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Thread: Olympic team PG

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Orleans

    Olympic team PG

    I guess Chris Paul lost the job last summer to Jason Kidd, backed up by Deron Williams and Chauncey Billups, a group that seemed to work well against negligible competition. But no question Paul has been the best pg in the NBA this year, and may pick up league MVP. He's an order of magnitude quicker than the other three. Does K stick with Kidd, who arguably is starting to slow down just a bit? Give the ball back to Paul? Williams?

    I'm wondering also how much the Duke coaching staff's ability to evaluate player progress in Cameron pick-up games this summer will be hindered by being away for a long stretch with the O team. Do the assistants usually spend a lot of time watching in Cameron, or is that verboten by the NCAA and they get their info from others?

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by dkbaseball View Post
    I guess Chris Paul lost the job last summer to Jason Kidd, backed up by Deron Williams and Chauncey Billups, a group that seemed to work well against negligible competition. But no question Paul has been the best pg in the NBA this year, and may pick up league MVP. He's an order of magnitude quicker than the other three. Does K stick with Kidd, who arguably is starting to slow down just a bit? Give the ball back to Paul? Williams?

    I'm wondering also how much the Duke coaching staff's ability to evaluate player progress in Cameron pick-up games this summer will be hindered by being away for a long stretch with the O team. Do the assistants usually spend a lot of time watching in Cameron, or is that verboten by the NCAA and they get their info from others?
    Guess it depends on whether he is more interested in offense or defense in his PG. Offense, you might go with Paul, but for defense, Kidd is still clearly way better (and with Williams 2nd).

  3. #3
    Interesting question. While Paul has clearly passed Kidd and is having one of the greatest seasons ever by a PG, I think Kidd will remain the starter. His passing is even more invaluable when playing with such a talented roster.

  4. #4

    Kidd will play

    No doubt Paul has been amazing this year but Kidd playing the point and feeding other scorers will be the choice.
    And, Coach K gets his info from others during pickup games. I think the coaches can only do individual skills work (with a few guys at a time) and not monitor pickup games. I can assume any and all of the Duke NBA guys who come into town become very good scouts for K.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    Lewisville, NC
    This will be interesting to see which PG's make the team, and then who gets the major minutes.

    One problem that K's first US team had in 2006 was defending the pick and roll at the top of the key; Greece in particular ran that very effectively. Seems like K went to bigger PG's the second time around, with Kidd, Billups, and Deron Williams, and would occasionally have LeBron or even Kobe at the top of the defense. The bigger defenders did better against the physical international pick and roll plays.

    That said, Chris Paul has had a sensational season; with his great quickness, seems like he can go wherever he wants on the court and deliver the ball perfectly. He can certainly score and run the offense, but will he be the type of defender we need in the Olympics?

  6. #6
    Paul leads the league in steals (and assists) and averages 10 more points a game than Kidd. He also has fewer turnovers a game than Kidd. He's up for MVP. I believe those that probably know more about this than I do, but why would Kidd get the nod over Paul? Is it something about the style of play in the Olympics vs. the NBA?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Quote Originally Posted by roywhite View Post
    One problem that K's first US team had in 2006 was defending the pick and roll at the top of the key; Greece in particular ran that very effectively. Seems like K went to bigger PG's the second time around, with Kidd, Billups, and Deron Williams, and would occasionally have LeBron or even Kobe at the top of the defense. The bigger defenders did better against the physical international pick and roll plays.

    That said, Chris Paul has had a sensational season; with his great quickness, seems like he can go wherever he wants on the court and deliver the ball perfectly. He can certainly score and run the offense, but will he be the type of defender we need in the Olympics?
    Bingo, Roy. Well done. K talked a lot about the need for bigger point guards in international play. He's also not a huge fan of Chris Paul. That said, it will be hard to keep Paul off the team; he just might not play as much in certain games. There is no way K leaves Kidd off the team, even though the three guys are all better at this point. Not only does Kidd fill a valuable role by setting everyone and using his size, but K loves his leadership. Then, two questions have to be answered if Paul is on the team. Does K use a roster spot on a third PG, knowing that Wade can handle the point (as can LeBron)? And, if so, is it Williams or Billups? Those are some tough decisions to make. But they are good decisions to have.

  8. #8
    Alot of this will take care of itself over the next few months as players get tired and injured. Some will pull themselves out so no sense in stressing out about it now.

    We will have a great team for the Olympics. I just wish I could watch the tryouts/practice.

  9. #9
    Chris Paul was a dirty player in college. (How can one forget the punch in the nuts that Hodges took during the ACC Tournament) Chris Paul is a dirty player in the pro's. I can see the headlines now, Chris Paul starts war between US and China.

    Seriously, Paul is not K's type of player and just in case you think Paul has changed since the ball hitting incident think again. Take a look at this article.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by FireOgilvie View Post
    Is it something about the style of play in the Olympics vs. the NBA?
    YES. International basketball allows about 500% more contact than the NBA. Paul moves through defenses with ease in the NBA, but in the Olympics, he'd get roughed up. Frankly, I expect to see Kidd start, with Billups as his primary backup for this very reason. I expect Paul to compete with Williams for the 3rd PG spot, as I see Kidd and Billups as locks, for good reason. Kidd is on the team for sure, given his defense, and the fact that he's got a Gold medal.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Mobile, Alabama

    Point Guard

    This is a very interesting topic as both Kobe and LeBron like to play with the ball in their hands, much like our Duke team this year when Demarcus and Gerald (and to some extent Jon) did most of the penetrating.

    So the question becomes, what are the most important roles for the PG on this olympic team? Do we need a pure penetrator/passer, will Defense be the number one priority, what about an outside shooting PG?

    The real question to me will be what K does with Michael Redd and Mike Miller. Where does K get his 3-point shooters? Billups would add a long range threat at the point that Kidd, Paul and Deron do not bring. Lots of interesting choices to be made.

  12. #12
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    Deeetroit City
    Quote Originally Posted by K24U View Post
    Chris Paul was a dirty player in college. (How can one forget the punch in the nuts that Hodges took during the ACC Tournament)
    That is CP's way of pressuring the ball on D.

    Kidd is cinch because of his experience and leadership. Nobody else on the team will question Kidd having the ball in key situations. Kidd also plays TEAM defense, and won't over commit for steals (a highly overrated stat for arguing a player's ability to play defense).

    Chauncey is nearly a lock because he too has the respect of all of the other players (he has ring, multiple All Star trips and a Finals MVP) and the shorter three point line makes him a real weapon. He is probably the strongest of the point guards.

    I don't think CP's NBA success will immediately translate to the international game. The zone defenses (or active help man-to-man D) in the international game will limit his penetration; remember, there is no defensive 3 second call to pull the bigs out of the lane. The international teams also do a much better job of rotating back to cut off fast breaks - so his speed would be less of a factor. CP would get killed (perhaps literally) by high screens. Last, CP wouldn't get the calls he currently enjoys in the NBA.

    Although Allen Iverson had some statistical success in international play, his struggles to get into the lane should be a decent predictor as to CP's chances in the Olympics.

    The beauty of it is, Coach K will have no pressure to pick CP because of his popularity. The only goal is to win, and they will let Coach K live and die with his choices. I predict that Williams gets the last spot because of his defense, three point shooting, and his ability to run the pick and roll.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Naptown, IN
    NBA playoffs end in June. Olympic basketball tourney is Aug 8-24.

    Does the US Basketball team get a chance to practice against any international teams before Aug 8th?

    I would like to see how our point guards match up against international guards. I'll try to find 07 FIBA videos...

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by dukeENG2003 View Post
    I expect Paul to compete with Williams for the 3rd PG spot, as I see Kidd and Billups as locks, for good reason. Kidd is on the team for sure, given his defense, and the fact that he's got a Gold medal.
    In the backcourt, beyond Kidd, Kobe, Wade, and Redd I don't think anyone is necessarily a lock (Redd is a lock in my mind b/c we HAVE to have ONE token 3 pt specialist. its been too obvious of a weakness...) . Williams is still coming of age and has developed a very good jumper, but billups' Defense probably gives him the edge.

    I used to think a 3rd PG is necessary, but as Jumbo points out, both Wade and Lebron are very capable creators...

    Quote Originally Posted by rtnorthrup View Post
    The real question to me will be what K does with Michael Redd and Mike Miller. Where does K get his 3-point shooters? Billups would add a long range threat at the point that Kidd, Paul and Deron do not bring. Lots of interesting choices to be made.
    Indeed. We are so stacked on the wing its unreal. The 3 factors I see contributing to who we take out there are: Defense, 3 pt shooting, athleticism/versatility (especially as it relates to our run and gun game). And b/c of that I think guys like battier and prince will have a serious shot b/c they can guard 3 positions, can run and finish in transition and are good to very good spot up 3 pt shooters. Of course, its tough to get PT when you are competing against Melo, Pierce, and Lebron, for PT.

    BTW, why isn't KG on the team? I can only imagine that he declined an invite. To not include him would be just stupid.

  15. #15

    My team

    Assumes KG and Duncan still not playing:

    Lebron
    Kobe
    Howard
    Stoudemaire
    Anthony
    Wade (chance he will sit out because of injuries?)
    Kidd
    Paul
    Redd (lit it up last year in role as designated shooter)
    Boozer (but maybe need a big defender like Tyson Chandler)
    D. Williams
    Josh Howard (Prince, Battier, Jefferson all options as top wing defender)

  16. #16
    I wonder if the looming court date of Carmelo will now affect his standing with the team? Last summer, he developed as the main offensive option and proved to be unstoppable.

  17. #17
    yeah, KG and Duncan (and Shaq) declined to participate.

    I'm SO excited about Stoudemire now, the way he has developed his jumpshot makes him a starter for sure IMO. My predicted starting lineup:

    Kidd
    Kobe
    Lebron
    'Melo
    Stoudemire

    I know it seems strange to have Howard off the bench, but Stoudemire's jumpshot makes up for his defensive shortcomings (its not like he's a BAD defender either, just not as good as Howard).

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Quote Originally Posted by dukeENG2003 View Post
    yeah, KG and Duncan (and Shaq) declined to participate.

    I'm SO excited about Stoudemire now, the way he has developed his jumpshot makes him a starter for sure IMO. My predicted starting lineup:

    Kidd
    Kobe
    Lebron
    'Melo
    Stoudemire

    I know it seems strange to have Howard off the bench, but Stoudemire's jumpshot makes up for his defensive shortcomings (its not like he's a BAD defender either, just not as good as Howard).
    The problem with Amare is he doesn't guard anyone. And his offensive game is built more for the NBA than international play. Anyway, here's my early guess at what the roster will look like.

    Barring a shock, you'll have these nine guys:
    Jason Kidd
    Kobe Bryant
    Dwyane Wade
    Michael Redd
    LeBron James
    Carmelo Anthony
    Dwight Howard
    Amare Stoudemire
    Carlos Boozer

    There will be at least one backup PG among Paul, Billups and Williams for the 10th spot. Let's call it Chris Paul for the time being.
    Then K will have to pick two guys who emerge from the following three battles: Williams vs. Billups; Battier vs. Prince; Bosh vs. Chandler.

    It'll be interesting.

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Jumbo View Post
    The problem with Amare is he doesn't guard anyone. And his offensive game is built more for the NBA than international play. Anyway, here's my early guess at what the roster will look like.

    Barring a shock, you'll have these nine guys:
    Jason Kidd
    Kobe Bryant
    Dwyane Wade
    Michael Redd
    LeBron James
    Carmelo Anthony
    Dwight Howard
    Amare Stoudemire
    Carlos Boozer

    There will be at least one backup PG among Paul, Billups and Williams for the 10th spot. Let's call it Chris Paul for the time being.
    Then K will have to pick two guys who emerge from the following three battles: Williams vs. Billups; Battier vs. Prince; Bosh vs. Chandler.

    It'll be interesting.
    I agree with your "locks" and most of your battles, except that I think that Battier vs Prince battle is actually a little more complicated. You've also got Jamison, Pierce, and Marion battling there, and all 3 of those guys are all-stars. Will be verrrry interesting.

    Oh and I would also throw Brand in the Bosh vs. Chandler battle, though I'm guessing you did not include him b/c he just returned from an injury a week ago and probably will sit out. (he has looked good though since his return so who knows...)
    Last edited by SilkyJ; 04-15-2008 at 01:11 PM. Reason: Brand

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by SilkyJ View Post

    Oh and I would also throw Brand in the Bosh vs. Chandler battle, though I'm guessing you did not include him b/c he just returned from an injury a week ago and probably will sit out. (he has looked good though since his return so who knows...)
    I thought Brand declined to participate because of his recent injury problems? Maybe I'm wrong, but wasn't this on the front page a few days ago?

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