DRose kind of chill in the FIBA games, even though he’s the best guy in that backcourt, I dunno if he’s the best choice for starting PG. He didn’t look all that aggressive in the FIBA tourney and with all those great scorers out there, he may be the wrong PG. He’ll make the team, but it’s likely that despite being the lesser player, CP3 is the right guy to run the point for that team.

My choices are Rose, CP3, Kobe and Wade. If they take a fifth guard, it should be DWill.

by dakoose on Jan 16, 2012 4:51 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, it'll be very interesting

As Dakoose said, with the way Rose performed in FIBA, and the way he get’s deferential to the point of basically not being on the floor when he plays with star studded teams like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t make the roster.

If we assume that a vet like Paul or Williams, that are also more adept at running a team, will start, then, as much as I hate Westbrook, someone like him probably has more value as a defensive disruptor.

A lot of this has more to do with money though, so I could see why they might want a star like Rose on the squd who would drum up tons of interest in a big tv market like Chicago

Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 16, 2012 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, I'd be shocked if he didn't make the roster,

I just wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t the starter.

by dakoose on Jan 16, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I'd be shocked too

but that has more to do with his status in the league, and the fact that he’s gone above and beyond the call of duty in terms of doing everything they’ve asked of him. Personally, I think in their heart of hearts they’d prefer to go with another player that could play more of a role. But that’s also assuming they don’t view Derrick as the starter.

Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 16, 2012 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

i don't see any basis to believe that

Rose started all the games in FIBA before he had the stature of MVP. In the prior international competition, Kidd was the starter, exactly b/c he was willing to defer to more talented teammates. With Rose’s improvement on the defensive end, his improvement running an offense, his size and his ability to attack and finish on the break as either a lead guard or on the wing, I’d be surprised if he didn’t start. That doesn’t mean he will finish games, but I can see them going Rose-Kobe starters with Paul-Williams-Wade working as backups.

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 18, 2012 5:12 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think it'll be that hard to sort out

I think Rose, Wade, Paul, DWill and Kobe are clearly the 5 you want out of that group. If one of those guys gets injured, or if you want another guard, Gordon vs. Westbrook makes for an interesting discussion.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Jan 16, 2012 7:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I don't know if you guys noticed but

they Fucked Rondo

by JustAnotherFan on Jan 16, 2012 11:17 AM CST reply actions

Rondo's game isn't as good in FIBA

He can’t shoot, and they can clog the lane making his ability to penetrate and pass less of an asset in that game.

The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

by majoyenrac on Jan 16, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

also he whines like a bitch

Rose decides not to go 1-on-2 and I was thinking, "what are you doing?! You've got the numbers!" -Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live

by Prevenge on Jan 18, 2012 7:50 AM CST up reply actions

maybe they realized he wasn't eligible

even though his home planet doesn’t have a team.

Look
I didn’t want to offend anyone by saying the "f" word or generalizing my statement to any particular sex by saying "gays" or lesbians" or "bi’s" so "homos" is the most "politically correct" term. I’m just trying to be more tact in a tactless blog.

by Hindut Patrol on Feb 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST

by Jaina on Jan 18, 2012 8:27 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

My 12 man team from that group

PG – Rose backed with Paul and Westbrook.

Rose obviously is awesome and getting better. Paul’s shooting and floor game translates everywhere, and Westbrook was arguably at least as good as Rose in the last FIBA tournament (Rose started off the tourny very very well, Westbrook finished it really really well)

SG – Bryant backed with Wade
Bryant has been beyond awesome so far this year and is proving he still has it, and while Wade might be a shade better than Bryant of late, we can use Bryant and he should start—plus Wade was awesome off the bench).

SF – Lebron James – Andre Iguodala

Obviously Lebron, and Iggy’s versatility means he can be a SG and PF in spots in Euroball especially.

PF – Kevin Durant (in Euroball), 1st backup LaMarcus Aldridge then Kevin Love then Carmelo Anthony

C – Dwight Howard

The forwards (especially Aldridge, Love) will probably play more C minutes because of Euroball. Iggy gets a SF spot not because he’s the most talented (he isn’t) but because of his versatility.

I have a feeling that Melo will back out when he’s not starting or the 6th man….

Love is a must in FIBA (his rebounding was huge).

Aldridge is perhaps the best two way PF going right now (though still underrated).

The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

by majoyenrac on Jan 16, 2012 11:27 AM CST reply actions

I think if we get this roster and they buy in

We should be close to the original dream team level….

I know the World bball is better than it was then

The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

by majoyenrac on Jan 16, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

Spain actually has a chance against these guys, even if they buy in.

Their front court consists of the Gasol brothers with Ibaka and that giant guy from the Euroleague. Rubio looks like a legit NBA player at PG and Navarro is a bit of a badass at SG. I do not like Fernandez that much but he seems to be playing well for the Nuggets. That is a starting 5 that would be an easy playoff team in the NBA. They have a strong bench and a ton of continuity. It will definitely be very interesting. I think that the USA will win if they all get on the same page but this Spanish team is very deep.

Schindler's List is, at the most basic level, a remake of Jurassic Park... ~Zizek

by THEKILLERWHALE on Jan 16, 2012 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

It may be

A playoff team in the NBA, but team USA probably wouldn’t lose more than 3 games if it were an NBA team

at least its hockey season now

by comebackkirk12 on Jan 16, 2012 12:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Carmelo is actually one of the best FIBA players in the group

by JustAnotherFan on Jan 16, 2012 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

He has been but

He’s not Durant or Lebron (2 strikes).

He’s not as versatile as Iggy (individually he’s better than Iggy, but I’d rather have Iggy’s versatility) that’s the 3rd strike.

Plus I think Love, Aldridge and Howard are shoo ins for that post defender or rebounder (Kevin Love’s ability to spread the court too makes him viable).

I think Love and Durant really are replacing Melo….

The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

by majoyenrac on Jan 16, 2012 1:17 PM CST up reply actions

nah melo's going to make it

he was probably the best international player we have.

Should've traded for Melo.

by sin on Jan 16, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

He's on my team, but my 4th Forward

Durant was the best international player we have….

The kid's out of this world. He's got Allen Iverson speed, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting ability and Michael Jordan's athleticism. How do you guard that? - Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

by majoyenrac on Jan 16, 2012 1:44 PM CST up reply actions

not gunna be big enough to compete with some of the bigger guys that will be playing in the olympics

remember we basically played against a lot of B teams from other countries too.
other countries are going to be bringing out their big guns too for the olympics.

i love durant but i just dont think hes big enough for international play.

i like lebron and melo much better because they can play both 3/4 in the international game whereas i think durant might only be useful as 3 unless we are facing a small team

Should've traded for Melo.

by sin on Jan 16, 2012 7:19 PM CST up reply actions

This^

Is why lots of people never know whether to take u seriously or be annoyed. Durant has always been skinny and he KILLED FIBA last time out. Remember It’s what made him a super duper star instead of an all star?

After being crowned the best in the league, he’s ready to be the best at his position
-Adande

by BigforkBullsFan on Jan 17, 2012 9:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Against the b teams of other countries

Did you read what I said?

By popular demand I am putting a moratorium on the Melo talk until the Knicks win the title in June.

by sin on Jan 17, 2012 11:00 PM CST up reply actions

other countries didn't send their b teams

it was just a competition where a lot of the top NBA guys didn’t play, but that doesn’t necessarily equate with b teams for other countries. Argentina would seemingly be the mose affected, but given their age, I don’t see them as a real threat anymore. Spain was only w/o Pau Gasol, so he’ll obviously be a big help. Still, I think the fact that Durant basically played like he invented FIBA in the 2010 competition, he’ll be fine.

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 18, 2012 5:14 PM CST up reply actions

I really hope Aldridge makes the team. A LMA/Bosh frontcourt is ideal for international play.

by Ozzie Montana on Jan 16, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

No Howard?

Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 16, 2012 5:24 PM CST up reply actions

odom? billups? gordon? chandler?

ugh.

"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."

by TheMoon on Jan 16, 2012 5:51 PM CST reply actions

I think it's good that they're rewarding guys who have demonstrated commitment to the program

It’s a good precedent, and to be honest, are the 11th/12th guys on the roster really going to make a difference?

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Jan 16, 2012 7:45 PM CST up reply actions

are you serious? all those guys helped win gold last time

why wouldn’t you at least consider them.

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 18, 2012 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

id like to see some new guys get in. id rather have greg monroe than chandler. billups isnt needed

because the team already has enough combo guards and ball handlers. eric gordon is always hurt and is steadily becoming part of the rudy fernandez club for guys who people think are really good shooters but actually arent. also, the combo guard thing. i think id rather have kyrie irving, greg monroe, ryan anderson and danny green than odom, billups, gordon and chandler.

by TheMoon on Jan 18, 2012 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

Like I said, they want to reward guys who have been committed to the program

The way Colangelo et all have set this up is that it’s a a three-year commitment beginning three years before the olympics. I’m sure all those guys you mentioned will get a look for the next olympics. I like the way they’re handling this.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Jan 18, 2012 7:50 PM CST up reply actions