USA Basketball 2010 World Championships Discussion

[SilkyJ]

OK, as promised in the NBA thread I am starting up this thread.

Its a little early as training does not start til July and the Championships dont start til August, but since the discussion was started over there I figured some folks might be interested. (And heck we've been discussing our starting lineup for November for a month already!)

Below are all the posts from the NBA thread. If a mod wants to move them over here, please go ahead!

The most obvious discussion right now is who will be on the team. If no one else does so first, later today/tonight I'll put up what I see as the 12 man roster for the 2010 team and where the battles for spots are likely to occur. That should be a good starting point. Obviously, the picture is quite gray right now with all the free agents potentially not playing (Bron, Wade, Bosh, Booz, etc.) but that just means more scenarios for us to explore :)

Here is the current list of folks who have agreed to participate on the team for 2010-2012.

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster


Gasol and his brother, Fernandez, Navarro, Ricky Rubio, etc.

Don't sleep on Spain, Coach K!

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/05/10/ricky-rubio-is-alive-and-well-in-spain/

Rubio is playing quite well these days.

note: sorry for the slight tangent, but Olympic and World Championship hoops is Duke basketball related!


Hey, they took us to the wire in the championship game. Of all the teams not to sleep on, I think Coach K has them at the top of the list. What other team starts 5 players that are/have been/could be playing in the NBA?

I'm excited for the World Championships this year b/c we may be missing a lot of key players due to free agency: Lebron, Wade, Boozer and Bosh and probably one or two others I am forgetting, so we'll get to see how some of the newer/younger guys are coming along and maybe get a glimpse of who the new additions to the 2012 squad will be.

Of the newbies (meaning guys who weren't on the roster in 2008) Durant is virtually a lock, though he'll need to work on his defense if he wants to play starters minutes in 2012. With Boozer and Bosh gone, I'd expect Amare to make it (he was on the team in '06 or '07 with K) and I'd expect Al Jefferson, Brook Lopez, and Lamarcus Aldridge to get long looks as well and probably in that order of preference. Let's say 2 of those guys (including Amare) makes it to replace Booz and Bosh, Durant take Lebron's spot, that makes one more spot open (Wade's). You'd think they would want a versatile, wing type player. Rudy Gay would be a good fit offensively or maybe Lamar Odom, but I could also see hustle/defensive guy like Gerald Wallace or David Lee making it as a 12th man type.

Silky "Hm, maybe I should start a 2010 World Championships thread" J


I agree, I see Rudy Gay in the last spot. I don't think Odom or even Wallace has a very good chance but I would love to see David Lee grab the last spot. Nobody in the league outworks that guy night in and night out.


What about Brandon Roy? He's quite the player.

As for the 12th man, I think they go for a set position player. USA has never really went for players like Odom who play PF and SF. It should be interesting to see, however


Rudy would be a great fit, but is known for sometimes having an attitude problem, not playing defense, etc. and we know K won't put up with that crap. If properly motivated, however, he would make a great addition.

RE: Roy, TOTALLY agree and great point but he isn't listed on the USA website's roster.

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster

He would almost certainly be a lock for the team.

RE: 12th man spot. I think it could go either way and to say they didn't go with guys who played multiple positions is crazy! K loves guys like that! Guys like Melo and Lebron all played the 3/4 spots and sometimes lebron played center. At time K went with Paul and DWill in the backcourt, sliding whoever the SG was into the SF spot. K loves guys like that, especially when they can GUARD multiple positions. Heck, thats the reason Tayshaun Prince was even on the team. He could guard 2-4.

I'm not saying Odom is the answer, and they may very well go with a spot shooter like say Danny Granger.

OK, its decided, I'm going to start this thread when I have some time later today. Another thing to discuss will be who is going to be the 3 point specialist on the team to punish the zone like Redd did in '08. Granger could fit that role and don't be surprised in Curry maybe moves into that role (or a bigger one) by 2012...

[DallasDevil]

Assuming that none of the free agents participate, I see the team consisting of (*=starter):
G-Chris Paul*, Deron Williams, Kobe Bryant*, Derick Rose
F-Kevin Durant*, Carmelo Anthony*, Danny Granger, Gerald Wallace, Rudy Gay
C-Dwight Howard*, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson


Other guys in the mix may be Billups, Curry, Lee, Odom, and Prince. And after his recent performances, Jerry may want to consider giving Rondo an invite to the program.

[SilkyJ]

I was speaking more along the lines of an Odom like player. He's just such a unique player. He's a PF who can play PF, SF, or C and can also bring the ball up court. He could be picked, but I think they would take a Danny Granger over him.

As for the 3-pt specialist, I could definitely see Curry. He was one of the tops in the league. And, while it's a HUGE longshots, JJ was up there too. He'd have to improve elsewhere significantly. Plus, I can already here the haters now complaining that Coach K would take one of his own for the team

I don't think Curry makes it this year, but in 2012 I'd bet he does.

As for JJ, you need to read my earlier post regarding Roy: he's not on the roster. And uh, HUGE longshot, even in CAPS is still an understatement.

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster

[SilkyJ]

Assuming that none of the free agents participate, I see the team consisting of (*=starter):
G-Chris Paul*, Deron Williams, Kobe Bryant*, Derick Rose
F-Kevin Durant*, Carmelo Anthony*, Danny Granger, Gerald Wallace, Rudy Gay
C-Dwight Howard*, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson

Other guys in the mix may be Billups, Curry, Lee, Odom, and Prince. And after his recent performances, Jerry may want to consider giving Rondo an invite to the program.

I like where your head is at. Let's play out the ZERO free agents scenario.

I'm with you on the starters, though Paul/Williams will be an interesting battle and both will likely play "starters minutes." At this point, b/c of his 3 point shooting, size, and defense I might actually give Williams the edge.

Remember, one thing K talked about in his previous run was how physical the international game is and in particular how physical their guards are. Deron Williams is a big, physical PG who wont get knocked around.

PG - Williams (for argument's sake)
SG - Bryant
SF - Durant
PF - Melo
C - Howard

So who are the 7 reserves. Last time they had 2 dedicated reserve PGs (Paul and Williams who backed up Kidd) and 2 dedicated post players/centers (Bosh and Boozer who backed up Howard) and 3 wing players: Wade, Redd, Prince who all fit a specific role (Wade: 6th man and scorer, Redd: 3 point specialist, Prince: athletic defender who can guard multiple positions). Seems like a reasonable philosophy to take this time around.

PGs:

Paul
Rose/Billups (with Westbrook and Curry in the mix)


Centers:

Amare
Jefferson (with Lopez, Aldridge, and Perkins in the mix)


Wing Players: This is the toughest to project in my mind

Granger (3 point specialist/6th man. While the team has more than adequate 3 point shooters in Bryant, Durant, Melo and Williams, Coach K saw the need for a 3 point specialist during his previous run so I'd imagine they'd have one again. Granger is probably the best guy on the roster to fill this spot, though he's not Michael Redd good...I expect them to find someone by 2012 who is better suited for the role, though heck granger is a very good shooter who averaged 25ppg the last 2 seasons so even if they do find someone better, he could still very well be on the team, perhaps filling the next role...)
Gay (scorer. complete offensive weapon who can play 2-4 if needed)
Wallace (athletic defender who can guard multiple positions)


Others I think could be in the mix: Andre Igoudala, OJ Mayo, Lamar Odom

(Regarding Rondo: he declined his invite for 2010, but may be involved later on. K would love his defense.)
http://www.hoopsnotes.com/2010/05/rajon-rondo-declines-team-usa-invitation/

[Bluedevil114]

As a great a school UNC is and there are no "holes" being considered.

Boston just got done winning the championship before the Olympics and since JJ and Orlando will be going to the Championship this year it should give Rondo some extra time to rest.

[DallasDevil]

I should add that my line-up was based on the assumption that Amare opts out and becomes a free agent this summer.

[Big Pappa]

I don't think Curry makes it this year, but in 2012 I'd bet he does.

As for JJ, you need to read my earlier post regarding Roy: he's not on the roster. And uh, HUGE longshot, even in CAPS is still an understatement.

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster

JJ really has no shot, as much as I would love to see him there. I'm not sure a non-starter has ever been on a U.S. Olympic Team (possible trivia question). I would love for someone to give Adam Morrison a prank call, "Adam, since your NBA career has been so great and everyone said you would be SO much better than JJ in the league, we have decided to let you play for the U.S. Olympic Basketball team... Just kidding." *click*

[SilkyJ]

JJ really has no shot, as much as I would love to see him there. I'm not sure a non-starter has ever been on a U.S. Olympic Team (possible trivia question). I would love for someone to give Adam Morrison a prank call, "Adam, since your NBA career has been so great and everyone said you would be SO much better than JJ in the league, we have decided to let you play for the U.S. Olympic Basketball team... Just kidding." *click*

Now you're just being mean...




OK i'll do it. Who has his #?

[Billy Dat]

According to the USA Basketball website, here's the full pool. Colangelo and K always say that building up equity is important. I've sorted the list, by memory, by who has the most equity built up. I also included a bucket of guys who participated in the mini-camp last year but are not on the finalist list this year.

2008 Olympians (most equity built up, * for 2010 free agents, ** for hinting that they may not be available, *** for injured/old/may want to hold out for 2012)
Carmelo Anthony**, Carlos Boozer*, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant***, Dwight Howard, LeBron James*, Chris Paul*, Dwyane Wade*, Deron Williams, Tayshaun Prince

2007 Tourny of the Americas (next most equity built up):
Chauncey Billups, Amar’e Stoudemire

2008 Select Team/2009 Mini Camp (next most equity built up):
Andre Iguodala, Brook Lopez, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, David Lee
Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Jeff Green, Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay

Newbies/Prior Invites but Never Participants:
LaMarcus Aldridge, Stephen Curry,Tyreke Evans, Danny Granger, Al Jefferson,
Lamar Odom, Kendrick Perkins, Gerald Wallace

Guys who played last summer but aren't on this year's list:
Thad Young, Kyle Korver, JaVale MacGee, Josh Smith, DJ Augustin, Anthony Randolph, Greg Oden, Ronnie Brewer, Paul Milsap

[greybeard]

I think that there is very little possibility, as in zero, that Kobe plays this summer, or any other after the Lakers make a meaningful run. Same for LeBron. If Paul plays, in my opinion, he's insane, given how is body does not hold up.

Durrant is likely to play and I have to believe has much he can learn. On the other hand, any star on any team that goes deep in the playoffs in any year I should think would need to be certifiable if they play. Bodies break down and we are seeing it with the best of the best, namely Kobe, and I believe LeBron as well, although in his case I think it is shooting threes on the move from ungodly distances in ways (falling back) that do not permit his torso to follow through with the shot--thus the sore elbow.

I am not a fan of Dream teams; nor am I a fan of pro basketball players playing in the Olympics. I think that Stern is crazy for not using his influence to get the United States to force a change of the game played in the Olympics to OUR GAME, not some offshoot of it that changes the geometry and the timing of the game such that all this training in order to compete is necessary in the first place.

I think that we, Americans, can easily field the best team in the world if the game was the one played in America, either college or NBA rules. I think a month of easy practice, and a team of pros if that is what it must be would roll through the Olympics or any other international tournament.

I see almost no value to pro ball players spending their human capital preparing to play a game that I think is markedly different than anything that they have played growing up and anything that they will play when paid going forward.

Since it probably would be a public relations nightmare for Stern to take such a position--a tacit admission that what is so is, that is, that the rest of the World is better at the International game then we are unless we are lucky enough to win a squeeker after the best-of-the-best spend four summers preparing so they are not markedly stupider on the court than their competition.

I say, return to letting only amateurs from the US play. Maybe one and doners will spend an extra year or two in college to get a shot out of showing on a public stage. Then, the US will have no impediment in insisting that the real game of basketball be played and that it will no longer participate in a game that is foreign to the originators of the sport.

I think that, if the US does not get to compete against others in the game that is played in the US, they will lose no matter who is on the team this next time. I also happen to think that the very best players will no longer participate, that they will come to realize that their bodies are a zero sum game and should not be wasted on what has become an economic behemouth in which they have no stake.

[roywhite]

We've had nearly every version of USA participation in Olympic (and to a large extent World Championship) basketball:

AAU guys and college guys play
The best college guys play
College guys play, but younger and not always the best
Dream Team of pros
Team of pros without many star players
Good team of pros with limited preparation
Best available pros with good preparation (2008)

In the meantime, the competition has gotten better and better, and generally consists of the very best players a given country has.

Frankly, I liked the 2008 model a lot; the USA had a very good team and was well prepared, but had a serious challenge in the Gold Medal game. Going to another model is just not very likely IMO.

I will concede that a slightly lesser USA team this summer has a chance of losing to, say, Spain, or Argentina. But let's try to get the best players we can and prepare them in a first class way, as I know Colangelo, K, and others will do.

[Big Pappa]

I think that we, Americans, can easily field the best team in the world if the game was the one played in America, either college or NBA rules. I think a month of easy practice, and a team of pros if that is what it must be would roll through the Olympics or any other international tournament.


I agree with most of the points in your post but not this one. I agree that we could field the most talented team but not necessarily the best one. IMO there is no way a team of NBA all-stars thrown together could roll through a seasoned and close-knit group from another country - like Spain.

As Duke fans, we all know the value of having a group of guys who play hard, together, and that are well coached. Hard work and some talent usually can outway some work and lots of talent (2010 - Kentucky and Duke). I don't think that the international rules offset the importance of working really hard and playing together, even if the team from the other country is less talented.

[Billy Dat]

I love the way the system is set up now, and I have grown to love the international game. I think, considering how great our players are, dealing with the handicap of not having international rules and style in their DNA is ok. I agree that players who have already made their mark may think twice about participating every time, but the double whammy of testing/improving their games against the best comp, and the boost in exposure, will always be a huge lure for the up and comers. Since we seem to have a never ending supply of budding stars, I think we'll be in great shape. The USA Basketball program is as strong as it has ever been since the world "caught up" and I am really looking forward to this summer, and London in 2012. The amateur era for the Senior Men's National team has passed, if you want to get into that, watch the U19 or U18 team. That, basically, the remaining amateur international competition.

[Billy Dat]

FWIW - I also think K's post-Duke career will involve him having Jerry G's current job of Executive Director/CEO of USA Basketball.

[basket1544]

I read on ESPN's rumors page that Deron Williams won't be playing this summer. Something about a wrist injury.

[greybeard]

The geometry of the game, the lane size in particular, and the ability to swat balls off the rim, make understanding one's vulnerability on exterior defense, for example, very problematic. Accordingly, one not familiar with the game, might think that he has help available no matter which side of the low block the offensive player is situated on, only to discover the help cannot get there. The same can be said on the other side of the ball. Understanding what is a "win" position either off a catch in the low post, a catch in the high post, a drive to the basket, all changes with the different goal tending rule and the geometry of the lane. We have not yet talked about the different rules regarding inbounding the ball and, again most importantly, walking.

It would be like taking a poker wiz at 5 card stud and putting him in a game in which 3s are wild, then 2s and 3s. He'd be a relative idiot as against people used to playing with the wild cards. This is where the real advantage lies, not in team chemistry, but in being smart in a fundamentally different game, at least as I see it.

The more players focus on the incidence of injury that accompanied playing on this past team, I believe Kobe, LeBron and Melo all broke down to name just 3, and that no one but the beast really flourished--Williams and Paul also broke down this year too. These guys are going to get that it doesn't get all better and that those injuries start counting much more as they age, come into the 30 range, new symptoms emerge. When players start realizing the number of former players who never hurt their hips who have had to have hip replacements at early ages, playing hard for an extra two months a year for highly paid stars concerned not just with the longevity of their careers but the quality of their post career lives, forgettaboutit, they ain't playing.

With all the work that Bryant Gumbel is doing in investigating and reporting on injury in sport, and the more they see of child hood heros or oldsters in the league who can no longer exhibit athleticism even while they still appear to be in great shape, the time for these type concerns reaching young players, I believe, has arrived.

Those who are looking for killer big contracts might still want to play and think it worth it; Durrant and his teammate Green (I think Green would be TERRIFIC in the international game, by the way) are examples who come to mind. However, one year of playing through and if, for example were to go deep next year, I think that both those guys would opt out, or at least that they should.

We'll see. This entire length of season issue it seems to me falls away if international play were to change to the NBA rules. The NBAs expansion plans might push the International community in that direction, particularly as more and more of their stars compete in the NBA. Then, I believe, the US would be able to field superior teams for the forseeable future without the summer commitments for four years which is the current requirement.

[Big Pappa]

Durrant is likely to play and I have to believe has much he can learn.


Those who are looking for killer big contracts might still want to play and think it worth it; Durrant and his teammate Green (I think Green would be TERRIFIC in the international game, by the way) are examples who come to mind.

I understand your points about international play and they are very well supported. I do have to nitpick though because you did it twice. It's Kevin Durant

[CPDUKEGUY24]

In response to previous comments, w/ regard to making sure K remembers not sleep on Spain and their stacked starting five, who know already how to play the international game so well...

For starters: http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=08_moly_04

"We're really pleased with our effort. It's an honor to play against a great team. And, Spain has a great team," said USA and Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewksi.

He was on 'em back in 08'

Did you guys ever doubt him? Come on... coaching staff consists of a West Coast coach, McMillan, who sees (by sees I mean, coaches against and thusly also literally sees) more of Pau Gasol than he could ever want. And also coaches Fernandez, and Im sure at some point has coached against Lil. Gasol, and Navarro as well.

As well as, Mr. International/Up-Tempo style of play, himself, Mr. Mike D' Antoni (sp?)

Ducks in a row folks, it could only be better his second time around right?

[DukieBoy]

Here's what my line-up is going to look like

PG - Deron Williams
SG - Kobe
SF - Bron
PF - Melo
C - Howard

PGs
Chris Paul
Rajon Rondo

Forwards
Amare
Bosh

Wing Players
Wade
Roy
Granger

[SilkyJ]

PGs
Chris Paul
Rajon Rondo

Wing Players
Wade
Roy
Granger

Dude, you've GOT to start paying attention. Rondo declined his invitation, as I posted in response to DallasDevil and I have now responded to you THREE times that Roy is not on the roster.

LOOK AT THE ROSTER DUUUUUDDDDEEE

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster




you need to read my earlier post regarding Roy: he's not on the roster.

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster



(Regarding Rondo: he declined his invite for 2010, but may be involved later on. K would love his defense.)
http://www.hoopsnotes.com/2010/05/rajon-rondo-declines-team-usa-invitation/

[DukieBoy]

Dude, you've GOT to start paying attention. Rondo declined his invitation, as I posted in response to DallasDevil and I have now responded to you THREE times that Roy is not on the roster.

LOOK AT THE ROSTER DUUUUUDDDDEEE

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=201012MNTroster

Well I was talking more about the 2012 Olympics. That isn't the name of the thread either, so I don't really have an excuse. I didn't look at the roster for the 2010s.

[SilkyJ]

Well I was talking more about the 2012 Olympics. That isn't the name of the thread either, so I don't really have an excuse. I didn't look at the roster for the 2010s.

Well, the 2012 team will be tied to the 2010 team, sort of.

If you go to the webpage you will actually see that the roster is called the 2010-2012 roster. Much like the last go round, K and Colangelo are insisting on a 3 year commitment from the players in order to foster continuity, camaraderie, chemistry, etc. etc.

Now there are guys who can certainly be added to the list later in 2010/2011 especially as younger guys develop and whatnot (John Wall perhaps?), but for the most part those involved with the program now are the ones that will be involved later. Rondo and Roy are not amongst those players.

Here's some more color on Roy:

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/10/13/roy.usa/index.html
http://usahoopsnews.blogspot.com/2010/03/brandon-roy-still-has-hopes-for-2012.html

[A-Tex Devil]

I've just sort of skimmed this thread, but I think the US is going to up the ante on the rest of the world in the next few years of the competition, and it's because of 1 player -- Kevin Durant.

KD was closer than most admit to making the Olympic team 2 years ago with stellar workouts in the summer. He has a game that is perfectly molded to the international style of play.

Barring injury or other deux es machina with his career, I think he has a chance (a chance) to be the greatest offensive weapon in the history of the NBA. (I'm not sure he'll ever be there defensively to put him with a Kobe/LeBron/Jordan, but he's only 21. We'll see.)

The issue is that he and Carmelo pretty much play the same position. And Carmelo has proven to be the USA's best offensive player in the international circuit. If K can figure out a way for them to both be on the floor without causing defensive lapses, that would be ideal, and pretty much unstoppable.

[Big Pappa]

I've just sort of skimmed this thread, but I think the US is going to up the ante on the rest of the world in the next few years of the competition, and it's because of 1 player -- Kevin Durant.

KD was closer than most admit to making the Olympic team 2 years ago with stellar workouts in the summer. He has a game that is perfectly molded to the international style of play.

Barring injury or other deux es machina with his career, I think he has a chance (a chance) to be the greatest offensive weapon in the history of the NBA. (I'm not sure he'll ever be there defensively to put him with a Kobe/LeBron/Jordan, but he's only 21. We'll see.)

The issue is that he and Carmelo pretty much play the same position. And Carmelo has proven to be the USA's best offensive player in the international circuit. If K can figure out a way for them to both be on the floor without causing defensive lapses, that would be ideal, and pretty much unstoppable.

I agree. It's also nice to see another Dukie in the ATX.

To get them both on the floor I could see the starting lineup looking like this:

Deron Williams
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony
Lebron James
Dwight Howard

[greybeard]

I agree with most of the points in your post but not this one. I agree that we could field the most talented team but not necessarily the best one. IMO there is no way a team of NBA all-stars thrown together could roll through a seasoned and close-knit group from another country - like Spain.

As Duke fans, we all know the value of having a group of guys who play hard, together, and that are well coached. Hard work and some talent usually can outway some work and lots of talent (2010 - Kentucky and Duke). I don't think that the international rules offset the importance of working really hard and playing together, even if the team from the other country is less talented.

You might be right but I don't think so. The reason all the practicing is necessary because guys get exposed on the floor as not knowing when they are playing at disadvantage or playing with advantage based upon how players are deployed because of the different geometry and rules.

You play the game you know and your mind is like a computer; you size up the game based upon milisecond changes and react in slight ways accordingly. That's what the practice is needed for.

Every pro knows the Triangle because they have either played it or had to defend it and it happens to be the best offense ever devised, especially if you have real talent. You let LeBron, Kobe, Melo, Bosh, Boozer, Brand, to name a few play at the elbow where MJ and Pippen, and now Kobe, Gasol, and Lamar have ruled, and the tournament is over.

Defenses, in our game, not the international one, please; a month is not enough time for these guys to making the game sing. Come on.

[Big Pappa]

Every pro knows the Triangle because they have either played it or had to defend it and it happens to be the best offense ever devised, especially if you have real talent. You let LeBron, Kobe, Melo, Bosh, Boozer, Brand, to name a few play at the elbow where MJ and Pippen, and now Kobe, Gasol, and Lamar have ruled, and the tournament is over.


I respect what you are saying about the international rules and you may be right about domination for the US if we changed the rules. If the other countries had to play our game and didn't practice much (like we did in 2004) I think we would surely dominate them. I just believe that without practice we would be right back to where we were in 04'.

Interestingly enough, I saw a special about the 2010 Lakers tonight on ESPN and a large part of it was about Ron Artest's addition. A large part of that was about his struggles to learn the Triangle offense, even after defending it (very well I would add) many times. I know Ron may not be the best example, but your comment brought it to mind.

[SilkyJ]

Bump!

As Airowe's blog mentions (http://dukehoop.blogspot.com/2010/07/duke-coaching-staff-heading-to-vegas.html), and as the USA basketball site confirms (http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/mnt_july_player_addition_2010_07_15.html), we now have a list of confirmed players for the USA basketball training camp, which starts Monday.

Three things I would point out: 1) ALL of the main players from the 2008 gold medal team are absent: Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Melo, Howard, Paul and Williams are all not on the confirmed list (neither is Kidd, but he's not on the larger roster). Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer were on that team and are also missing, despite being on the larger roster.

2) This is going to be a VERY young team, which is partially a consequence of point #1.

3) Rondo has been added to this list, and yes I'm giving this its own "point." Previously, Rondo had declined this invitation, but after his performance in this playoffs I would bet Colangelo put the full court press on to get him. He's not a great shooter, which is usually at a premium in international competition as folks are known to use lots of zone, but obviously he's a tremendous talent and will play a lot of minutes for team USA for years to come. The PG battle b/w him, Paul and Williams come 2011 and 2012 will be tremendous.

Other notable absentees who are on the larger roster but who are not attending, include: Lamarcus Aldridge and Al Jefferson, both of whom would have good shots at making this and/or later teams.

Anyway, its definitely a younger group with the exception of a few players like Amare, Chandler and Billups, so maybe its by design that none of the players are returning? I'm sure we'll find out the reasons for having ZERO returning members of the gold medal team whenever K and Colangelo have their next presser, but it certainly wont be a bad thing to get some of these younger guys more deeply integrated into the program.

Below are all 21 players organized into 3 categories that I think somewhat define what the coaches will look at when picking the roster: PGs, Post players, and the multitude of Wings. (As a note, I am including combo guards like Steph Curry in the PG category and while Mayo and Gordon could go there I put them in the Wings category...my reasoning: you wouldn't put DWade in the PG category, you'd call him a wing since he was always in the game with either Kidd, Paul or Williams during the last run. Decent reasoning in my mind. I don't think Mayo or Gordon would ever be the primary PG, not when guys like Billups, Rondo or even Rose/Curry are around.)

PGs
Chauncey Billups
Stephen Curry
Rajon Rondo
Derrick Rose
Russell Westbrook

Wings
Kevin Durant
Tyreke Evans
Rudy Gay
Eric Gordon
Danny Granger
Jeff Green
Andre Iguodala
O.J. Mayo
Lamar Odom
Gerald Wallace

Posts
Tyson Chandler
Amar’e Stoudemire
David Lee
Brook Lopez
Robin Lopez
Kevin Love

From this list, I would think the LOCKS are
Rondo, Durant, and Amare, with Billups and Chandler basically locks b/c they've been in the program and to the FIBAs before. Not to mention they would provide a veteran presence on what is likely to be a very young squad.

So thats 2 PGs, 1 Wing, 2 post players. So you would imagine out of the 7 remaining spots, there would be 1 more PG and Post each, and 5 wings, some of the more SG types (ala Iguodala), some more SF/PF types (ala Odom) and some more pure 3s (ala Granger). This composition would exactly mirror the 2008 lineup of 3 PGs, 3 Posts, 6 wings. Here's my prediction:

PGs: Rondo, Billups, (+1)
+1 = Curry.
Runner-up: Rose.
By the end of the year last year, Curry was the ROY and his shooting will be valued in international arena. Rose is more of a pure PG and can better handle the physicality of international game, but with 2 proven, pure PGs already on the team (in my scenario), I think Curry makes more sense. Westbrook is solid, but can't shoot, so I think he is out of the running here. Rose's game is similar, but basically better.

Posts: Amar'e, Chandler, (+1)
+1 = Brook Lopez.
Runner-up: David Lee.
Sleeper: Kevin Love.
We know that Amar'e can't guard Centers, and with Chandler as the only pure Center, I think the staff goes with "need" here and gets another pure Center. That takes the "undersized" centers like Lee and Love out of contention, in my mind. Brook Lopez is already a high quality NBA 7-footer (he averaged 18 and 9 last year and 1.7 blocks...yes it was on the nets) and so he'd already be in the discussion regardless of what the "need" for the team was down low. I do like Lee and Love though, and both could be in contention, perhaps at the expense of one of those many Wing spots. K will love Lee's hustle and motor, and Love is obviously just an all-around talent and can definitely hit the boards.

Wings: Durant (+5)

Granger
Mayo
Iguodala
Odom
Gerald Wallace

In contention: Rudy Gay.
I won't rationalize all these selections, but I wanted a mix of good shooters, athleticism (especially for defense) and some size and versatility. Mayo and Granger can come in and extend the D with shooting, Iguodala and Wallace are extremely athletic and can lock down multiple positions, and Odom adds some extra size and versatility. Gay is in the mix here, but his defense may hurt him.

Starting lineup prediction:
PG: Rondo
SG: Granger
SF: Durant
PF: Amar'e
C: Lopez

Here's what I put before regarding the 7 reserve positions, before we knew the exact players in the running...pretty similar predictions, I guess I'm just sticking to my guns.



PGs:

Paul
Rose/Billups (with Westbrook and Curry in the mix)


Centers:

Amare
Jefferson (with Lopez, Aldridge, and Perkins in the mix)


Wing Players: This is the toughest to project in my mind

Granger (3 point specialist/6th man. While the team has more than adequate 3 point shooters in Bryant, Durant, Melo and Williams, Coach K saw the need for a 3 point specialist during his previous run so I'd imagine they'd have one again. Granger is probably the best guy on the roster to fill this spot, though he's not Michael Redd good...I expect them to find someone by 2012 who is better suited for the role, though heck granger is a very good shooter who averaged 25ppg the last 2 seasons so even if they do find someone better, he could still very well be on the team, perhaps filling the next role...)
Gay (scorer. complete offensive weapon who can play 2-4 if needed)
Wallace (athletic defender who can guard multiple positions)


Others I think could be in the mix: Andre Igoudala, OJ Mayo, Lamar Odom

[airowe]

Great post SilkyJ. I would say that three-point specialist you were tabbing for Granger would probably end up being a Seth Curry type, but I don't know if has the upper body strength at this point to handle being pushed around in international play. I agree it would more likely be someone of Granger's size, at least at this point in Curry's development.

While I would have liked to have seen more of a commitment from the returning Olympians, I think the fact that there is a whole new pool of talent to select from, and work with during the World Championships will eventually benefit not just the players themselves, but the Olympic Basketball program as an entity. They will get to work with the coaches for all of next week and then whoever is picked for the team will get valuable international experience as well.

We'll try to find out more about the reasoning for the returnees not joining the team for the World Championships as we cover the Training Camp this week...

[SilkyJ]

Great post SilkyJ. I would say that three-point specialist you were tabbing for Granger would probably end up being a Seth Curry type, but I don't know if has the upper body strength at this point to handle being pushed around in international play. I agree it would more likely be someone of Granger's size, at least at this point in Curry's development.

While I would have liked to have seen more of a commitment from the returning Olympians, I think the fact that there is a whole new pool of talent to select from, and work with during the World Championships will eventually benefit not just the players themselves, but the Olympic Basketball program as an entity. They will get to work with the coaches for all of next week and then whoever is picked for the team will get valuable international experience as well.

We'll try to find out more about the reasoning for the returnees not joining the team for the World Championships as we cover the Training Camp this week...

Thanks, airowe. I agree that Granger isn't the ideal guy for the 3 point specialist...unfortunately, no one really is beside Curry and as you point out he's a little undersized or understrengthed...yes I just made up that word. Mayo can also shoot the rock: he averaged 38% as a rookie and in his 2nd year from deep, so he's no slouch...though he's also no Michael Redd, but b/w him, granger, curry and even billups and durant we have some solid shooters out there. Still, I would like to see one specialist to bring in a really punish the zone. Don't be surprised if this comes up in some tight games where we are shooting poorly.

Will also be very interested to read your coverage, particularly regarding the lack of returnees. Surely there must be something we are missing since literally all of the guys from '08 aren't coming. I recall Coach K saying that part of his reason for re-upping was that guys like Bron, Kobe, and Howard all re-upped as well for the full 3 yr commitment. He also said this summer would be tough with free agency, but thats basically over at this point so there must be some other explanation.

[Billy Dat]

I am glad to see there are others as excited about the World Championships as I am. Here are my predictions:

Billups, Rondo, Rose, Curry
Durant, Gay, Odom, Granger
Amare, Lopez, Love, Lee

I think Billups is a lock because K has such strong belief in veteran leadership. As such, Billups is in the Kidd role. I think Amare and Odom are on for similar reasons, especially since both have the international experience.

In the backcourt, I am going with both Rose and Rondo even though both can't really shoot. But, I think everything else they bring is key. I added Curry for the shooting alone.

Up front, I am going size (Lopez), rebounding (Lee) and the guy who is most like an international big (Love). Chandler's equity with the team may bump him up, though. If so, I think it's over Lee.

For wings, I am going with the obvious (Durant) and the experience (Odom). I am going with Granger and Gay because I think Granger is the best combo of defense and scoring of the remaining guys, and I think Gay made a huge impression on the Team USA staff last summer at the mini camp. I think that will carry over.

I can't wait for next week, and I am going to the game against Paris in NYC in August!!!

[tbyers11]

I'm sure we'll find out the reasons for having ZERO returning members of the gold medal team whenever K and Colangelo have their next presser, but it certainly wont be a bad thing to get some of these younger guys more deeply integrated into the program.


Here is an article (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-teamusa071110) in which Colangelo briefly gets into the reasons (free agency, injuries) why none of the 2008 Olympic team will be on this team.

I find this part of the article interesting

Colangelo had previously said anyone declining an invitation without a legitimate reason would be at risk to be excluded from the 2012 Olympics in London. He said Sunday none of these players will be penalized.

“There are no issues here with anyone,” Colangelo said. “Everyone has to take care of their business, families and to get healthy. All our [Olympic] guys were touched by all of that.”

To me not all of these players excuses are super-legitimate but I think that USA basketball realized that they would have to give the biggest names some summer time off or they might not get them back for 2012.

I think having a whole new group will be good to see which players will be on the 2012 team with the core (Howard, Wade, Kobe, LeBron, Paul, Williams, Anthony) that will certainly be on the team.

[SilkyJ]

I am glad to see there are others as excited about the World Championships as I am. Here are my predictions:

Billups, Rondo, Rose, Curry
Durant, Gay, Odom, Granger
Amare, Lopez, Love, Lee

I think Billups is a lock because K has such strong belief in veteran leadership. As such, Billups is in the Kidd role. I think Amare and Odom are on for similar reasons, especially since both have the international experience.

In the backcourt, I am going with both Rose and Rondo even though both can't really shoot. But, I think everything else they bring is key. I added Curry for the shooting alone.

Up front, I am going size (Lopez), rebounding (Lee) and the guy who is most like an international big (Love). Chandler's equity with the team may bump him up, though. If so, I think it's over Lee.

For wings, I am going with the obvious (Durant) and the experience (Odom). I am going with Granger and Gay because I think Granger is the best combo of defense and scoring of the remaining guys, and I think Gay made a huge impression on the Team USA staff last summer at the mini camp. I think that will carry over.

I can't wait for next week, and I am going to the game against Paris in NYC in August!!!

I'm definitely pumped! I like your picks and your reasoning. Very similar to mine. I basically picked G.Wallace over Lee b/c at 6'7/220 he still averaged 9rpg so he can bring the rebounding buts some more athleticism/versatility and defense. He can guard 2-4 basically. I also went with Chandler over Love b/c of experience, and Mayo over Gay b/c of shooting, though I could definitely see Gay winning that battle.

You put 4 PGs in there, so basically put in Rose and took out Iguodala...could happen, but I'm not sure we need 3 PGs and and a combo guard. I think we'd rather have another athletic defender out of the wing than another PG who won't play very much. There's not enough minutes for Billups, Rondo, Rose and Curry.

[Billy Dat]

As for why none of the 2008ers are coming...I think it's very basic. They gave up 3 straight summers from 2006-2008 and they don't want to put too many additional miles on the tires. They all consider the Olympics a bigger deal than the Worlds, and I bet they all want to play in 2012.

In the case of Lebron, Wade and Bosh, they're focus is squarely on winning an NBA title and I bet they wanted to focus on that. Don't be surprised if Riley got in their ear about that, too. Kobe needs surgery, Paul is coming off an injury, Prince is no spring chicken, Boozer is headed for a new team, Redd is still banged up, etc. But, a lot of NBA guys aren't playing for their countries...Kirilinko, Pau Gasol, etc.

Bottom line, I think the US is better off long term getting some new blood out there. I think everyone will agree that Team USA participation improves these guys' games tremendously, especially in the confidence department. I think whomever makes the team will improve dramatically and they'll be ready to take it to the guys who decided to skip this summer during the 2010/11 NBA season.

[Class of '94]

Here is an article (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-teamusa071110) in which Colangelo briefly gets into the reasons (free agency, injuries) why none of the 2008 Olympic team will be on this team.

I find this part of the article interesting


To me not all of these players excuses are super-legitimate but I think that USA basketball realized that they would have to give the biggest names some summer time off or they might not get them back for 2012.

I think having a whole new group will be good to see which players will be on the 2012 team with the core (Howard, Wade, Kobe, LeBron, Paul, Williams, Anthony) that will certainly be on the team.

Personally, I think it's kind of a poor reflection on most of the Olympians that are not playing in the Worlds. The only people that know of that have a legtimate injury excuse is Kobe and possibly Chris Paul (who was hurt in the regular season). I don't remember hearing anything about Deron being hurt; but he might have had off-season surgery. I know Melo had his wedding and is on his honeymoon. But Howard, Lebron, Wade, Bosh and the other guys have not excuses. I wished they would have stepped up to help this team since none of them won a gold medal at a World championship; but I agree that it will be a fantastic experience for the guys that will be competing.

And btw, I am not ready to say that KD will be the greatest offensive player in the world. He's good; but he doesn't (as of now) have the shake and bake drive and shoot moves or the post-up game that Kobe or D-Wade have. Not saying it can't happen but don't see right now.

[SilkyJ]

Bottom line, I think the US is better off long term getting some new blood out there.

Totally agree with this part. Bron, Melo, Wade, etc. are all all-stars, have all played together, and have all played against int'l competition at this point. They will come in and be fine. Getting these younger guys integrated makes a lot of sense.

And I agree with you about giving up prior summers and addt'l mileage, etc. but I was under the impression that this was a 3 yr commitment. Not a big deal if they come in for 2011 and then the olympics in 2012, (as they say, 2 outta 3 ain't bad) but this was definitely framed as a 3 year commitment, so I was a little surprised to see none of them joining.

[roywhite]

Totally agree with this part. Bron, Melo, Wade, etc. are all all-stars, have all played together, and have all played against int'l competition at this point. They will come in and be fine. Getting these younger guys integrated makes a lot of sense.

And I agree with you about giving up prior summers and addt'l mileage, etc. but I was under the impression that this was a 3 yr commitment. Not a big deal if they come in for 2011 and then the olympics in 2012, (as they say, 2 outta 3 ain't bad) but this was definitely framed as a 3 year commitment, so I was a little surprised to see none of them joining.

Refresh my memory.

Doesn't the 2010 World Champion qualify for the 2012 Olympics and thereby get to skip 2011 qualifying?

[SilkyJ]

Refresh my memory.

Doesn't the 2010 World Champion qualify for the 2012 Olympics and thereby get to skip 2011 qualifying?

Sounds right. I seem to recall that we lost to greece in '06 at the FIBAs, and thats why we had to play in the Americas tournament in '07 in order to qualify.

Presumably, even if we did qualify this year, we would still have training camp and everything in '11 to continue to foster the chemistry, familiarity and everything, but its not the same as playing in games and tournaments together.

So to your point (and mine), shouldn't these guys be around this year in case its the only time before the Olympics that they will get to play in real games together??

[airowe]

So to your point (and mine), shouldn't these guys be around this year in case its the only time before the Olympics that they will get to play in real games together??

The USA has an automatic berth into the 2012 Olympics as the last Gold Medal Winner.

There will be plenty of our opportunity, exhibitions, scrimmages, and game play for the USA team to play together:

http://www.usabasketball.com/calendar/index.html

[roywhite]

The USA has an automatic berth into the 2012 Olympics as the last Gold Medal Winner.

There will be plenty of our opportunity, exhibitions, scrimmages, and game play for the USA team to play together:

http://www.usabasketball.com/calendar/index.html

Airowe, are you sure about the Olympic Gold Medal winner automatically qualifying for the 2012 Games?

Here's a wiki entry on qualifying for the 2008 Olympics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_2008_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_M en%27s_qualification) If I understand it correctly, the host nation got an automatic berth and the 2006 World Champion had an automatic berth; everybody else (12 teams total in the Olympics) had to qualify in 2007 regional tournaments or in a 2008 qualifying tournament. Perhaps the qualifying procedures for 2012 are a little different?

By the way, any info on whether the top guys for Spain will all play? Both Gasols plus Rubio, Fernandez, etc ---they could be very tough. USA is no sure thing in the World Tournament.

[airowe]

Airowe, are you sure about the Olympic Gold Medal winner automatically qualifying for the 2012 Games?

Here's a wiki entry on qualifying for the 2008 Olympics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_2008_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_M en%27s_qualification) If I understand it correctly, the host nation got an automatic berth and the 2006 World Champion had an automatic berth; everybody else (12 teams total in the Olympics) had to qualify in 2007 regional tournaments or in a 2008 qualifying tournament. Perhaps the qualifying procedures for 2012 are a little different?

By the way, any info on whether the top guys for Spain will all play? Both Gasols plus Rubio, Fernandez, etc ---they could be very tough. USA is no sure thing in the World Tournament.

I guess I'm not positive but would have bet my life on it 5 minutes ago.

[SilkyJ]

The USA has an automatic berth into the 2012 Olympics as the last Gold Medal Winner.

There will be plenty of our opportunity, exhibitions, scrimmages, and game play for the USA team to play together:

http://www.usabasketball.com/calendar/index.html

Maybe we should stop speculating and wait for K and Colangelo to address this...but that wouldn't be any fun!

So Airowe, two-fold question, and they are related- speaking specifically about the "core" group of guys from the 2008 team who are basically locks for the 2012 team (Kobe, Bron, Melo, Wade, Howard, Paul and Williams, and maybe Bosh) what opportunities do you see them having to play in real games together (besides 3 of them being on the Heat, haha) in 2011 prior to the Olympics? Friendlies and exhibitions are great, but it isn't the same as playing in real games, and other than the FIBA America tournment in 2011, I didn't see any real games for those guys....and that begs the question:

(and anyone else feel free to chime in here), would we play in the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying if we were already qualified for the Olympics (say either by winning in '08 or winning this summer's tournament)? Would we even be allowed to?

[JasonEvans]

would we play in the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying if we were already qualified for the Olympics (say either by winning in '08 or winning this summer's tournament)? Would we even be allowed to?

I strongly doubt we would be allowed to play in a tournament to determine which teams go to the Olympics if we were already qualified for the Olympics.

I think whoever we have on the team for 2012 will get some (but not a lot) of playing time together in practice and in exhibition games leading up to the tournament. It may not be ideal, but it should be enough.

As for who makes the 2012 team -- I bet there are at least 3 spots up for grabs.

Tayshaun Prince would be 32 and he is not the player today that he was in 2008.
Michael Redd would be 33 and he has been decimated by injuries the past 2 years.
Jason Kidd will be 39... 'nuf said.

Kevin Durant would seem to be on his way toward being a lock for the team. He could easily slip into Prince or Redd's spot.

They will likely want another PG-type to replace Kidd. Rose, Rondo, Curry, Evans, Westbrook or maybe even John Wall?

I think they will go with a big man for the last spot. Stoudamire and Lopez wold seem to be the front-runners but I would not count out Love or David Lee. Is it impossible that a finally healthy Blake Griffin.

--Jason "I wonder if one of the younger 2008 guys might get squeezed out -- perhaps Carlos?" Evans

[Billy Dat]

Here's a sobering thought I just considered via ESPN's Chris Sheridan.

If we don't win the World's this summer, we have to qualify at the Tournament of the Americas next summer. If there is an NBA lockout, we may be qualifying with college players...which is no gimme. As of today, it looks like Amare won't be able to play because his Knick's contract can't be insured due to his prior injuries.

If the scenario plays out as described above, and a plucky group of collegians secure a spot in the Olympics, there is sure to be a call for the end of professionals representing the US...until they get drilled at the Olympics. I believe the top 2 teams at the FIBA Tournament of the Americas qualify for the Olympics and the 3rd, 4th and 5th place teams get to play in a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament played right before the games. As such, if we didn't win this summer and there were a 2011 lockout, our collegians would have to place at least 5th...Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Venezuela...there won't be much room for error.

Suddenly, this summer is looking a lot more interesting, and I was already interested!

[airowe]

I'm having a hard time seeing how the lockout would disallow NBA guys from playing in the World Championships. If they're not technically under contract and looking at the prospect of not playing basketball for some time, I'd say they'd be more likely to play for Team USA.

This article says due to contract insurance concerns with the Knicks, Amare may not play. It also explains player absences a bit more:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5392827

[Acymetric]

Here's a sobering thought I just considered via ESPN's Chris Sheridan.

If we don't win the World's this summer, we have to qualify at the Tournament of the Americas next summer. If there is an NBA lockout, we may be qualifying with college players...which is no gimme. As of today, it looks like Amare won't be able to play because his Knick's contract can't be insured due to his prior injuries.

If the scenario plays out as described above, and a plucky group of collegians secure a spot in the Olympics, there is sure to be a call for the end of professionals representing the US...until they get drilled at the Olympics. I believe the top 2 teams at the FIBA Tournament of the Americas qualify for the Olympics and the 3rd, 4th and 5th place teams get to play in a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament played right before the games. As such, if we didn't win this summer and there were a 2011 lockout, our collegians would have to place at least 5th...Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Venezuela...there won't be much room for error.

Suddenly, this summer is looking a lot more interesting, and I was already interested!

Would a lockout prevent NBA players from playing in the tournament of the Americas?

[Duvall]

I'm having a hard time seeing how the lockout would disallow NBA guys from playing in the World Championships. If they're not technically under contract and looking at the prospect of not playing basketball for some time, I'd say they'd be more likely to play for Team USA.

This article says due to contract insurance concerns with the Knicks, Amare may not play. It also explains player absences a bit more:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5392827

The 1998 lockout resulted in the US sending a team without NBA players to the World Championship that year. Not sure why 2011 would be different.

[PumpkinFunk]

Would a lockout prevent NBA players from playing in the tournament of the Americas?

It happened in 1998, where the locked-out NBA players were not allowed to play for USA Basketball, so I would think it's part of the agreement between USA Basketball and the NBA, or perhaps part of the agreement between one of those two organizations and FIBA. It's a scary prospect to think that we might have to qualify next year for the Olympics with a team of college players against foreign teams with several NBA players. Hopefully we win this year so that we don't have to worry about that.

EDIT:

Story about 1998 World Championships - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1013465/index.htm

USA Basketball didn't want NBA players who forced the lock-out in this case. I don't know whether or not they'd do the same this time around, though.

[roywhite]

It happened in 1998, where the locked-out NBA players were not allowed to play for USA Basketball, so I would think it's part of the agreement between USA Basketball and the NBA, or perhaps part of the agreement between one of those two organizations and FIBA. It's a scary prospect to think that we might have to qualify next year for the Olympics with a team of college players against foreign teams with several NBA players. Hopefully we win this year so that we don't have to worry about that.

Plenty of NBA players on other national teams. They would play but the USA guys would not?

[PumpkinFunk]

Plenty of NBA players on other national teams. They would play but the USA guys would not?

USA Basketball makes that decision of whether or not to allow the NBA players to play. The other national federations won't bar their players from playing because of an NBA lockout, but I think that USA BB might because they won't want to get in conflict with the NBA. There are already issues with NBA owners not wanting their players to play in FIBA competition, this would just make it worse.

[Billy Dat]

From Wikipedia:

"The World Championship in Athens, Greece was different from the previous teams, as none of its players were current members of NBA teams. The team was nicknamed the "Dirty Dozen" for its work ethic and teamwork. Because of a labor dispute that led to a lockout, no active NBA players were permitted to compete in the tournament. Undrafted free agent Brad Miller was the only member of the team who would go on to have a successful NBA career. Some of the other team members, including Trajan Langdon, Kiwane Garris and Michael Hawkins had brief spells in the NBA. All went on to have careers in Europe, with Langdon being named to the Euroleague's All-Decade Team for the 2000s. This unheralded team, composed largely of players from American colleges, the minor-league Continental Basketball Association or European pro leagues, captured a bronze medal, considered a solid achievement given the team's lack of top-notch talent."

I forgot Trajan was on that team.

[airowe]

Thanks for the info guys. We'll try to get some clarification on that today. Hopefully will have interviews with Kyle and Nolan and definitely will have pics on the blog.

Reminder, NBATV will be airing the first practice today starting at 3 PM EST.

[Billy Dat]

Nice Team USA intro piecfe by Chris Sheridan
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-100720

Here are his predictions to put next to ours. His classifications are a little different than ours but so it goes:

GUARDS
Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry

FORWARDS
Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallace, Lamar Odom, David Lee, Kevin Love

CENTERS
Brook Lopez

[airowe]

Little Team USA Select update:

Kyle's wearing #76 & Nolan #64, according to roster. All are in #'s above 60.

[hotbutteredseoul]

Durant is obviously THE GUY going into this tournament (and should be). On the other hand, how much fun would it be to see an all defense all the time lineup out there for the red, white, and blue in a major tournament? If we could see Robin Lopez (or Tyson Chandler), Durant, Gerald Wallace, Iguodala, and Rondo on the court together, it would be an amazing few minutes for those who think defense is a beautiful thing. This is probably not gonna happen, of course (Rondo especially seems to me like a bad fit for this team, with too much of an ego and too little of a jump shot), but it would be an interesting statement by the coaching staff to reward hustle, toughness, and a willingness to lock people down over the normal offensive highlights.

That said, I expect to see Rose and Billups in the backcourt, with Durant at the three, (hopefully) Stoudemire at the five, and, in a surprise move, Kevin Love playing power forward. I think Love's passing and rebounding will outweigh his defensive limitations for Coach K. If Amare is a no-go, I'm guessing K will probably put Brook Lopez out there to complement the half-court action with Billups and Love.

[jipops]

Nice Team USA intro piecfe by Chris Sheridan
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-100720

Here are his predictions to put next to ours. His classifications are a little different than ours but so it goes:

GUARDS
Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry

FORWARDS
Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallace, Lamar Odom, David Lee, Kevin Love

CENTERS
Brook Lopez

As was the case with the '08 team, we'll be pretty light on bigs. I think David Lee should fill in pretty nicely down low. There sure is a lot of speed listed there too.

[roywhite]

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/2kvfus

Shabazz Muhammad on the scene in Las Vegas, practicing with some of the guys(!) and checking things out.

Hey, 'Bazz, you might wanta notice how Coach K handles a team. :)

[Class of '94]

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/2kvfus

Shabazz Muhammad on the scene in Las Vegas, practicing with some of the guys(!) and checking things out.

Hey, 'Bazz, you might wanta notice how Coach K handles a team. :)

It can't hurt our cause for Shabazz to see Coach K lead team USA and be a part of of practice. I wonder if Ol Roy will call the NCAA or complain in the media that it is an unfair recruiting advantage for Coach K to allow Shabazz to practice with team USA. :)

[jdj4duke]

It can't hurt our cause for Shabazz to see Coach K lead team USA and be a part of of practice. I wonder if Ol Roy will call the NCAA or complain in the media that it is an unfair recruiting advantage for Coach K to allow Shabazz to practice with team USA. :)

It's already up on IC.

[Class of '94]

It's already up on IC.

But I'll ask it anyway.....What are they saying about this on IC?

[roywhite]

But I'll ask it anyway.....What are they saying about this on IC?

To paraphrase...it's a dead period for recruiting, no contact allowed, Coach K is cheating.

[Duvall]

To paraphrase...it's a dead period for recruiting, no contact allowed, Coach K is cheating.

That *is* troubling. Still, it might be a while before the NCAA gets around to probing this; I hear their investigators are kind of busy right now.

[Class of '94]

And we all know Coach K and his staff would make sure that they got approval from the NCAA before allowing Shabazz to watch and practice with team USA.....But go ahead and let IC complain about this....I love it....It's one more way to keep the thought of Duke dominating Carolina for years to come on their brains. :)

[COYS]

Nice Team USA intro piecfe by Chris Sheridan
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-100720

Here are his predictions to put next to ours. His classifications are a little different than ours but so it goes:

GUARDS
Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry

FORWARDS
Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallace, Lamar Odom, David Lee, Kevin Love

CENTERS
Brook Lopez

I have my concerns about the roster as it definitely doesn't ooze the talent that the Olympic team had. That being the case, I really like Sheridan's point that many of the younger NBA players actually have had a lot more of international experience than even Wade, Bryant, and James had when they were the same age. We will see how much that pays off because this team definitely doesn't have the proven NBA talent of past teams.

I definitely agree with others that Love is underrated as an asset to this team. Playing Love lots of minutes would probably force coach K to dramatically alter the style of play that he employed with the Beijing team. But Love's rebounding and passing are both excellent and he's a good shooter for a big guy who shot well from 3 land in college and could presumably recapture some of that at the international level. It might limit the classic pressure man-to-man defense that looked so pretty when Wade, Bosh, James, Bryant, and Paul/Williams were on the court, but it could still be effective. Love's size is also an asset in international play.

Of course, when was the last time we've seen Coach K alter his style of play to fit his personnel? He's so out of touch and stubborn that there's no way he discovers the right strategy for this team and takes them to an unexpected championship, right? ;)

[SilkyJ]

I strongly doubt we would be allowed to play in a tournament to determine which teams go to the Olympics if we were already qualified for the Olympics.

I think whoever we have on the team for 2012 will get some (but not a lot) of playing time together in practice and in exhibition games leading up to the tournament. It may not be ideal, but it should be enough.


I must challenge you here, Jason. How is playing a few warmup games and having a couple weeks worth of practice meaningfully different from we did in the early 2000s? That strategy fell flat on its face. Heck we even finished 3rd in Krzyzewski's first tournament in 2006 when we lost to Greece using this formula.

Moreover, when Krzyzewski started this in 2006 and re-upped in 2009 didn't he emphasize the 3 year commitment and the importance of continuity and chemistry?? Now we're saying, that doesn't matter anymore? Seems awfully arrogant (ala 2004) and I don't understand what has changed all of a sudden and I certainly don't get how people are buying into this.

We restored order in 2008 (and 2010 :D) by using the chemistry and continuity formula, and now folks seem to think well "its OK, we've got our mojo back so we can just ride our talent the next time around." That formula stopped working a long time ago. And hoping that it "should be enough" aint good enough for me.

[SilkyJ]

Nice Team USA intro piecfe by Chris Sheridan
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-100720

Here are his predictions to put next to ours. His classifications are a little different than ours but so it goes:

GUARDS
Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry

FORWARDS
Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallace, Lamar Odom, David Lee, Kevin Love

CENTERS
Brook Lopez

Wow that is REALLY guard heavy. 3 pure PGs, 2 combo guards (1 of them undersized) and Durant, who is really a forward. I can't believe he has Westbrook, Rose, and Evans all making the squad. Not only is that way too many PGs (when you consider Billups and Curry are also on the team), all 3 are TERRIBLE 3 point shooters and he lists Mayo as "superfluous" with regards to these guys. Mayo is the one thing these guys are not: a good shooter. Westbrook shot 42% from the field last year. No way he and Evans both make this team, and I'd be surprised if 2 of the 3 of Evans, Westbrook and Rose made it.

I dont see how you can have these guys on this team. They can't play together in the backcourt ala Paul and Williams, both of whom are solid-good 3pt shooters. Westbrook, Evans and Rose can't be on the court together so they've got to play alongside Billups or Curry or even Durant at SG, and given that Billups will play some PG too, that's just not enough minutes. I just don't see it.

He also cuts Rondo for poor FT shooting, which is legit, but wasn't Rondo one of the best PGs in the league last year? After those playoffs didn't he demonstrate that he is right there with Paul, Williams and Nash? And didn't Colangelo make an effort to get him to this camp? I have a hard time with that one as well.

The rest I do not have that much trouble with. I liked Granger b/c we need some shooting, but he's by no means a panacea there. I liked Igoudala's versatility, but Wallace and Gay can supply that. I will say that Granger is a better shooter than Gay and is also capable of switching b/w SF and PF so we'll see how that battle plays out.

His lineup is light on centers, but the 2008 team had only 1 true center (Howard) and 2 PF/C hybrids (Bosh and Boozer) so Lopez plus Lee and Love could work down there.

[MChambers]

It can't hurt our cause for Shabazz to see Coach K lead team USA and be a part of of practice. I wonder if Ol Roy will call the NCAA or complain in the media that it is an unfair recruiting advantage for Coach K to allow Shabazz to practice with team USA. :)

Didn't you get the memo? Coach K coaching USA basketball is bad for Duke, especially as to recruiting.

[COYS]

I must challenge you here, Jason. How is playing a few warmup games and having a couple weeks worth of practice meaningfully different from we did in the early 2000s? That strategy fell flat on its face. Heck we even finished 3rd in Krzyzewski's first tournament in 2006 when we lost to Greece using this formula.

Moreover, when Krzyzewski started this in 2006 and re-upped in 2009 didn't he emphasize the 3 year commitment and the importance of continuity and chemistry?? Now we're saying, that doesn't matter anymore? Seems awfully arrogant (ala 2004) and I don't understand what has changed all of a sudden and I certainly don't get how people are buying into this.

We restored order in 2008 (and 2010 :D) by using the chemistry and continuity formula, and now folks seem to think well "its OK, we've got our mojo back so we can just ride our talent the next time around." That formula stopped working a long time ago. And hoping that it "should be enough" aint good enough for me.

I totally agree with you, Silky. I really wish that a good portion of the top guys from 2008 were back this summer. That being said, 2006 wasn't quite a full strength roster, either. Heinrich and Johnson, two good players but by no means the cream of the crop, saw significant minutes. Some of the other guys were also much younger, with CP3 having a horrible game. If you rewind to the NBA in 2006 and take into account who the biggest stars were then, the roster has some glaring holes. No elite veteran point guards to control the floor (Jason Kidd, Billups, etc. are all absent), no Kevin Garnett or Duncan or Shaq, no Kobe to be a self-proclaimed defensive stopper. That was a talented roster, indeed, but it was not nearly as strong as the team that went to Beijing. Kobe and Deron Williams replaced Heinrich and Johnson. That alone made a huge difference.

It's definitely not ideal to have Durant and company play without any of the senior members of the team, but it's not all bad. Of the stars of the 2010 team, only Kobe is at risk of being too old to still be a factor come 2012. I think we will be bringing in only complementary players from this pool for 2012 with the possible exception of Durant, who will still probably play behind Williams/Paul, Wade, James, Anthony, Bryant, Bosh, and Howard.

[roywhite]

One of the things I like about this team's potential is the size and defensive potential of the guards. The international teams just love the pick-and-roll at the top of the key, and with more physical contact allowed than we see in the NBA.

Defending that play was an issue for Chris Paul in 2006, and even somewhat in 2008. Seems to me that Billups, Westbrook, Evans, and Rose all have the potential to defend well.

[airowe]

Interviews with Kyle and Nolan from the USA Training Camp:

http://dukehoop.blogspot.com/2010/07/kyle-singler-1-on-1-interview.html

http://dukehoop.blogspot.com/2010/07/nolan-smith-1-on-1-interview.html

[flyingdutchdevil]

Didn't you get the memo? Coach K coaching USA basketball is bad for Duke, especially as to recruiting.

Here we go again...

[jdj4duke]

But I'll ask it anyway.....What are they saying about this on IC?

There is now a second thread about it up now; comments as expected. Duke and K cheat, Duke has NCAA in the pocket, got away with Maggette, should have forfeited an entire season, got away with Collins' violation for watching Wall last year, lots of vulgar innuendo about NCAA probes, Vitale, etc.

Pretty much the level of insight and clarity usually found on IC. Those guys are really pretty pitiful (but I suppose that is my Duke arrogance shining through).

[Billy Dat]

NBATV had coverage of yesterday's first practice. What struck me was how USA Basketball has evolved under Colangelo from a scale perspective. You had 20+ pros and then the 20+ college seniors and juniors. There had to be 20 coaches plus an enormous training staff and general staff. The gym was closed to the public but there were 200 people in there, it was a hive of activity. Plus, they mentioned that the US is now the gold medal holders for U19, U18 and U17. When they say they've built a foundation, that's the kind of thing they are also referring to, in addition to the overall staff which has remained pretty fixed. It was nice to see Coach Collins running drills by himself...doesn't look like Wojo is there for this part of camp.

I hear what everyone is saying about the commitment and a regression back to arrogance, except I don't think that's what's happened. I think the lack of a USA Basketball foundation was what really needed to be fixed. The arrogance used to be exemplified by the idea that we could start throwing a team together a few months before the tournament and still win. That's how we wound up in trouble. Now, we've got an organization that's top notch and guys dying to play. These guys will always put their NBA careers first, it's how they get paid and how their legacies will be mostly defined. As a result, I understand why all the 2008s skipped this summer. That being said, because guys like Lebron, Wade and Carmelo now have 2 olympics, 1 world championship, and 1 FIBA Tournament of the Americas under their belt, I do think the foundation is there for them to win in 2012 as long as they star camp early enough that summer. We used to do about one week of practice and then a few friendlies. Now, we do 2+ weeks and a rigourous series of friendlies, plus the program gets together every summer. I think we're in great shape for 2012.

But, we won't jump too far ahead, this summer will be really tough to win as we've all been debating.

[superdave]

Wow that is REALLY guard heavy. 3 pure PGs, 2 combo guards (1 of them undersized) and Durant, who is really a forward. I can't believe he has Westbrook, Rose, and Evans all making the squad. Not only is that way too many PGs (when you consider Billups and Curry are also on the team), all 3 are TERRIBLE 3 point shooters and he lists Mayo as "superfluous" with regards to these guys. Mayo is the one thing these guys are not: a good shooter. Westbrook shot 42% from the field last year. No way he and Evans both make this team, and I'd be surprised if 2 of the 3 of Evans, Westbrook and Rose made it.

I dont see how you can have these guys on this team. They can't play together in the backcourt ala Paul and Williams, both of whom are solid-good 3pt shooters. Westbrook, Evans and Rose can't be on the court together so they've got to play alongside Billups or Curry or even Durant at SG, and given that Billups will play some PG too, that's just not enough minutes. I just don't see it.

He also cuts Rondo for poor FT shooting, which is legit, but wasn't Rondo one of the best PGs in the league last year? After those playoffs didn't he demonstrate that he is right there with Paul, Williams and Nash? And didn't Colangelo make an effort to get him to this camp? I have a hard time with that one as well.

The rest I do not have that much trouble with. I liked Granger b/c we need some shooting, but he's by no means a panacea there. I liked Igoudala's versatility, but Wallace and Gay can supply that. I will say that Granger is a better shooter than Gay and is also capable of switching b/w SF and PF so we'll see how that battle plays out.

His lineup is light on centers, but the 2008 team had only 1 true center (Howard) and 2 PF/C hybrids (Bosh and Boozer) so Lopez plus Lee and Love could work down there.

It seems like Rondo could be the type of defensive stopper that Coach K would love to ahve on this team. I could see a starting lineup of Rondo, Billups, Durant in the backcourt and Brook Lopez at center. I'm not sure who the 4 would be, maybe Love or Wallace.

Billups could be the Jason Kidd of this team. He's the oldest participant by far, right?

Also, I think Tyreke Evans wont make it. He does not seem to fit the mold because he's a gunner. Remember that Arenas did not make it two years ago.

[CDu]

It seems like Rondo could be the type of defensive stopper that Coach K would love to ahve on this team. I could see a starting lineup of Rondo, Billups, Durant in the backcourt and Brook Lopez at center. I'm not sure who the 4 would be, maybe Love or Wallace.

Billups could be the Jason Kidd of this team. He's the oldest participant by far, right?

Also, I think Tyreke Evans wont make it. He does not seem to fit the mold because he's a gunner. Remember that Arenas did not make it two years ago.

Yeah, I'd also guess that Rondo makes it over Evans. I think Billups and Curry make it as well (Billups to be a shooter and veteran leader with international experience, Curry because he can play either PG or SG and shoot the lights out). It'd be interesting to see which of Rose and Westbrook make it. I'm biased, but I hope it's Rose.

[MChambers]

Here we go again...

Your sarcasm detector must be offline. I was just kidding. I never thought it was bad for Duke.

[jipops]

Yeah, I'd also guess that Rondo makes it over Evans. I think Billups and Curry make it as well (Billups to be a shooter and veteran leader with international experience, Curry because he can play either PG or SG and shoot the lights out). It'd be interesting to see which of Rose and Westbrook make it. I'm biased, but I hope it's Rose.

mmm, I don't know, that's a tough call with Rondo. Yes, he is a terrific defender and very crafty with the ball. But the kid cannot shoot a lick from the perimeter and is equally if not more abysmal from the stripe. Throw a zone at us and the kid is almost useless offensively. Looking back at past world championship disappointments, one major weakness was the US inability to hit perimeter shots. I may be inclined to go with Rose (who granted is no perimeter force either). But like I said, it's a tough call. I'm afraid it may at times be a weakness we'll have to overcome anyways.

[SilkyJ]

Lee is out with a finger injury. Robin Lopez and Amare are out as well.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5399142

Interestingly, K said Robin would have vied for the 11th or 12th roster spot.

So with Amare, R. Lopez, and Lee out, that means B. Lopez and Love are virtual locks, and Odom and Wallace are both looking good to make it as well, and I wouldn't count out Chandler yet either.

[SilkyJ]

A great article (via ESPN) on where there US stacks up against the field. Many of us are looking towards 2012 as "what matters here," and if that's the case for you then fine, but this team is trying to win this tournament, and I'm not sure we are the favorites to do so. Neither is this guy:

http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2010/07/spain-not-team-usa-should-be-considered.html

Here's one on Durant as the face of Team USA

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-Durant-100721

[ChicagoCrazy84]

A great article (via ESPN) on where there US stacks up against the field. Many of us are looking towards 2012 as "what matters here," and if that's the case for you then fine, but this team is trying to win this tournament, and I'm not sure we are the favorites to do so. Neither is this guy:

http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2010/07/spain-not-team-usa-should-be-considered.html

Here's one on Durant as the face of Team USA

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-Durant-100721


Yeah, you look at that roster and there's just not the impressiveness. I love all those guys and they're great players, but none of them have fully established themselves quite yet (with the exception of Durant). It is true what the first writer said, we are lucky that a lot of the reat international players are skipping this one.

Oh, and IMO, Granger should be on the team. I'd rather have him than Wallace.

[MisterRoddy]

Yeah, you look at that roster and there's just not the impressiveness. I love all those guys and they're great players, but none of them have fully established themselves quite yet (with the exception of Durant). It is true what the first writer said, we are lucky that a lot of the reat international players are skipping this one.

Oh, and IMO, Granger should be on the team. I'd rather have him than Wallace.

I believe the idea is that by the time the summer of 2012 roles around, many players such as Steph Curry, Brooke Lopez, and Tyreke Evans will be established stars in the NBA and the roster will look much more star studded then as opposed to now.

[jipops]

Lee is out with a finger injury. Robin Lopez and Amare are out as well.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5399142

Interestingly, K said Robin would have vied for the 11th or 12th roster spot.

So with Amare, R. Lopez, and Lee out, that means B. Lopez and Love are virtual locks, and Odom and Wallace are both looking good to make it as well, and I wouldn't count out Chandler yet either.

So now we're looking at having limited perimeter shooting to go with little size underneath. Based on team personnel, USA doesn't look at all to be the favorite here.

Oh well, we should still be able to put a ton of speed out on the floor.

[PumpkinFunk]

So now we're looking at having limited perimeter shooting to go with little size underneath. Based on team personnel, USA doesn't look at all to be the favorite here.

Oh well, we should still be able to put a ton of speed out on the floor.

And defense. Though I will say, I don't think Rondo will make the team, even with Coach K's emphasis on speed and defense. His inability to consistently shoot the 3-ball makes him a tough guy to put on the court, even with his defensive skills. Steph Curry and Chauncey Billups both bring the extra shooting ability to the table. Even Kevin Love, who is probably a lock to make it with our lack of big men, is enough of a threat from behind the arc that he has to be defended out there, but Rondo doesn't really need that kind of defending on him back there.

[superdave]

So now we're looking at having limited perimeter shooting to go with little size underneath. Based on team personnel, USA doesn't look at all to be the favorite here.

Oh well, we should still be able to put a ton of speed out on the floor.

Curry, Durant and Billups are all world-class 3-point shooters. Size is an issue though. I'm not sure any of the remaining big guys could carry the team for stretches against the top 3-4 teams.

Durant could wind up averaging 30.

[sagegrouse]

Is Team USA 2010 as good as the US Olympic Team 2008? There is ONE member of the All-NBA team (first, second, and third) in camp in LV now. There were SEVEN members of this year's All NBA team on the Olympic team.

THe member in camp is Kevin Durant (first team). The Olympic team members who were All NBA this year were Kobe, Lebron, Dwyane, and Howard (first team); Deron Williams, Amare, and Carmelo (second team).

Winning this year will be a GREAT accomplishment with a lot of younger players on the team.

sagegrouse
'Surely someone else has posted this, but I didn't find it'

[Billy Dat]

Winning this year will be a GREAT accomplishment with a lot of younger players on the team.


I couldn't agree more. I have argued for some time that it is great that we have gotten to the point where even a well organized, determined, respectful team of USA star players isn't a gimme to win an international competition. The Gold Medal game in 2008 proved this. We had the best of the best, and they had been playing together for months/years, yet with 3 minutes left in that game, we were only up 3. Part of that had to do with that fact that Spain had 8 NBA players of their own.

This summer will be a huge challenge for the whole program. As a Duke fan, I know that K thrives on challenge so this summer will continue to keep him sharp.

I think the toughest thing about international ball is, actually, defense. While the NBA has become much more of a drive and kick game, that's the all international game is, to the point that guys with a clear lane to the cup kick out anyway. That is counterintuitive to FIBA-inexperienced defenders who instinctively guard the lane and rim and and results in tons of open 3s, which we know get knocked down at a healthy clip. NBA guys also aren't used to the clutching, grabbing and dragging allowed on pick and rolls. Everyone says the 1/2 dribble pull up is a lost art in the NBA. The internationals are also great at those runners in the lane. Defending Nolan this week should give them great practice at stopping this lost art (Aside - how great is Nolan going to be as a senior?!?!)

On thing about Rondo, the kid is a winner and is tough as nails. I'd love to see him on the team for those intangibles alone.

[Billy Dat]

Spain just announced their preliminary 15:
Carlos Suarez, Fernando San Emeterio, Rafa Martinez, Pablo Aguilar, Fran Vazquez, Sergio Llull, Víctor Claver, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Alex Mumbru, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro.

Game ON!

We play an exhibition against them in Spain in about a month. We are going to have our hands full.

[SilkyJ]

Spain just announced their preliminary 15:
Carlos Suarez, Fernando San Emeterio, Rafa Martinez, Pablo Aguilar, Fran Vazquez, Sergio Llull, Víctor Claver, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Alex Mumbru, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro.

Game ON!

We play an exhibition against them in Spain in about a month. We are going to have our hands full.

Clearly a lot of great guards on that team. Less sure about their big men. Hmm, sounds familiar....

Should be a good game!

[PumpkinFunk]

Spain just announced their preliminary 15:
Carlos Suarez, Fernando San Emeterio, Rafa Martinez, Pablo Aguilar, Fran Vazquez, Sergio Llull, Víctor Claver, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Alex Mumbru, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro.

Game ON!

We play an exhibition against them in Spain in about a month. We are going to have our hands full.

Sounds like it's gonna be a very good challenge. And, of course, Argentina, Greece, and Brazil are all gonna be tough outs come time for the tourney. That exhibition in Spain is gonna be the big eye-opener with regards to our ability to really win this thing. We're gonna be in much more hostile territory than we were in Beijing (even compared to the game against China there) and how the team responds to that will be key.

[DevilHorns]

Spain just announced their preliminary 15:
Carlos Suarez, Fernando San Emeterio, Rafa Martinez, Pablo Aguilar, Fran Vazquez, Sergio Llull, Víctor Claver, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Alex Mumbru, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Felipe Reyes, Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro.

Game ON!

We play an exhibition against them in Spain in about a month. We are going to have our hands full.

I'm just glad Pau Gasol is not on that list.

I'm kind of surprised that Kobe, Lebron, and Wade decided not to enter in. It honestly irks me. I understand that Kobe is likely exhausted from a long championship run, but come on Wade and Lebron! I'm guessing they show up for the Olympics since it's a bigger tournament. I wonder how K will handle that.

[PumpkinFunk]

I'm just glad Pau Gasol is not on that list.

I'm kind of surprised that Kobe, Lebron, and Wade decided not to enter in. It honestly irks me. I understand that Kobe is likely exhausted from a long championship run, but come on Wade and Lebron! I'm guessing they show up for the Olympics since it's a bigger tournament. I wonder how K will handle that.

I think Kobe might be done with USA Basketball. When you take a look at the beating that his body took this year, you'll realize that's why he's not playing this summer - he had a broken finger on his shooting hand for half of the season. I have to think that 2 years down the road, he's going to be in bad shape, too. We need a guy to step up and fill his shoes, though. He wasn't necessarily the leader in the way that Jason Kidd was, where he was well-liked and well-respected by everyone, but you knew that with Kobe on the team, someone in the huddle at the end of a close game was going to take over. I don't know who will fill those shoes this summer and beyond when we get into the inevitable close game. LeBron doesn't have that killer instinct. DWade didn't show it last summer. Durant? Maybe.

[SilkyJ]

I think Kobe might be done with USA Basketball. When you take a look at the beating that his body took this year, you'll realize that's why he's not playing this summer - he had a broken finger on his shooting hand for half of the season. I have to think that 2 years down the road, he's going to be in bad shape, too. We need a guy to step up and fill his shoes, though. He wasn't necessarily the leader in the way that Jason Kidd was, where he was well-liked and well-respected by everyone, but you knew that with Kobe on the team, someone in the huddle at the end of a close game was going to take over. I don't know who will fill those shoes this summer and beyond when we get into the inevitable close game. LeBron doesn't have that killer instinct. DWade didn't show it last summer. Durant? Maybe.

Re: Kobe, I can definitely see you being right. I think he made his commitment to come back like the other '08 guys, but come summer 2012 he may change his mind with all those added miles (2 more seasons of 90+ games, potentially)

Re: "a closer" I think between Melo, Durant, and Dwade we'll have some guys with pretty good killer instincts (not to mention Lebron). Not quite Kobe's pedigree, but still pretty darn good closers. Take a look at this article from 2009 profiling Melo's performance as a closer. He's one of the best.

http://dimemag.com/2009/02/the-best-clutch-player-in-the-game-today/

[sleepybear]

USA Team scrimmage on ESPN now. 11:39pm Sat

[Billy Dat]

Watching the Team USA intrasquad game, it struck me that this is like the teams of old where everyone was 22 and under. With a few exceptions, this team will be dominated by guys of traditional college age. As a result, it will sort of be a throwback.

If you've been following the mini-camp, K keeps using the word "unconventional" and that sure seems to be the case. I know everyone is wringing their hands that Team USA is going to live and die by the three, mostly because we have little internal offensive firepower. But, the "Redeem Team" has the same issue...Howard and Bosh weren't scorers on that team. We scored most of our points from 3, in transition, or on drives. This team will be no different.

Rose was amazing on Saturday, clearly the best guard. I always forget how fast Westbrook is. Mayo was really playing hard, you can tell he wants to be on the team. Rondo didn't look great, but I don't think you can overlook his toughness and experience. That kid has played in 2 of the last 3 NBA finals. Aside from Billups and Odom, no one else on this team has played in those kind of big games.

Another guy who looks ready to become a star is JaVale McGee of the Wizards. He is still really raw, but he has crazy skills for a 7 footer. Chandler looks a lot better than people anticipated.

Here was my original prediction:

Billups, Rondo, Rose, Curry
Durant, Gay, Odom, Granger
Amare, Lopez, Love, Lee

Considering we lost Amare and Lee, I will swap in Chandler. Based on the comments of the coaching staff and reporters who were at the camp, I will swap Iguodala for Granger. I also think Westbrook may make it over Rondo. That leaves me one spot to fill and I can't decide between Greene, Mayo and McGee. If you pressed me, I'd say it was going to be McGee because we may need the size.

[superdave]

Considering we lost Amare and Lee, I will swap in Chandler. Based on the comments of the coaching staff and reporters who were at the camp, I will swap Iguodala for Granger. I also think Westbrook may make it over Rondo. That leaves me one spot to fill and I can't decide between Greene, Mayo and McGee. If you pressed me, I'd say it was going to be McGee because we may need the size.

Seems like Tyson Chandler would be the defender and selfless guy that would thrive on a Coach K team. With Love, Chandler and Brook Lopez, would we need McGee?

Also, Westbrook over Rondo? Any explanation why? I would think the opposite because Rondo is an amazing defender, can drive the lane and has big game experience.

[Billy Dat]

Based on what I saw and read, Westbrook tore it up all week, was viewed as Rondo's equal on defense, and is 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Rondo meaning he can slide to the 2 and defend those 2 guards where Rondo is a pure 1. They both are pretty poor shooters, but Westbrook goes 80% from the line and Rondo has a career 60%-65% I honestly could not get over how fast that kid is, he may be the fastest/quickest guy in the NBA, which means, maybe, the world (yes, I ate my bowl of hyperbole for breakfast, I should be back to neutral by lunch...and maybe Usain Bolt would have something to say about my statement).

I really love Rondo for all the reasons I've stated and I really think we need him on the team. But, based on what I am reading, I think Westbrook is more of a lock.

[JasonEvans]

Where did Javale McGee come from to suddenly be a player to make this team?!?!? We are talking about a guy who barely averaged 15 minutes per game for the lowly Wiz the past 2 seasons. It is not like his stats have been fabulous in either of those seasons, either.

Why is this guy in camp ahead of many other NBA big men who would appear to be better players? What about Chris Kamen or Troy Murphy or Brendan Haywood? Heck, what about Udonis Haslem or LaMarcus Aldridge? For that matter, can anyone explain why this team would not want Josh Smith to be jumping out of the building for them at PF? Are Al Jefferson and Zach Randolph too much head cases for K to even want to look at them?

I don't understand why we have such a crunch at big man. It makes no sense to me. I get that the guys from 2008 needed a summer off. I get that Amare and David Lee had to leave for various reasons. But why did we drop down to McGee instead of at least 10-15 top tier American big men who we could have brought to camp and who would have made the team much stronger.

Can anyone explain this to me? I mean, Josh Smith and LaMarcus Aldridge are going to be in the neighborhood of being NBA all-stars for the next decade, right?

-Jason "I love the perimeter guys-- Durant is gonna be ridiculous on this team" Evans

[PumpkinFunk]

Chris Kaman is ineligible to play for the USA, since he's played for the German national team. I'm guessing K tried to get out to the other guys and had no success, but also, McGee came on strong at the end of the season (albeit on a horrific team) and was playing very well in Summer League. I don't think he'll make the final cut, but he's a body for practice, at least for now, and he's an insurance policy in case mono ravages Brook Lopez even more.

[Billy Dat]

I think that you'll find that with most of the names you mentioned, they declined invites for one reason or another, usually due to injury. I know that is the case with Jefferson and Aldridge who have both been part of the USA program in the past few years. Kaman can't play for Team USA because I think he was playing with the German National Team. In the case of ZBo, I think he's considered too much of a bad seed, what with his recent implication in that Indianapolis drug ring.

McGee was brought in after Amare, Lee and Lopez went down on Day 1. He had a stellar summer league and had played with the Select Team last year.

With the bigs, it was just a perfect storm that sapped the depth chart.

[SilkyJ]

Can anyone explain this to me? I mean, Josh Smith and LaMarcus Aldridge are going to be in the neighborhood of being NBA all-stars for the next decade, right?

-Jason "I love the perimeter guys-- Durant is gonna be ridiculous on this team" Evans

Aldridge is on the broader roster for 2010-2012 (http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/201012MNTroster.html). Not sure why he's not at this camp, I'm guessing its for a decent reason.

He and J-Smith would definitely benefit this team. I know Josh used to have some issues with coach-ability/immaturity/etc., but its my understanding that he has come around in the past couple years so not sure if the issue is K&Co. not approaching him or him not being interested. Its totally possible that he was asked but said no. Rondo, for example, was approached but wasn't really interested at first.

[Duvall]

Aldridge is on the broader roster for 2010-2012 (http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/201012MNTroster.html). Not sure why he's not at this camp, I'm guessing its for a decent reason.

Apparently not (http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2010/07/trail_blazers_forward_lamarcus.html).


Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge has dropped out of next week's Team USA training camp here, and any Olympic hopes he might have for 2012 have been severely damaged.


"He just decided that he didn't want to do it,'' USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a phone interview Wednesday morning with FanHouse. "He's not going to come.''


With Aldridge not giving what appears to be a satisfactory reason for not wanting to be part of this summer's World Championships team, Colangelo said his chances of remaining on the roster for the 2012 Olympics are affected.


"It's not a positive in this case,'' said Colangelo, later adding that you still "never close the door.''

[SilkyJ]

Interesting and odd that they still list him on the broader roster on the USA basketball website.

Not everyone is riding the USA basketball fever right now and I certainly don't hold it against them. Some guys really value their off-season time.

[JasonEvans]

Team USA is likely to make its first cuts very soon, perhaps today, as it gets down to 15 players who will go to the next training camp. currently, there are 19 guys on the roster.

Here is an article from CBS Sportsline (http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/23434099?tag=headlines;other)that breaks down guys by locks, almost locks, looking good, maybe, and then the 4 he expects to get cut. The author expects Gordon, Evans, McGee, and Mayo to get cut. We'll see.

-Jason "the perimeter talent on this team is sick" Evans

[roywhite]

Team USA is likely to make its first cuts very soon, perhaps today, as it gets down to 15 players who will go to the next training camp. currently, there are 19 guys on the roster.

Here is an article from CBS Sportsline (http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/23434099?tag=headlines;other)that breaks down guys by locks, almost locks, looking good, maybe, and then the 4 he expects to get cut. The author expects Gordon, Evans, McGee, and Mayo to get cut. We'll see.

-Jason "the perimeter talent on this team is sick" Evans

I've lost track of the time line here.

The World Championships don't begin until August 28th, I believe.

Do these guys stay together the next month or get some kind of break before competition begins?

[Billy Dat]

They went on break starting Sunday and re-form in NYC August 9th. This is the final break, they'll be together, hopfully, through the World Championships gold medal game on 9/12.

[roywhite]

They went on break starting Sunday and re-form in NYC August 9th. This is the final break, they'll be together, hopfully, through the World Championships gold medal game on 9/12.

Thanks, Billy.

After watching some of the practice sessions on NBA TV and watching a good part of the Blue/White scrimmage, I'm reasonably optimistic about the USA chances for gold here.

Durant and Rose may be the two best players in the tournament.

[Duvall]

They went on break starting Sunday and re-form in NYC August 9th. This is the final break, they'll be together, hopfully, through the World Championships gold medal game on 9/12.

Training schedule (http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/10_mnt_trainingschd.html).

[Big Pappa]

After watching some of the practice sessions on NBA TV and watching a good part of the Blue/White scrimmage, I'm reasonably optimistic about the USA chances for gold here.

Durant and Rose may be the two best players in the tournament.

It will certainly not be an easy road, especially with the talent drop off from the team two years ago. But, Coach K is obviously good at putting "no talent" guys together to win. I agree about Durant, he will be the face of the team and the best player on the floor in any and every game.

[sagegrouse]

Thanks, Billy.

After watching some of the practice sessions on NBA TV and watching a good part of the Blue/White scrimmage, I'm reasonably optimistic about the USA chances for gold here.

Durant and Rose may be the two best players in the tournament.

To me, the B-W game looked like an All-Star game or an AAU contest. I am sure that K and the staff were looking for talent and enthusiasm -- and found what they were looking for. But I think he will have to mold a team from scratch. The Redeem Team didn't win the Worlds in its first year together. It will be a heckuva an accomplishment for this Team USA to win. Go USA!!

sagegrouse

[airowe]

USA Team Finalists will be announced in a teleconference tomorrow from 3-3:30 ET.

[diveonthefloor]

They went on break starting Sunday and re-form in NYC August 9th. This is the final break, they'll be together, hopfully, through the World Championships gold medal game on 9/12.

Ran into Rudy Gay at my gym tonight. He seemed like he is in a good mood. As a Grizzlies fan (who still can't forgive West for trading Battier in return for Gay), I am praying that Gay makes the team so K's defensive instincts/philosophy might rub off on Rudy. To this point in his career, Rudy is "half a player." He would be a great player if he learned how to play defense.

[Billy Dat]

Ran into Rudy Gay at my gym tonight. He seemed like he is in a good mood. As a Grizzlies fan (who still can't forgive West for trading Battier in return for Gay), I am praying that Gay makes the team so K's defensive instincts/philosophy might rub off on Rudy. To this point in his career, Rudy is "half a player." He would be a great player if he learned how to play defense.

I think Gay is a lock to be on the team, and I think, like seemingly everyone else who gets involved with Team USA, he will improve in the ways you describe. To me, that's one of the big Team USA lures, that these guys go back to the NBA with such expanded games and confidence.

[Billy Dat]

They just announced the trimmed roster:

Chauncey Billups; Tyson Chandler; Stephen Curry; Kevin Durant; Rudy Gay; Eric Gordon; Danny Granger; Jeff Green; Andre Iguodala; Brook Lopez; Kevin Love; Lamar Odom; Rajon Rondo; Derrick Rose; and Russell Westbrook

Looks like Tyreke Evans, OJ Mayo, Gerald Wallace and JaVale McGee got cut. Still 3 more cuts to go before the Worlds.

[Billy Dat]

Sheridan's take on the cuts:
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/18634/observations-on-team-usa-cuts

[superdave]

They just announced the trimmed roster:

Chauncey Billups; Tyson Chandler; Stephen Curry; Kevin Durant; Rudy Gay; Eric Gordon; Danny Granger; Jeff Green; Andre Iguodala; Brook Lopez; Kevin Love; Lamar Odom; Rajon Rondo; Derrick Rose; and Russell Westbrook

Looks like Tyreke Evans, OJ Mayo, Gerald Wallace and JaVale McGee got cut. Still 3 more cuts to go before the Worlds.

Hmmmm. Seems like we drop one of Westbrook/Rondo and two of Gay/Green/Igoudala/Granger.

Who is the better shooter of Rondo and Westbrook? I think Rondo is a better defender and has more experience.

As for the SFs, Granger is the best scorer, Igoudala is the best defender, Gay may be the best athlete and Green the most capable of sliding up and playing the 4.

[superdave]

Sheridan's take on the cuts:
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/18634/observations-on-team-usa-cuts

Sheridan predicts Green, Granger, Gordon will be cut.

[Big Pappa]

Sheridan's take on the cuts:
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/18634/observations-on-team-usa-cuts

Agree about Green and Gordon but I really don't think Granger will/should get cut. Outside of Durant he is the best offensive player on the team.

[greybeard]

Sheridan predicts Green, Granger, Gordon will be cut.

Sheridan didn't watch Green tear up Shelden; K did. More seriously, Green is a great passer of the ball and he knows what Durrant needs and wants, and when. I think he sticks, if, and this I do not have an answer for, K thinks that Green will be a real plus on defense and the boards. I say Iggy goes before Green. I also think Granger's shooting is necessary. Somehow, keeping Rondo, Rose, and Billips does not compute for me. I think one of them goes. Billips will be awfully old by the time of the next Olypimics. Were it not for that, I'd say he'd be the last of the three. Now, I think he is the first. I think Green and Granger stay and Chauncey and Iggy go.

[Billy Dat]

Everything K has been saying to date reflects the notion that Iguodala and Billups are locks, Billups for his seniority and leadership and Iguodala for his all around game. Colangelo seems kind of angry that Lopez didn't tell them that he had mono and, despite being one of the few available bigs, his spot seems tenuous, although I can't believe they'd cut him.

The thing with shooting is that its the international 3 distance, most of the guys on the team can hit that shot.

Barring injury, I think Sheridan's prediction will be on the money.

[Greg_Newton]

I like the pattern of these cuts. They're leading to a team with a stable of ultra-quick, athletic guards, big, athletic post men, and a versatile, stud scorer on the wing. Sound familiar?

I think this will not only be an effective team in international play, it will give K a nice warm-up for Duke's change-of-pace next season. He'll get a chance to see what works in that style and try a few tweaks, which is exciting.

[roywhite]

Everything K has been saying to date reflects the notion that Iguodala and Billups are locks, Billups for his seniority and leadership and Iguodala for his all around game. Colangelo seems kind of angry that Lopez didn't tell them that he had mono and, despite being one of the few available bigs, his spot seems tenuous, although I can't believe they'd cut him.

The thing with shooting is that its the international 3 distance, most of the guys on the team can hit that shot.

Barring injury, I think Sheridan's prediction will be on the money.

Just a note:
The FIBA 3-pt line is moving back in October, after the World Champioships.
It's now 20ft 6in and will go to 22ft 2in

May affect the team composition and style for the Olympics.

[Indoor66]

When does the trapezoid lane change to the NBA lane?

[roywhite]

When does the trapezoid lane change to the NBA lane?

Should have added info in the note---changes at the same time, October, 2010 after the World Championships.

Info from wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_court)


On April 26, 2008, FIBA announced several major rules changes involving the court markings. These changes will take effect for major international competitions on October 1, 2010, after that year's World Championships for men and women, and become mandatory for other competitions on October 1, 2012 (although national federations can adopt the new markings before 2012). The changes will be:[5]

* The shape of the key will change from a trapezoid to a rectangle as it is in the NBA, with NBA dimensions.
* The three-point line will move back to 6.75 metres (22 ft 1.7 in) from the current 6.25 metres (20 ft 6.1 in), compared to 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) for the NBA at the top of the arc.
* FIBA will adopt the NBA's restricted area arc with a marginally wider radius of 1.25 metres (4 ft 1.2 in).

[Billy Dat]

These FIBA rule changes, intended to move toward unifying the sport under one set of guidelines, really surprise me. I wonder why this movement happened now? Is it the increasing % of the best ex-US players playing in the NBA? Is it the US' recent rededication to the international game? I enjoy the quirks of FIBA rules, and think its an interesting "handicap" for our US teams to deal with. Oh well...

I wonder how much of an adjustment the further 3 point line will be for international teams?

[SilkyJ]

Had a little time on this foggy Friday (in SF...its always foggy), so thought I'd do a comparison of the predictions that were made AFTER the announcement of the 22 man roster for training camp versus what transpired (ok it was only mine and Billy Dat's, but I wanted to do this anyway!) and also compared to ESPN's USA bball expert, Chris Sheridan.

First, let's remember that Amar'e and Lee had to remove themselves due to a contract issue and injury, respectively. In addition, Gerald Wallace, Javale Mcgee, OJ Mayo, and Tyreke Evans were cut (Tyreke had an injury as well).

Finally, remember that despite saying they would cut the list to 12, this is a 15-man roster, and all of our predictions were based on a 12 man roster, so by nature we're going to be missing a few people.

So on the 15-man roster we have:

Guards
Chauncey Billups
Stephen Curry
Eric Gordon
Rajon Rondo
Derrick Rose
Russell Westbrook

Wings
Kevin Durant
Rudy Gay
Danny Granger
Jeff Green
Andre Iguodala
Lamar Odom

Posts
Tyson Chandler
Brook Lopez
Kevin Love


Sheridan's prediction:
GUARDS
Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry
Missing: Gordon, Rondo

FORWARDS
Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallace, Lamar Odom, David Lee, Kevin Love
Missing: Andre Iguodala, Danny Granger, Jeff Green

CENTERS
Brook Lopez
Missing: Tyson Chandler

9 out 12.

All-in-all, a solid job by Sheridan. He left out Rondo with the Guards, but was hte only guy who liked Westbrook enough to put him in there. Tyreke basically missed the cut b/c off an injury so he gets a pass there and from all accounts Gordon seems to be the most on the bubble from this group.

Where I won't excuse him is in leaving Andre Iguodala off the list. He seemed like a no-brainer to make this squad and play lots of minutes with his athleticism and versatility. Same with Tyson Chandler. He has played for the team before and built up significant equity and for a team lacking in centers, he seems like a lock to start. Furthermore, Sheridan made this prediction knowing Amar'e was likely to not be available, which makes it even more surprising to me.

Sheridan's predictions for final cuts: Gordon, Green and Granger.


SilkyJ's prediction:

Guards
Rondo, Billups, Curry
Runner-up: Rose.
Missing: Westbrook, Gordon

Wings
Durant, Granger, Mayo, Iguodala, Odom, Gerald Wallace
In contention: Rudy Gay.
Missing: Jeff Green

Posts
Amar'e, Chandler, Brook Lopez.
Runner-up: David Lee.
Sleeper: Kevin Love.


9 out 12. (selfishly, I'd like to give myself a bump though to 10 since Amare and Lee went out and I had Love as my sleeper :)...and Sheridan had the benefit of knowing Amar'e would be out).

I think I did a pretty solid job, though it sounds like leaving Westbrook off the list was a mistake. Everyone seemed to be very high on him after the camp. I still think you take Billups and Rose as well as Rondo and if you do that you have 3 PGs with no need for Westbrook. He can't shoot and while he's fast and athletic, so is Rondo and Rondo is an elite PG right now whereas Westbrook is still an up-and-comer. Rondo is also an excellent rebounder.

I did well with the post guys, but bricked with my pick of Mayo over Gay. From all accounts Gay has been superb both last summer (or was it 2 summers ago?) and this summer. He will play major minutes. I thought Mayo would be useful b/c of his 3pt shooting, but oh well.

Silkyj's predictions for final cuts: Gordon, Westbrook, Green.


Billy Dat:

Guards
Billups, Rondo, Rose, Curry
Missing: Westbrook, Gordon

Wings
Durant, Gay, Odom, Granger
Missing: Iguodala, Green

Posts
Amare, Lopez, Love, Lee
Missing: Chandler

Up front, I am going size (Lopez), rebounding (Lee) and the guy who is most like an international big (Love). Chandler's equity with the team may bump him up, though. If so, I think it's over Lee.


10 out of 12. (And If you had known that Amare and Lee would be out for various reasons, could have been higher! Well done sir!)

Similar story here, no love for Westbrook and Gordon just like the rest of us, and while you missed on Chandler, you did mention him as a guy you could see moving up.

Missed Iguodala like Sheridan, which I don't get. I think he'll be a key contributor for this team and think he'll be the first wing player in off the bench. None of us had Green, but I think most expect he'll be cut.

Bill Dat's predictions for final cuts: ????

[Billy Dat]

Nice work, Silky. It does look like, barring injury, Green Gordon and Granger will be the last 3 cuts. I thought Granger and Iguodala were equivalent types of players and that Granger was better. What I failed to research was how much equity they had each built up in the USA Basketbal program and Iguodala has that angle wrapped up. I also missed Chandler as I thought his injuries would have slowed him, and I thought Amare would make him redundant

It should be a fun month watching these guys try and take home the gold. The exhibitions are going to be brutal, true road games in Spain and Greece.

[SilkyJ]

Nice work, Silky. It does look like, barring injury, Green Gordon and Granger will be the last 3 cuts. I thought Granger and Iguodala were equivalent types of players and that Granger was better. What I failed to research was how much equity they had each built up in the USA Basketbal program and Iguodala has that angle wrapped up. I also missed Chandler as I thought his injuries would have slowed him, and I thought Amare would make him redundant

It should be a fun month watching these guys try and take home the gold. The exhibitions are going to be brutal, true road games in Spain and Greece.

The thought seems to be that it will be Green, Gordon and Granger (what's with the "G's" getting no love??) but I don't understand the need to keep Westbrook if you already have billups, rose and rondo to chew up minutes at the PG spot. Not that Westbrook couldn't be used effectively, but it just seems unnecessary with all the PGs already on the team, and it also seems that his spot could be used to fill a specific need for the team, namely size or shooting. In this case, it would be Granger's shooting, and while he isn't exactly a lights out 3pt shooter, he's a pretty good one with an excellent mid-range jumpshot, which is what the international 3 point line amounts to.

In the interest of discussion, let me pick at 2 things you just said:

"I thought Granger and Iguodala were equivalent types of players and that Granger was better. What I failed to research was how much equity they had each built up in the USA Basketbal program and Iguodala has that angle wrapped up."

I think what is also giving Iguodala an edge is his defense. Iggie is known as a very good defender and will likely guard the other team's best wing player when he is in the game. Under the right circumstances, he could also guard a slower PG or a smaller PF. In my mind, that is part of what made him a shoe-in for this team.

"I also missed Chandler as I thought his injuries would have slowed him, and I thought Amare would make him redundant"

Fair enough on Chandler's injuries; I think a lot of folks are surprised that he has recovered so quickly. But I don't see him as redundant with Amar'e. Amar'e if a PF who b/c of his athleticism can play Center, but not all that well, would be a significant scoring threat for this team, and isn't much of a post-defender.

Chandler is a pure Center whose role will be to rebound and defend, and very little will be asked of him in the way of scoring, other than slamming home some alley-oops.

Just my 2 cents, but I saw them as very complementary, not redundant.

[silverbax]

I'm just not sure how well this team will do. I hope they can pull it together, but right now they seem disjointed.

[roywhite]

This is nice to see. Noticed this info in a column that also mentioned Greg Paulus getting a coach job at Navy (http://community.foxsports.com/goodmanonfox/blog/2010/08/02/paulus_joins_coaching_ranks;_10_college_guys_heade d_to_nyc).

From Jeff Goodman:


Ten members of the USA Basketball Select squad that trained against the USA National Team in Las Vegas will continue to train against the World Championship team finalists in New York City.

Here’s the list of those who will go to NYC from Aug. 9-13:

JaJuan Johnson
Jon Leuer
Shelvin Mack
Kyle Singler
Chris Singleton
Nolan Smith
Howard “Trey” Thompkins
Mike Tisdale
Kemba Walker
Chris Wright


Great experience for Kyle and Nolan.

[SilkyJ]

I'm just not sure how well this team will do. I hope they can pull it together, but right now they seem disjointed.

What makes you think they are disjointed? Guys like Rose, Durant, Billups, Chandler, Iguodala, Curry, and Gay have been at training camps as part of the "select team" for at least a summer or two (more in some cases). Billups and Chandler have been part of USA basketball going back to Coach K's original 2006-2008 tenure, with both making at least one final 12-man roster for one of the 3 summer tournaments we played in. Durant was also at training camp and almost made the final 12-man roster for the Olympics back in 2008.

This team has its shortcomings: youth and size, namely, but being disjointed doesn't seem to be one of them in my estimation, unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean by disjointed.

[Big Pappa]

I'm just not sure how well this team will do. I hope they can pull it together, but right now they seem disjointed.

I disagree that they are disjointed. They seem to have good chemistry and are obviously very well coached. The only knock on this team is skill level in comparison to past squads. On K's interview on PTI he said that all of the guys that were on the team in 08' (except Redd and Kidd) are still available for the Olympic team in 12'. Who are the guys expected to play from the 08' team and who will stay from this team?

[SilkyJ]

Who are the guys expected to play from the 08' team and who will stay from this team?

Other than Durant, I'd say no one is a lock and obviously its all dependent on who chooses to return from the '08 squad, which is the big question that no one seems to be able to answer.

I was hoping that during coverage of training camp we would get some more color on the reasons for why everyone from the '08 team was a no show in 2010. I know I'm repeating myself, but given the emphasis on chemistry and cohesion and the "requirement" of a 3-year commitment in some form I really would like to understand what we should expect moving forward.

Are those guys that re-upped for 2010-2012 truly on board for the 2012 Olympics? Was this summer intended (by Jerry C. & Co.) to be an opportunity to develop some of the up-and-comers or did the vets from '08 just want the summer off to deal with free-agency and health recovery? Will we be playing in the summer of 2011 and will those guys be there?

Questions abound! Answers nowhere to be found...

[MisterRoddy]

This is nice to see. Noticed this info in a column that also mentioned Greg Paulus getting a coach job at Navy ("").

From Jeff Goodman:



Great experience for Kyle and Nolan.

Is this the same as the US Select Team because I remember Zeller (I think) being on that squad. Were there cuts or is it a different teams?

[Duvall]

Is this the same as the US Select Team because I remember Zeller (I think) being on that squad. Were there cuts or is it a different teams?

Cuts. The New York squad has ten players from the Select Team that went to Vegas, although there's no way to know which of the players that aren't going to New York had to bow out due to conflicts. Pretty sure North Carolina is practicing now for its Bahamas junket.

[Class of '94]

Other than Durant, I'd say no one is a lock and obviously its all dependent on who chooses to return from the '08 squad, which is the big question that no one seems to be able to answer.

I was hoping that during coverage of training camp we would get some more color on the reasons for why everyone from the '08 team was a no show in 2010. I know I'm repeating myself, but given the emphasis on chemistry and cohesion and the "requirement" of a 3-year commitment in some form I really would like to understand what we should expect moving forward.

Are those guys that re-upped for 2010-2012 truly on board for the 2012 Olympics? Was this summer intended (by Jerry C. & Co.) to be an opportunity to develop some of the up-and-comers or did the vets from '08 just want the summer off to deal with free-agency and health recovery? Will we be playing in the summer of 2011 and will those guys be there?

Questions abound! Answers nowhere to be found...

I question the fairness of potentially dropping many of these players who have sacrificed their summer for the World Championships for any of the players from 2008 for the 2012 team. Personally, I don't think it's right; I think USA basketball should focus on choosing players from the pool that participated in the tryouts for the Worlds and drop all of the 2008 members that failed to tryout for the Worlds. I know we may not win the Olympics if we did that but I think rewards the players who sacrificed this summer.

[roywhite]

I question the fairness of potentially dropping many of these players who have sacrificed their summer for the World Championships for any of the players from 2008 for the 2012 team. Personally, I don't think it's right; I think USA basketball should focus on choosing players from the pool that participated in the tryouts for the Worlds and drop all of the 2008 members that failed to tryout for the Worlds. I know we may not win the Olympics if we did that but I think rewards the players who sacrificed this summer.

I think you have a good point.

Just a guess at this point, but I think the 2012 team will have more than half of its roster made up of non-2008 Redeem team members.

One thing I'm pretty sure about---the decision making process on the Olympic team makeup is in good hands with Jerry Colangelo, Mike Krzyzewski, and Mike's staff.

[-jk]

I think the members who sacrifice their summers may well get a return beyond simply playing for the Olympic team. I suspect there may be a net gain in basketball and overall sportsmanship skills that transcends a single tourney.

Or at least - knowing K - I hope members can find value.

-jk

[SilkyJ]

I think the members who sacrifice their summers may well get a return beyond simply playing for the Olympic team. I suspect there may be a net gain in basketball and overall sportsmanship skills that transcends a single tourney.

Or at least - knowing K - I hope members can find value.

-jk

Hard to argue with you here. Especially with K at the helm, I would imagine the value they receive from sacrificing this summer will go beyond basic high-level competition.

Nonetheless, most, if not all, of these guys are competing for the chance to represent their country on the Olympic stage, which is a very lofty accomplishment. Anything short of that will be at least a disappointment, though not without some nice silver linings.

I won't go as far as Class of '94 and say that all the 2008 members should be dropped from consideration since I don't know the reasons for their absence this summer, about which I can only speculate at this point. A couple seem to have legit reasons: Kobe needs to rest and save the mileage, Paul seemed to have been looking for a trade or at least butting heads w/ management. The free agency thing has been thrown out there, but I don't buy it b/c it didn't keep Amar'e and Lee from showing up once their deals were wrapped by early/mid-July. Boozer, Bosh, Wade, and Lebron were all signed and sealed (as far as I can tell) before the training camp started. Deron Williams simply turned his invitation down (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700047443/Utah-Jazz-Deron-Williams-wont-play-for-Team-USA-in-Turkey.html).

I'm hoping there's a reasonable explanation out there, and I'm gonna beat the crap out of this horse until I hear it (or until the season starts and I forget :) ) but at this point I feel mislead. Part of K's reupping with Team USA was b/c these guys said they would, and now it appears they aren't fully holding up their end of the bargain.

[Class of '94]

Hard to argue with you here. Especially with K at the helm, I would imagine the value they receive from sacrificing this summer will go beyond basic high-level competition.

Nonetheless, most, if not all, of these guys are competing for the chance to represent their country on the Olympic stage, which is a very lofty accomplishment. Anything short of that will be at least a disappointment, though not without some nice silver linings.

I won't go as far as Class of '94 and say that all the 2008 members should be dropped from consideration since I don't know the reasons for their absence this summer, about which I can only speculate at this point. A couple seem to have legit reasons: Kobe needs to rest and save the mileage, Paul seemed to have been looking for a trade or at least butting heads w/ management. The free agency thing has been thrown out there, but I don't buy it b/c it didn't keep Amar'e and Lee from showing up once their deals were wrapped by early/mid-July. Boozer, Bosh, Wade, and Lebron were all signed and sealed (as far as I can tell) before the training camp started. Deron Williams simply turned his invitation down (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700047443/Utah-Jazz-Deron-Williams-wont-play-for-Team-USA-in-Turkey.html).

I'm hoping there's a reasonable explanation out there, and I'm gonna beat the crap out of this horse until I hear it (or until the season starts and I forget :) ) but at this point I feel mislead. Part of K's reupping with Team USA was b/c these guys said they would, and now it appears they aren't fully holding up their end of the bargain.

All of you make good points. It just ticks me off that it seems a majority of 2008 team appears to have blown the World's off. Kobe appears to be one of the few with a legit excuse becuase he is recovering from injuries and I believe surgery on his finger and knee. But as SilkyJ pointed out, there are a players like Lebron, Wade, etc. that do not appear to have a real reason; and oh, don't forget Dwight Howard not participating as well. It would be nice to hear their reasoning for not being a part of the Worlds. It's a crude analogy but I feel like it is similar to star players who feel like they don't have to go to practice and they can just show up to the games and win.

[SilkyJ]

It's a crude analogy but I feel like it is similar to star players who feel like they don't have to go to practice and they can just show up to the games and win.

I don't think its a crude analogy. That was basically the USA basketball attitude in the early 2000s when we got spanked in the Worlds and in the Olympics -- throw a bunch of stars together and we'll win.

Well it didn't work and that mindset was cited as a major reason, hence the "3 year commitment" that was instituted, and was also admittedly flexible under the right circumstances. We'll see how it works this time around.

[roywhite]

I don't think its a crude analogy. That was basically the USA basketball attitude in the early 2000s when we got spanked in the Worlds and in the Olympics -- throw a bunch of stars together and we'll win.

Well it didn't work and that mindset was cited as a major reason, hence the "3 year commitment" that was instituted, and was also admittedly flexible under the right circumstances. We'll see how it works this time around.

To be fair, there are a number of high-profile names from other countries who are not participating in the World Championships either.

Pau Gasol, Andrew Bogut, Manu Gnobili, Yao Ming, Tony Parker, Rony Turaif, and Dirk Nowitzki are not expected to play.

[flyingdutchdevil]

To be fair, there are a number of high-profile names from other countries who are not participating in the World Championships either.

Pau Gasol, Andrew Bogut, Manu Gnobili, Yao Ming, Tony Parker, Rony Turaif, and Dirk Nowitzki are not expected to play.

Despite Goodman's article, continuously playing for your country in basketball isn't that special. With the exception of a few teams (1992 Olympics, 2008 Olympics), the US team isn't made up of the BEST players in the league. For instance, this 2010 team is really good and probably still the best in the world, but only a few of the top 20 are represented in this current team.

As Roy pointed out, look at all the international stars missing from their teams. International basketball doesn't have the sexy appeal of other international sports. Players should want to continuously want to play for their country and not pick and choose their battles. A great analogy is the World Cup and the Euro Cup - no football event is bigger than the World Cup and the Euro Cup is tiny by comparison (fans, exposure, credit, etc). However, stars are ALWAYS present during the Euro Cup. The likes of Ballack, C. Ronaldo, Cannavaro, Henry, etc were all on rosters for their respective teams.

That's what I don't get about basketball - why isn't there that passion on the top level year after year? Is it because there isn't much money to be made playing bball for your country whereas in football players can make a name for themselves and get traded to better clubs through international football exposure? Is it because the US is still so dominant in international basketball that the best players aren't continuously pushed to play international ball? Exhaustion isn't an issue - football players go through a 9-month long season every year.

[Class of '94]

To be fair, there are a number of high-profile names from other countries who are not participating in the World Championships either.

Pau Gasol, Andrew Bogut, Manu Gnobili, Yao Ming, Tony Parker, Rony Turaif, and Dirk Nowitzki are not expected to play.

I see your point.....But you're still talking about 1-2 star players not playing for a respective country as opposed to all of the players from our 2008 Olympic team not competing in the Worlds.

[CDu]

I see your point.....But you're still talking about 1-2 star players not playing for a respective country as opposed to all of the players from our 2008 Olympic team not competing in the Worlds.

Well, for many/most countries, 1-2 star players does represent all of the NBA talent (or at least all of the top NBA talent). For the rest of those guys, these tournaments represent an opportunity to make a name for themselves on the international scene.

[jipops]

Yet another hit for the USA squad:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5432879

[JasonEvans]

I see your point.....But you're still talking about 1-2 star players not playing for a respective country as opposed to all of the players from our 2008 Olympic team not competing in the Worlds.

I think that part of what happened was a few big name guys dropped out, claiming exhausting, injury recovery, and free agent stress. As a result of some of them dropping out, for perhaps legit reasons, everyone dropped out because the other guys did not want to seem less important than the big names who said, "not this summer." Essentially, once Lebron and DWade and Kobe did not do it, no one wanted to seem less than those guys so the other guys also dropped out.

Does that make sense?

--Jason "pity" Evans

[SilkyJ]

I think that part of what happened was a few big name guys dropped out, claiming exhausting, injury recovery, and free agent stress. As a result of some of them dropping out, for perhaps legit reasons, everyone dropped out because the other guys did not want to seem less important than the big names who said, "not this summer." Essentially, once Lebron and DWade and Kobe did not do it, no one wanted to seem less than those guys so the other guys also dropped out.

Does that make sense?

--Jason "pity" Evans

It sure does make sense, I guess I'll just go with that for now even if it is speculation, b/c it makes a lot of sense.

I still hope these guys come to camp next summer and get their time in together with whoever the new additions are (like Durant). They need the time to gel if we want to win in 2012.

[NSDukeFan]

It sure does make sense, I guess I'll just go with that for now even if it is speculation, b/c it makes a lot of sense.

I still hope these guys come to camp next summer and get their time in together with whoever the new additions are (like Durant). They need the time to gel if we want to win in 2012.

I don't think it is unreasonable that the 2008 Olympians have bowed out for this tournament. If I recall correctly, many of those Olympians had committed for the 3 summers including 2008. If you add that to the full NBA seasons and playoffs, I can certainly understand why some (especially veterans who are getting up there in years) may want to have a couple of summers to recuperate. Those players may have less of a chance of making it on the team for 2012, however, as those players that excel this summer will certainly have a great chance of making the next Olympic team.

[airowe]

So, I just read on Twitter that Lopez is sitting out the World Championships because of his ongoing bout with mono and Javale Mcgee will take his place. Our big man depth is scarce to say the list. I hope Mr. Khloe Kardashian can come through.

[SilkyJ]

So, I just read on Twitter that Lopez is sitting out the World Championships because of his ongoing bout with mono and Javale Mcgee will take his place. Our big man depth is scarce to say the list. I hope Mr. Khloe Kardashian can come through.

Damn, we could have really used him...although if he's sick, maybe its for the best.

After the cuts were made, Sheridan said we would regret cutting McGee, so he's probably digging this move. Hopefully he can provide a solid 5-10mpg to give Chandler and Odom (and Love?) some rest.

[Billy Dat]

With all the turmoil surrounding this year's World Championship bid, it has an opportunity to be one of K's finest hours if they are able to bring home the gold.

-It would be the first title since 1994, a wild 16 year drought
-No Redeem Team players
-A front line that has, literally, been getting eliminated one by one
-The loss of offensive mastermind, D'Antoni, who is also probably considered the ranking NBA coach on the staff ahead of Nate McMillan.

K would not have been as prepared for this kind of challenge in 2006. Now, however, he is seasoned with the pros, and the international game and FIBA style tournaments. He's earned the respect of the players. I think his leadership skills will be tested as never before as he, more than anyone, will be the face of this particular team. Knowing how he loves a challenge, I am sure all these setbacks are sharpening his focus to an even greater degree. I can't wait!!!!

If this "B Team" as they are being called, wins the World's, then the USA's place atop the basketball world will have truly been re-established.

[superdave]

Anyone else think Keven Durant might take his place on the throne in the World Championships as "Best Player Alive"?

I can see two guys on this team craving the big shots - Durant and Chauncy Billups. I can also see Durant being our leading rebounder (in addition to scoring) which makes him important defensively. He could create matchup problems at both ends for most teams.

I dont think we'll be as dominant as Beijing, but with a clear alpha dog, we may win the whole thing going away,

[SilkyJ]

These links are from late July, so a bit old, but hadn't seen them posted.

Via GoDuke.com Inside Access, some free highlights of Nolan and Kyle's scouting reports on a couple of the Team USA guys.

Nolan Smith on some of the team USA guards (http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=4200&id=717590&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200)

Favorite player to go against: Russel Westbrook
Scouting report on Derrick Rose: "Good luck"

Kyle Singler on a couple team USA forwards (http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=4200&id=717391&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200)

(nice block/strip of durant!)

Inside Access Premium members may be able to get an extended version of the interview. Tough to tell if these are just highlights to tease us or the whole thing...

[SilkyJ]

From the frontpage, Team USA back to work in NYC (http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/9056886/article-Team-USA-returns-to-work?instance=main_article).

A couple key quotes:



Colangelo said eight or nine spots seem set, leaving three up for grabs. Krzyzewski and his staff will get a look at the players in a number of situations: workouts against a select team of college players, a scrimmage against China, and the game against the French.

Sounds about right, most folks have the locks as:

Guards: Billups, Rose, Rondo (with Westbrook, Curry, and Gordon competing for 1-2 spots)
Forwards: Durant, Gay, Odom, Iguodala (with Granger, Green and Love competing for 1-2 spots)
Centers: Chandler (with McGee pretty much a lock b/c we need the size)

I would say Love is close to a lock b/c we need his size and he can shoot it well for a big man. So its basically back to the Westbrook, Curry, Granger debate with Gordon and Green likely looking in from the outside.

Buuuut, we may not know the final roster for a couple more weeks:



But they may not make any decisions before the team departs next Monday for Madrid, where the Americans will face Lithuania and Spain before moving on to Athens to play Greece. Colangelo and Krzyzewski have indicated they may bring more than 12 to those games and make their final choices there.

The Americans play their opening game at the world championships Aug. 28.

"We could come out of New York with more than 12 because we really don't need to turn in a roster until we get to Turkey," Krzyzewski said. "So it's a lot of time before you have to turn in 12, and if we continue to get the spirit of cooperation, we might postpone a decision and give as many guys an opportunity as possible and a little bit more insurance that we'll have 12 healthy guys once we get to Istanbul."

[roywhite]

Sounds like the Select team gave the National team some competition as practice sessions in New York started. (http://thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=538)

Nice mention for Kyle and Nolan:


Kemba Walker, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were clearly the best players out there for the Select Team. The three of them looked like they fit in with the NBA players

[BD80]

Sounds like the Select team gave the National team some competition as practice sessions in New York started. (http://thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=538)

Nice mention for Kyle and Nolan:


Kemba Walker, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were clearly the best players out there for the Select Team. The three of them looked like they fit in with the NBA players



Me likey. A lot.

I'll bet that both Kyle and Nolan go pro after this season.

No smiley necessary is there?

It is somewhat strange that we have two legit NPOY candidates, and yet our most talented player might be Kyrie, and Mason the most physically gifted.

This could be one of those teams that we look back upon with awe.

[SilkyJ]

Sounds like the Select team gave the National team some competition as practice sessions in New York started. (http://thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=538)

Nice mention for Kyle and Nolan:

Nice find, roywhite.

Per today's DBR frontpage, Granger is now out due to a finger injury (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5674448/danny_granger_injury_a_rough_break.html), so they're down to 14 players.

And per this article (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/08/10/team-usa-roster-for-fiba-world-championship-still-in-flux/), K & Co. may bring all 14 of the guys to Europe for the warm-up games, etc. for additional evaluation.

I had Granger making the final 12 with Green, Gordon, and Westbrook as the last 3 out, now K will have to decide whether to put Green out there for some additional size and rebounding, or go with Westbrook's playmaking ability and defense, which appears to have been hard to ignore.

[Billy Dat]

Here is a great site dedicated to European-FIBA basketball:

http://www.ballineurope.com/

It's done blog-style, and has lots of psych up info for the upcoming Worlds. Despite the gambling odds, it has become fashionable to pick against the US in this upcoming tournament. Right now, the site has Spain first, Greece second, and US third. We'll all be able to watch exhibition games against those squads the week after next, in their home countries - true road games.

[Billy Dat]

I watched the World Basketball Festival intra-squad scrimmage last night on NBA TV. There were lots of different things to comment on.

First off, the World Basketball Festival itself feels a little over the top. Nike paid big bucks to make it happen and USA Basketball was anxious for it to happen in order to get America excited for the World Championships, which typically get no attention stateside. Because of the growth of basketball, worldwide, there is the ambition to try and make it as big as the World Cup...I guess you gotta dream big. Anyway, the impression that I am getting is that K is feeling a little like Burgess Meredith's Mickey in Rocky III when the training camp for the first Clubber Lang fight felt more like a Vegas show than the rigorous prep it was supposed to be. The major difference is that the players are taking it seriously and are working hard. But the rest of the world, especially the top teams, have their squads together and are already playing exhibition games.

-The scrimmage was held on stage at Radio City Music Hall which was also very strange, but certainly unique. If any player tried to chase a ball into the near corner closest to the stage, they could have fallen off. Plus, the fans were only on one side of the court so it was a strange set-up. Interestingly, sitting courtside were a lot of the Redeem Team - LBJ, Carmelo, Wade, Chris Paul, etc. When you start to really investigate how Colangelo and K have built the USA program, it is amazing to see the growth in little ways, like how many players at all levels are attending the festival this week.

-The scrimmage was a tough thing to judge as it was much more up-and-down than any FIBA game will be. In the backcourt, I thought Billups, Curry and Rondo played the best, Iguodala and Durant played really well, Odom was solid, and I thought Love was solid. I think that Gordon, Green and McGee are the most likely cuts as McGee, despite his size, does look a little lost out there. Gay and Rose weren't as sharp as they have been.

-I think you can ink in Odom, Durant and Iguodala as starters, and I think the backcourt is really up for grabs with only Billups as a probable starter at this point. I also don't know if K will go for the wholesale subsitutions that have become a staple of his FIBA rotations. We'll learn more Sunday in the first real game against France.

-Looking back to 2008, we really destroyed everyone, including Spain and Greece, in pool play. Come medal round time, we had a few close games. The exhibitions against Greece and Spain should be really interesting...do they only give us half effort, as FIBA teams have been known to do in exhibitions? Who knows...

[superdave]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/halloffame10/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=100812-dreamteam

You just have to love Sir Chuck for any numbers of reasons, but put a mike in front of him and he's at home.

[SilkyJ]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/halloffame10/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=100812-dreamteam

You just have to love Sir Chuck for any numbers of reasons, but put a mike in front of him and he's at home.

I could listen to Chuck talk all day, no matter the topic of conversation. Great link!

[Billy Dat]

More quotes to make the wait until the season tips off seem interminable, from the final National Team/Select Team practice:

Q:
How much was the USA Select Team able to help your team prepare for the FIBA World Championship?

Chauncey Billups:
I thought they were great all month. They have some really good guys that can play. I was impressed with a lot of them, actually. The guards were really good, Shelvin Mack was really good. Kemba Walker was good. I like Nolan Smith, Scoop Jardine was really good, Chris Wright. Chris Singleton was good, he shot the ball really well. They’ve got some guys who can play. That kid from Duke, Singler, man, he was a shooting machine. They brought in some great talent who really pushed us.

[basket1544]

This is the longest off season in history. I watched the US basketball scrimmage game this morning. I thought big brother's last shot was going down. I cannot wait to see live action college bball again. It seems like forever ago when the nets were cut down. Thank goodness for the World Championship games to liven things up.

[roywhite]

US thrashes China in tuneup 98-51 (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5464038)

From the article:


Danny Granger scored 22 points and the Americans sprinted past China 98-51 in a scrimmage Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

On a day they gave their strongest hint yet that they're prepared to take only one center to the world championships, the Americans were credited with a 32-4 advantage in fast-break points.

According to a related article by Chris Sheriden, Jeff Green did not play and is likely to be one of the cuts.
Apparently JaVale McGee did not play either

[Vincetaylor]

I'll be very surprised if this team wins the World Championships. They have a lot of talent, but nothing close to the Olympic team and probably not as much as the last U.S. team that lost in the World Championships.

[roywhite]

Coach K wants Durant to shoot more, pass less (http://fwix.com/winston_salem/share/6f76ff0f62/krzyewski_wants_durant_to_shoot_more_pass_less?ref errer=http%3A%2F%2Flucianne.com%2F)


"Be yourself," Lakers veteran Lamar Odom said of his advice for Durant. "He led the league in scoring. If he could lead this league in scoring, too, that would help."

But that's the prominent position Durant finds himself in even though this is his first stint on the national team. The U.S. heads into the world championships in Turkey later this month trying to win to clinch a berth at the 2012 Olympics.

"Everyone says Kevin Durant's the leader. He may be our best player; that doesn't mean you're the leader," Krzyzewski said. "Let him just be the best player."

[SupaDave]

No one watched Team USA dismantle France today?

Derrick Rose is absolutely lethal in Coach K's hands...

Durant is special. He's gonna have a couple 40 point games before it's said and done with.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5465666

[SupaDave]

Turns out that a lot of our team was at today's game vs. France. Seth, Kyrie, My3Plums, Nolan, and Jon all attended.

[roywhite]

No one watched Team USA dismantle France today?

Derrick Rose is absolutely lethal in Coach K's hands...

Durant is special. He's gonna have a couple 40 point games before it's said and done with.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5465666

Yeah, I saw it, SupaDave, and liked what I saw.

The USA team certainly has speed, quickness, and shooters. Agree with you about Durant being special. I was impressed with Rudy Gay, Rondo's drives, Steph Curry's ability, and the steady play of Billups.

The team is a work in progress; on defense, they didn't consistently get out to cover the shooters and are a little slow in help defense. On offense, some of the playmaking is just a little bit off. But overall, very good IMO.

[Billy Dat]

I was lucky to attend today's game and had really good seats. The Garden was full and pretty rocking. There were lots of France fans, too. Excellent crowd.

We obviously got off to a really slow start on offense. Honestly, I really felt Rondo was the key to the US taking control and never looking back. He really settled us down on offense and was doing a far better job than anyone else at getting guys good shots in rhythm.

Billups had a really nice game as well, especially after he came back into the game following his first shift. As far as the rest of the team, I really felt the presence of Gay, Odom, Durant and Iguodala. A lot of people are talking about Rose but he didn't make the big impression on me today.

As for the last cut, I feel like Eric Gordon has made up the slack on Stephen Curry and its between he, Curry and Westbrook for the final cut. Gordon's size gives him a big advantage I think, and, based on what I've seen, I feel like his shooting is right there with Curry's. That's going to be an interesting decision.

Random note - at MSG, as at other arenas, they do the "Kiss Cam" where they put a couple on the JumboTron and the crowd cheers for them to smooch. Anyway, the last couple of the Kiss Cam today....Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. The place went nuts!

[Newton_14]

I was lucky to attend today's game and had really good seats. The Garden was full and pretty rocking. There were lots of France fans, too. Excellent crowd.

We obviously got off to a really slow start on offense. Honestly, I really felt Rondo was the key to the US taking control and never looking back. He really settled us down on offense and was doing a far better job than anyone else at getting guys good shots in rhythm.

Billups had a really nice game as well, especially after he came back into the game following his first shift. As far as the rest of the team, I really felt the presence of Gay, Odom, Durant and Iguodala. A lot of people are talking about Rose but he didn't make the big impression on me today.

As for the last cut, I feel like Eric Gordon has made up the slack on Stephen Curry and its between he, Curry and Westbrook for the final cut. Gordon's size gives him a big advantage I think, and, based on what I've seen, I feel like his shooting is right there with Curry's. That's going to be an interesting decision.

Random note - at MSG, as at other arenas, they do the "Kiss Cam" where they put a couple on the JumboTron and the crowd cheers for them to smooch. Anyway, the last couple of the Kiss Cam today....Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. The place went nuts!

Nice report BD. Always good to get write ups from someone who caught the game in person. There is a ton of talent in the backcourt on this team. K almost cannot go wrong with his final pick there. I do hope he keeps Curry on the team though.

[gumbomoop]

There is a ton of talent in the backcourt on this team. K almost cannot go wrong with his final pick there. I do hope he keeps Curry on the team though.

I, too, assume, given the overabundance of guards, that the last cut will come from Curry, Westbrook, and Gordon. I'd add a wildcard in Granger, who played very little yesterday from what I saw; though maybe K played the guards a lot just to see who would actually be that final cut.

Of the 3 guards, each has important strengths: Curry is so smart, excellent passer and shooter; Westbrook so strong defensively; Gordon such a good shooter and tough driver. Interesting and tough decision. I do wonder whether Curry is strong enough - especially compared to the other 2 - for the international game, which seems to allow a whole lot of hand-checking. Still, he's so, so smart, a player with Scheyer-like court sense.

Imo, it's a good plan to take an extra player over to Europe, both because the verdict is still out, and because of the possibility of a last-minute injury.

As a non-watcher of much NBA, I'm into this mostly because of K. As luck would have it, his task and approach with this team would seem to give us a preview of his task with Duke '10-'11: how to remold with new talent, new mixture. He doesn't have a lot of time, and as Fran Fraschilla noted, Spain and Greece are realistically probably the favorites. Up and down games, US should win going away. Slug it out/half court, however, will be very difficult. In some games, Love might not play, but if Curry or Odom gets into foul trouble, Love's rebounding and outlet passing will be needed.

[Billy Dat]

As K stressed in his post game comments yesterday, this team is a far more evolved defensive team than offensive right now. They are going to have to really work on their O, which is interesting consdering that D'Antoni is no longer with the team as of yesterday (bad back). It seems so obvious when watching from the stands, but we get better shots and shoot a higher percentage when the ball moves then when it sticks, when it goes inside out or drive and kick instead of just firing around the perimeter. I think back to this year's Duke team where, because we got so many offensive boards and our big men always looked to kick it out, we had 3 point shooters whose feet were set and were squared to the hoop...and they knocked them down. That's what Rondo was doing yesterday, he really facilitated that kind of ball movement and once they were playing him to pass, he was blowing right by people for lay-ups. I can't believe the guy didn't get more post game love for what he did on offense, he had 6 assists in 19 minutes (granted, he also had 3 TOs).

[roywhite]

I
As a non-watcher of much NBA, I'm into this mostly because of K. As luck would have it, his task and approach with this team would seem to give us a preview of his task with Duke '10-'11: how to remold with new talent, new mixture. He doesn't have a lot of time, and as Fran Fraschilla noted, Spain and Greece are realistically probably the favorites. Up and down games, US should win going away. Slug it out/half court, however, will be very difficult. In some games, Love might not play, but if Curry or Odom gets into foul trouble, Love's rebounding and outlet passing will be needed.

It's a somewhat different situation, but it was notable that no US player got more than 23 minutes yesterday; Rondo, for one, talked about how the team wants to play at a high level of intensity, particularly on defense, and substitute frequently.

As the Duke team develops, I think we'll see a similar approach, and much greater use of the bench than recently...perhaps going back to 1998 and 1999.

[gumbomoop]

It's a somewhat different situation, but it was notable that no US player got more than 23 minutes yesterday; Rondo, for one, talked about how the team wants to play at a high level of intensity, particularly on defense, and substitute frequently.

As the Duke team develops, I think we'll see a similar approach, and much greater use of the bench than recently...perhaps going back to 1998 and 1999.

You're right, and I realized that in making the point about K's interesting task, I was oversimplifying. One obvious difference is that his Duke '10-'11 team has great returning talent, whereas this World team has no returnees from the Redeemers. So I guess it's more accurate simply to say his "remolding" task and skills with this World team may provide some insight into what he'll be doing with Duke.

Your point about D also reminds me that I was thinking too narrowly, about their O; and that's a mistake, both because K is K and because this team is unlikely to be consistent enough in half-court O simply to out-execute more experienced teams such as Spain, Greece, and Argentina. They're going to need energy and pressure-steals for run-outs.

[sagegrouse]

It's a somewhat different situation, but it was notable that no US player got more than 23 minutes yesterday; Rondo, for one, talked about how the team wants to play at a high level of intensity, particularly on defense, and substitute frequently.

As the Duke team develops, I think we'll see a similar approach, and much greater use of the bench than recently...perhaps going back to 1998 and 1999.

We'll see how the rotation develops when we get to the actual tournament. My guess is that the minutes will not be at all evenly distributed, and a number of players will average 30+ per game.

sagegrouse

[roywhite]

We'll see how the rotation develops when we get to the actual tournament. My guess is that the minutes will not be at all evenly distributed, and a number of players will average 30+ per game.

sagegrouse

Sorry, I'm not 100% clear on this...I think you're referring to the USA team...but are you referring to the USA team, or Duke in the issue of minutes distribution?

I really don't expect guys on the USA team to go over 30 minutes, even in the medal round.

[sagegrouse]

Sorry, I'm not 100% clear on this...I think you're referring to the USA team...but are you referring to the USA team, or Duke in the issue of minutes distribution?

I really don't expect guys on the USA team to go over 30 minutes, even in the medal round.

Sorry. I was referring to Team USA and referring to the inevitable close games. Yeah, if we play a weak team in the medal round, the minutes will be widely distributed.

And for pros used to 48-minute games, 30 minutes is a bit shy of full load.

sagegrouse

[superdave]

Just read an article on the weekend games - here's the current rotation from K/Colangelo.

Starters - 1. Rondo 2. Billups 3. Igoudala 4. Durant 5. Chandler
Rotation - Rose, Gay, Granger, Odom
Bench - Love, Curry, Gordon, Westbrook

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TeamUSA-100815

First thoughts are that Durant could provide all kinds of headaches at the 4 for other teams. He's a nightmare matchup for anyone. This team is built to defend - that certainly is a Coach K stamp. But outside of Billups, Rose and Durant, we dont have anyone who can carry the team offensively for stretches. Curry is not there yet but the rest just arent great scorers (except maybe Granger?).

[superdave]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5473409

It still could be the deciding factor between him, Gordon and Westbrook though.

[Billy Dat]

Greece and Spain have been kicking butt in their exhibitions. The 3 upcoming exhibitions for Team USA should be really interesting.

[Billy Dat]

I've been getting into some debates with European hoop fans on a different message board in prep for the Worlds. I thought you guys would appreciate some of the international views expressed:

"I am not surprised that Billups has not seen the 2008 gold medal game. He is a very good player and a leader, but he is also an NBA player and an American. They are all programmed to believe that there is no pro basketball or pro level players outside of the NBA. There was a survey done a couple years ago where 13 out of 30 NBA general managers admitted they had never seen a European basketball game in their lives.
It seems hard to believe, but it’s really not if you just think about it. I remember wade and LeBron saying in 2006 after they had lost several times in 2004 and 2006 that NBA players and people in the US simply have no clue how good the level of the players is in Europe. That these good international teams all bring 12 NBA level players but that in the US the belief is simply that even the best player in Europe could never even make an NBA roster. That’s why I say that most Americans when it comes to basketball they are just like the English are in football. I’m not exactly sure what causes those two instances, but I think in both cases it’s because they are fed endless barrages of hype and marketing from those sports leagues in their countries. Even how the Lakers and Celtics call themselves “world champions”. I just saw on ESPN how they talked about the Saints being world champions, etc. So actually the US sports culture is even much more arrogant and out of touch with reality than the English one is, and that’s really something. Most Americans just can’t seem to make a distinction between hype and marketing gimmicks and actual reality. But remember that Tim Duncan said FIBA was way better and higher level than the NBA was. It is true that the US program and coaching is much more focused now, and so is the scouting, etc. However you also have to remember that the other teams are also much better now. Back then there were some really good teams like Serbia and Argentina. But really the truth is that the good European teams now are stronger IMO. Just looking at the levels of teams like Spain and Greece these days. I mean the basketball has developed to a point where outside of the top 5-10 best NBA players, actually the average Euroleague player is actually BETTER than the average NBA player is. But no in the US wants to admit that. If the US ever had to face a European team, and not just an individual country from Europe, even the 2008 team would not be able to win. But that reality has not sunk in yet to Americans. Your knowledge seems very good and you seem to be very respectful. But you even said that most other players would not be able to make the US team. You see that is wrong. The NBA inflates the level of their players. Take for example Iguodala, he would be nothing but an average player at best in the Euroleague. Some of the players on that US team would actually not even be able to play on a good Euroleague club.
This is the actual reality but no one in the US seems to be able to accept it. If NBA teams started playing Euroleague teams with neutral rules and refs (unlike the NBA-Euroleague games which are all rigged), let’s say at the homes of those European teams, then you would start to see 30 point losses for NBA teams happening all the time.
But the PERCEPTION in the US is, “X NBA team won Y Euroleague team by 20″ so NBA is way better than Euroleague”. But the reality is far different. The NBA is really not even that serious of a competition anymore. It’s basically sports entertainment and it’s closer to the WWE and than sportive competition.

[JasonEvans]

Insanity. While he is right that the average fan and perhaps even some NBA players/executives do not realize how strong European teams and players have become, the notion that the 2008 team would have lost to a Euroleague team or that a player like Igoudala would not be a star in Europe is lunacy.

Just look at what happens to European stars who come to the NBA (many become role players, few become stars). Just look at what happens when NBA role players (like Josh Childress or Trajan Langdon) go to European teams and become big-time stars.

--Jason "that said, the current Team USA will have its hands full over the next month" Evans

[Billy Dat]

Insanity. While he is right that the average fan and perhaps even some NBA players/executives do not realize how strong European teams and players have become, the notion that the 2008 team would have lost to a Euroleague team or that a player like Igoudala would not be a star in Europe is lunacy.

Just look at what happens to European stars who come to the NBA (many become role players, few become stars). Just look at what happens when NBA role players (like Josh Childress or Trajan Langdon) go to European teams and become big-time stars.

--Jason "that said, the current Team USA will have its hands full over the next month" Evans

I agree that his hyperbole is out of touch with reality, I think his bottom line is an interesting one to consider. He feels that FIBA-style ball is so far superior to NBA ball, specifically on the team oriented aspects of offensive execution, that great FIBA players are lost in the isolation-driven NBA offenses and vice versa. As a result, he'd argue someone like Trajan is a better player than Iguodala because he better understands and can execute the team game.

[SilkyJ]

I agree that his hyperbole is out of touch with reality, I think his bottom line is an interesting one to consider. He feels that FIBA-style ball is so far superior to NBA ball, specifically on the team oriented aspects of offensive execution, that great FIBA players are lost in the isolation-driven NBA offenses and vice versa. As a result, he'd argue someone like Trajan is a better player than Iguodala because he better understands and can execute the team game.

Soooo out of touch.

And if he thinks CSKA Moscow or some other top Euro club could beat the Lakers, or the Celtics, or the Magic, he's crazy...but that much is already clear.

[Billy Dat]

Soooo out of touch.

And if he thinks CSKA Moscow or some other top Euro club could beat the Lakers, or the Celtics, or the Magic, he's crazy...but that much is already clear.

He would argue that if the NBA champion played the Euroleague champion in Europe with FIBA refs and played by FIBA rules, the Euroleague team would win. I don't think he's right, but I also don't think he's completely out of bounds with his thought.

[SilkyJ]

He would argue that if the NBA champion played the Euroleague champion in Europe with FIBA refs and played by FIBA rules, the Euroleague team would win. I don't think he's right, but I also don't think he's completely out of bounds with his thought.

I get it. He's still wrong.

[Acymetric]

I just saw on ESPN how they talked about the Saints being world champions, etc. So actually the US sports culture is even much more arrogant and out of touch with reality than the English one is, and that’s really something.

So...what football team in what non-NFL league could make an argument that they deserved "world champion" status this year?

[dukejim1]

Asuming Curry's ankle is OK, who do you believe the last cut will be. Has to be a guard based on lack of depth in frontcourt. I"m guessing Westbrook since we have plenty of points and Curry and Gordon are better shooters

[Billy Dat]

Asuming Curry's ankle is OK, who do you believe the last cut will be. Has to be a guard based on lack of depth in frontcourt. I"m guessing Westbrook since we have plenty of points and Curry and Gordon are better shooters

I agree, Westbrook as long as Curry is ok.

[detule]

If you feel like getting your bearings on what European Basketball is going into the World Championships, check out this footage from the Greece - Serbia FRIENDLY played yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ste4A1v5W-o)

Sorry if it's off topic, but it does involve Greece who a lot of people have finishing top 5.

[flyingdutchdevil]

If you feel like getting your bearings on what European Basketball is going into the World Championships, check out this footage from the Greece - Serbia FRIENDLY played yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ste4A1v5W-o)

Sorry if it's off topic, but it does involve Greece who a lot of people have finishing top 5.

Damn. That's crazy. I was half expecting a fan to throw a drink at one of the players and watch the situation escalate from there...

[SilkyJ]

If you feel like getting your bearings on what European Basketball is going into the World Championships, check out this footage from the Greece - Serbia FRIENDLY played yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ste4A1v5W-o)

Sorry if it's off topic, but it does involve Greece who a lot of people have finishing top 5.

Not off topic at all, especially if FIBA gets involved in terms of disciplining players. I don't know anything about how FIBA lays down the law, but Serbia's best player throwing a chair = BAD IDEA. It wouldn't surprise me if he gets suspended for a few games or the entire world championships. Serbia is no slouch of a team either, so if he does get suspended this could really hurt their chances of making some noise.

[MChambers]

Nice article in the NYT on Curry, with lots of Coach K references, including how Coach K was one of the first to think that Curry was too small, etc.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/sports/basketball/20basketball.html

[G man]

I've been getting into some debates with European hoop fans on a different message board in prep for the Worlds. I thought you guys would appreciate some of the international views expressed:

"I am not surprised that Billups has not seen the 2008 gold medal game. He is a very good player and a leader, but he is also an NBA player and an American. They are all programmed to believe that there is no pro basketball or pro level players outside of the NBA. There was a survey done a couple years ago where 13 out of 30 NBA general managers admitted they had never seen a European basketball game in their lives.
It seems hard to believe, but it’s really not if you just think about it. I remember wade and LeBron saying in 2006 after they had lost several times in 2004 and 2006 that NBA players and people in the US simply have no clue how good the level of the players is in Europe. That these good international teams all bring 12 NBA level players but that in the US the belief is simply that even the best player in Europe could never even make an NBA roster. That’s why I say that most Americans when it comes to basketball they are just like the English are in football. I’m not exactly sure what causes those two instances, but I think in both cases it’s because they are fed endless barrages of hype and marketing from those sports leagues in their countries. Even how the Lakers and Celtics call themselves “world champions”. I just saw on ESPN how they talked about the Saints being world champions, etc. So actually the US sports culture is even much more arrogant and out of touch with reality than the English one is, and that’s really something. Most Americans just can’t seem to make a distinction between hype and marketing gimmicks and actual reality. But remember that Tim Duncan said FIBA was way better and higher level than the NBA was. It is true that the US program and coaching is much more focused now, and so is the scouting, etc. However you also have to remember that the other teams are also much better now. Back then there were some really good teams like Serbia and Argentina. But really the truth is that the good European teams now are stronger IMO. Just looking at the levels of teams like Spain and Greece these days. I mean the basketball has developed to a point where outside of the top 5-10 best NBA players, actually the average Euroleague player is actually BETTER than the average NBA player is. But no in the US wants to admit that. If the US ever had to face a European team, and not just an individual country from Europe, even the 2008 team would not be able to win. But that reality has not sunk in yet to Americans. Your knowledge seems very good and you seem to be very respectful. But you even said that most other players would not be able to make the US team. You see that is wrong. The NBA inflates the level of their players. Take for example Iguodala, he would be nothing but an average player at best in the Euroleague. Some of the players on that US team would actually not even be able to play on a good Euroleague club.
This is the actual reality but no one in the US seems to be able to accept it. If NBA teams started playing Euroleague teams with neutral rules and refs (unlike the NBA-Euroleague games which are all rigged), let’s say at the homes of those European teams, then you would start to see 30 point losses for NBA teams happening all the time.
But the PERCEPTION in the US is, “X NBA team won Y Euroleague team by 20″ so NBA is way better than Euroleague”. But the reality is far different. The NBA is really not even that serious of a competition anymore. It’s basically sports entertainment and it’s closer to the WWE and than sportive competition.

I don't get this at all I think this person who you were chatting with has been drinking a little to much kool-aid. I would agree with the point that the rest of the world has been catching up with USA. All you have to do is look at results to notice that, but based on results when the USA puts its mind to winning we win. Yes the Euro game is different, but there is no replacement for guys who can touch their head to the rim and still hit a 24 foot jumper. The problem the US has had is its willingness to adopt its game to the worlds. Not that we are producing a lesser talent. I guess we will see how we do with our non-A lineup.

[COYS]

Thought I'd bump this to the top for anyone who watched today's exhibition against Lithuania in Madrid.

It was a sluggish start for the USA. Great defense but poor offensive execution and sloppy play. I was shocked at how many missed dunks our guys had. Coach K used a TON of lineup combinations, taking full advantage of the fact that this game was an exhibition. There is no doubt that the talent level is way down from 2008 . . . and even 2006. We're relying on a lot of young players for significant minutes and the older players (Billups, Odom) are not really guys who are going to carry the team. That inexperience is certainly showing. We were able to win comfortably on the back of excellent defense (for the most part, although Chandler, Gay, and Odom were horribly slow to react against the pick n' roll during the first few minutes of the 3rd quarter), and some good finishes in transition plus some big threes by Russel Westbrook that helped open up the gap. It will be interesting to see how the half-court offense develops tomorrow against a tough team like Spain that won't turn the ball over as much as Lithuania and will be more potent on offense. Personally, I think the keys to the US winning the whole thing will be outside shooting (we simply have to be able to hit the three ball to help open up the floor on offense), defensive rebounding (gotta gobble up those missed shots and avoid giving the other team second chances), and the halfcourt offense. I don't think we need to live and die by our halfcourt sets, but there will be times when we will need to be able to consistently create offense in the halfcourt.

Many say that K's best coaching job was winning the big one with the 2010 Duke Team. Obviously I think Coach K did a marvelous job with the team, but I also think the talent level on that team was higher than many outside of Duke circles realize. That being said, i would definitely hear arguments from someone who claims that getting the USA the 2010 World Championship would be Coach K's most unlikely championship team (and by extension, his best coaching job). I don't mean this to say that the USA squad has no chance, because I believe that they can win the whole thing. However, K and the rest of the staff definitely have their work cut out for them.

[roywhite]

I watched a good part of the USA--Lithuania game (missed some of the 1st Quarter and the last few minutes of the 4th).

Overall, I'd call it a good experience and a bit of a wake-up/intro to FIBA international basketball for the young USA guys. Just some random impressions:

Westbrook and Gordon helped a lot off the bench
Missed dunks and some sloppy ball handling were a negative, though correctable
Rondo was not very effective
The USA defensive pressure on the perimeter was very good and led to several breakaways
The USA was also able to block or alter shots in the paint, which was a positive
FIBA travelling calls were a surprise to some of the USA ball handlers; will need to adjust there
A team with good overall talent and better backcourt talent than Lithuania had is going to be a real test for the USA (Spain is the first team that comes to mind)

This won't be easy

[Greg_Newton]

I agree that a team with a better backcourt could spell trouble. I really like this team though - they come off as young and hungry, with an athletic energy that you don't always see with the teams of older established stars. I think their success will ultimately come down to how well they can assert themselves on their opponents and maximize their athletic advantages, rather than having to adjust to the international style of play and beat opponents at their own game.

IMO, our greatest advantage is our plethora of viciously quick guards. The article about the Select scrimmages was telling when it talked about how some of the best college guards couldn't even get across halfcourt against Westbrook and Rondo - and while international guards are more experienced, I doubt they have that much experience with that caliber of on-ball defenders.

If Westbrook, Rondo, Rose and even Curry can consistently disrupt ballhanders, produce turnovers and create offense from defense, it will really allow us to dictate the game. That kind of pressure can be frustrating and embarrassing to face, and it really gets in your head when you have trouble protecting the ball 25 feet from the basket. I'd almost be interested to see Westbrook-Rondo-Rose on the floor at the same time for stretches... it would be an absolutely terrifying press to go against.

We have a few players who are quicker, stronger, more athletic (or all 3) than anyone they'll face - Rose, Westbrook, Chandler, Iguodala, Rondo, Gay - but we're also young and lacking the team experience opponents have. I think we'll end up seeing K relying more and more on his stable of attack dogs to take over defensively, because our personnel isn't really equipped to go blow-for-blow in a halfcourt game.

[strawbs]

how did Marty play? (I can't find a boxscore anywhere)

[SCMatt33]

how did Marty play? (I can't find a boxscore anywhere)

I've been looking for one as well. I think the official USA basketball site will have one eventually but the link doesn't work yet. As for Marty, I missed the first half plus part of the third. He did score the last bucket of the game on a baseline drive and had an uncontested rebound, but he wasn't on the floor until the end when it was decided. I don't know if he played at all in the first half, so I'll have to wait for a box score to see.

[strawbs]

I've been looking for one as well. I think the official USA basketball site will have one eventually but the link doesn't work yet. As for Marty, I missed the first half plus part of the third. He did score the last bucket of the game on a baseline drive and had an uncontested rebound, but he wasn't on the floor until the end when it was decided. I don't know if he played at all in the first half, so I'll have to wait for a box score to see.

thanks for the update

[Reilly]

box:

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mwc_exh_2_box.pdf

[gumbomoop]

how did Marty play? (I can't find a boxscore anywhere)

I didn't see the 3d quarter. Otherwise, he played a good amount, had a nice follow-up dunk, and I think a nice drive. Decent defense. Still very athletic, seems healthy. One bad tendency: gets up in air without a clear plan occasionally, necessitating a hang-time desperate pass. Usually worked today, but a problem. He gets some PT, partly because Lithuania's guards are their weak area.

Because the TV coverage was delayed by long-running LLWS game, no pregame look at K and Marty [if there was any such human-interest angle]. And cut away at end, so no close up of post-game handshake or congrats.

One question for those who saw whole game: what about Granger? Has he played all that much in these exhibitions? I'm still assuming that the final cut will come down to Westbrook [who, btw, was officially mvp of today's game - and probably deserved it], Gordon, and Curry. But, not having seen much of Granger, I wonder if he's still in mix for final cut. Probably not. But just from what I've seen, the 3 guards all look a bit better than Granger. Maybe he did well in the quarter I missed. And given that he's an NBA-proven scorer, I can see it's very likely he stays. Just haven't seen him much.

[jimsumner]

Granger's been injured. Hurt his finger.

[NovaScotian]

that there is no mention of Marty Pocius' play in the USA-Lithuania game? have we all forgotten his domination in summer pick-up games?

btw - 16 minutes, 7 pts on 2-6 shooting (3-4 from the line), 4 rebounds, 1 assist.

[94duke]

that there is no mention of Marty Pocius' play in the USA-Lithuania game? have we all forgotten his domination in summer pick-up games?

btw - 16 minutes, 7 pts on 2-6 shooting (3-4 from the line), 4 rebounds, 1 assist.

There is mention of Marty in the USA Basketball thread.
http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?21294-USA-Basketball-2010-World-Championships-Discussion
Thanks for posting his line, though . :)
Maybe mods can move this to the USA Basketball thread.

[left_hook_lacey]

The game announcers mentioned Marty's name a lot during the game and gave him lots of praise. Marty had a really nice follow-up dunk at one point in the game, and the announcers joked that he was showing Coach K that he should have played him more at Duke.

By the way, the game is being rebroadcast all week on NBA tv if you didn't catch it. I just watched it again.

USA takes on Ricky Rubio and Spain today at 3pm on NBA tv and ESPN 360. Should be a good game, USA cannot shoot as poorly as it did against Lithuania if it wants to get the win. If you remember, USA beat Spain in the 08' gold medal game, and the game is being played in Madrid. Should be a great test for team USA.

[Indoor66]

If I had to choose, I would let Billups go based on the play I saw yesterday and today.

[CameronBornAndBred]

WOW...what a finish. Spain had possession with 15 seconds left and could not get a shot. Well, they tried but were blocked.

[Reilly]

With respect to Billups, I agree 100%. All I could think watching him was think of the energy and shooting that another certain #4 (now #7) could've brought to his spot.

[miramar]

Thank goodness Pau Gasol didn't play.

I need to watch the tape delay at 10 PM.

[tbyers11]

WOW...what a finish. Spain had possession with 15 seconds left and could not get a shot. Well, they tried but were blocked.

Coach K made great call going zone out of that timeout. You know that Spain was going run the pick and roll but the zone confused them. Then some great D by Durant on both Rubio and Fernandez's shots

[airowe]

Coach K made great call going zone out of that timeout. You know that Spain was going run the pick and roll but the zone confused them. Then some great D by Durant on both Rubio and Fernandez's shots

Yep, great execution by the USA team there. Boeheim's Orange zone really through the Spaniards for a loop...

[77devil]

After maintaining a comfortable lead for most of the first half, team USA was down one near the end and needed two free throws by Derrick Rose with 16 seconds to go to win. Coach K and staff were able to call timeout and set the defense for the final possession and Kevin Durant altered or blocked the last two shots. Nice.

[miramar]

On two-point baskets, Team USA outshot Spain 65% to 52% (28/43 vs. 22/42), although the threes were pretty even (USA 5/18 for 28%-Spain 6/21 for 29%).

On FTs, Spain shot 24/29 (83%) to 14/18 (78%), with that 10 point advantage caused by the US getting 24 fouls vs. 17 for Spain. The US also had 14 turnovers vs. 7 for Spain.

The US had a 29 to 24 rebound advantage, but only 2 on the offensive end vs. 5 for Spain.

The US had 2 assists vs. 7 for Spain.

These may be preliminary numbers that get cleaned up a bit.

http://www.elpais.com/deportes/baloncesto/partido/Espa%C3%B1a-Estados-Unidos-06253_00_38_08000_08208?st=7

[Underdog5]

Am I the only person that thinks FIBA basketball has a clear anti-US bias? The excessive contact, the blatant moving ball screens on the pick and roll (nearly impossible to defend a dribbler if he has a blocker), the World Cup style flopping on offense... I mean the refs actually had Coach worked up for an exhibition game!

Anyway, I think this is a pretty strong win for this team. Sure Spain played without Pau but we played without everybody. I know its exhibition but still a pretty solid win.

[left_hook_lacey]

If I had to choose, I would let Billups go based on the play I saw yesterday and today.

Billups might not be making flashy plays like Rose or Westbrook, but he brings a lot of intangibles to this very young team. He .can still shoot the ball, and knows the game inside and out. He's basically Coach K's eyes and ears on the court, and K knows that.

Today's game against Spain was a perfect example. Westbrook and Rose started getting a little out of control when Spain was making its second comeback of the game, and those two made a lot of careless turnovers. K immediately put Billups in for Westbrook because Billups knows how to control the game.

[left_hook_lacey]

Am I the only person that thinks FIBA basketball has a clear anti-US bias? The excessive contact, the blatant moving ball screens on the pick and roll (nearly impossible to defend a dribbler if he has a blocker), the World Cup style flopping on offense... I mean the refs actually had Coach worked up for an exhibition game!

Anyway, I think this is a pretty strong win for this team. Sure Spain played without Pau but we played without everybody. I know its exhibition but still a pretty solid win.

I'm not sure if you're saying that FIBA is anti-US in its officiating against US, or if the rules are set up to make it harder for the US to adapt to the international game. I would have to agree with the latter. I don't think the refs intentionally try to single the US out, but FIBA's rules are a lot different in some areas and it's hard to break old habits for a professional athlete.

That being said, I would like to see the NBA get tougher on traveling calls. I've been screaming that for years but it seems it's only gotten worse. They kept repeating the FIBA rule today during the game, stating a player can't lift his pivot foot until the ball hits the ground. I thought that was rule, period. Not just in FIBA.

That's how I've always understood the rule, but our US players seem to be amazed every time they're called for traveling in a FIBA game. They've gotten away with traveling for so long, they don't really understand the fundamental rule anymore. I think it's something the NBA should crack down on, and it will help our players in international games in years to come.

[Indoor66]

Billups might not be making flashy plays like Rose or Westbrook, but he brings a lot of intangibles to this very young team. He .can still shoot the ball, and knows the game inside and out. He's basically Coach K's eyes and ears on the court, and K knows that.

Today's game against Spain was a perfect example. Westbrook and Rose started getting a little out of control when Spain was making its second comeback of the game, and those two made a lot of careless turnovers. K immediately put Billups in for Westbrook because Billups knows how to control the game.

I understand your thinking, but in the last two games I only saw him drive into traffic and throw the ball away, miss shots, get beat - regularly - on defense and smile a lot. I don't the intangibles outweigh the lack of tangibles.

[Reilly]

In the NBA, ball must be out of hand, so if in FIBA ball must hit the floor, FIBA tougher.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_4.html?nav=ArticleList

Section VIII-Pivot
a. A pivot takes place when a player, who is holding the ball, steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, with the other foot (pivot foot) in contact with the floor.
b. If the player wishes to dribble after a pivot, the ball must be out of his hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor. If the player raises his pivot off the floor, he must pass or attempt a field goal. If he fails to follow these guidelines, he has committed a traveling violation.

[G man]

I thought we need to do a better job protecting the ball. Way to many turnovers for an elite team, but I will give them a break it is early yet. When it is all said and done I think what will cost us a gold medal is the fact that we are to small. I think things will look better when the chemistry improves that will help the ball movement as well. I just hope we can hit enough outside shots to protect our small front line. What a weird game

[RoyalBlue08]

After maintaining a comfortable lead for most of the first half, team USA was down one near the end and needed two free throws by Derrick Rose with 16 seconds to go to win. Coach K and staff were able to call timeout and set the defense for the final possession and Kevin Durant altered or blocked the last two shots. Nice.

And by setting the defense, Coack K decided to go zone for the first time in the game, which shut down the pick and roll that Spain was killing us with in the 4th quarter. I get the feeling that this is a sign of things to come, with the US going to a lot more zone to combat the best teams set plays when the games "count". The number of long, athletic guys that the US has would make for a pretty intimidating zone....and there is a guy on the bench that knows a thing or two about the zone too. :)

[G man]

I understand your thinking, but in the last two games I only saw him drive into traffic and throw the ball away, miss shots, get beat - regularly - on defense and smile a lot. I don't the intangibles outweigh the lack of tangibles.

Chauncey is a shooter never forget that. He is a shoot first PG. Just like college where you need Senior leadership international ball you need veterans. This current squad is lacking some old men. We need Chauncey to be what he is hopefully he can cut down on the dumb shots and poor passes. We have to remember that NBA guys respect older vet's. We need him more than we need Eric Gordon.

[left_hook_lacey]

In the NBA, ball must be out of hand, so if in FIBA ball must hit the floor, FIBA tougher.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_4.html?nav=ArticleList

Section VIII-Pivot
a. A pivot takes place when a player, who is holding the ball, steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, with the other foot (pivot foot) in contact with the floor.
b. If the player wishes to dribble after a pivot, the ball must be out of his hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor. If the player raises his pivot off the floor, he must pass or attempt a field goal. If he fails to follow these guidelines, he has committed a traveling violation.

Right, so I think we can all agree that traveling goes uncalled a lot in the NBA. It has become a running joke actually. So if the NBA rule is even more relaxed than the FIBA rule and our NBA players routinely blur the line on traveling in NBA games, it is expected they're going to have big problems with traveling in the FIBA games. I think the NBA should crack-down and enforce its own rule, or even dare I say, adapt the FIBA rule.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I get the feeling that this is a sign of things to come, with the US going to a lot more zone to combat the best teams set plays when the games "count". :)
From ESPN, in a preview of today's game answering how important it is...

On one level, it is completely unimportant. It is nothing more than an exhibition, but Krzyzewski assured a group of inquisitive Spanish reporters that the Americans will be playing to win -- although they'll also be trying to work on offensive and defensive schemes that they are only now starting to introduce at practices.
"This Sunday will be a big game, but it won't be bigger than the games we play in Turkey, and that's what we have to gear ourselves for. All the games in Turkey are bigger than any game here, or in Athens [where the Americans will play the Greeks next Wednesday]," Krzyzewski said.

[left_hook_lacey]

I understand your thinking, but in the last two games I only saw him drive into traffic and throw the ball away, miss shots, get beat - regularly - on defense and smile a lot. I don't the intangibles outweigh the lack of tangibles.

I'll agree with you on a that point. The game I watched yesterday was definitely not Chauncey's best game with team USA, but he was a little better today.

Let's not forget, he's playing the 2 the majority of the games which is not his natural position. IMO, the coaching staff wants him on the team and the floor bad enough to play him out of position.

Since we're on the topic of the guards on the team, how do you guys feel about Stephen Curry making the team? I for one really want to see him make it. I know he hasn't played his best the past couple games, but I think he's a very smart player and we all know he's a dangerous shooter. I think the more he plays with this team and within the FIBA guidelines the better and better he'll get.

[devildeac]

WOW...what a finish. Spain had possession with 15 seconds left and could not get a shot. Well, they tried but were blocked.

Must not have been Russian refs...;)

[Dev11]

After maintaining a comfortable lead for most of the first half, team USA was down one near the end and needed two free throws by Derrick Rose with 16 seconds to go to win. Coach K and staff were able to call timeout and set the defense for the final possession and Kevin Durant altered or blocked the last two shots. Nice.

That's a neat new trick! K must have shown him that, since we know he didn't learn that during his D-League season in Memphis (which, really, didn't exist).

Slightly off topic, I'm sorry, but I'm surprised nobody else picked that one up.

Great win for K and the squad

[juise]

Sheridan: Krzyzewski plays his strongest hand (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TeamUSA-100822)


So he tipped his cards a little by making the change to the starting lineup. And he tipped them a little more by sticking so strongly with his starters, playing Durant for 38 minutes, Rose for 32, Odom for 29, Iguodala for 27 and Billups for 24. Aside from Rondo, Danny Granger and Kevin Love also did not log a single minute.

If he thinks K's rotation is short in exhibition play... just way until the team starts conference play. ;) By tourney time, he'll be down the seven. We're doomed! :p

[Greg_Newton]

In the NBA, ball must be out of hand, so if in FIBA ball must hit the floor, FIBA tougher.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_4.html?nav=ArticleList

Section VIII-Pivot
a. A pivot takes place when a player, who is holding the ball, steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, with the other foot (pivot foot) in contact with the floor.
b. If the player wishes to dribble after a pivot, the ball must be out of his hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor. If the player raises his pivot off the floor, he must pass or attempt a field goal. If he fails to follow these guidelines, he has committed a traveling violation.

This is the way the FIBA refs call it (as opposed to NBA refs who don't actually call that kind of travel), which I actually like. If a player catches the ball, plants his left foot and jab steps with his right, he shouldn't be able to explode to the right side unless he takes a quick short dribble before he lifts his left foot. That's lazy basketball, but it's become so commonplace that we're used to seeing it.

Dick DeVenzio must roll over in his grave every time an NBA player pivots with the wrong foot at the top of the key before he drives... :p

[_Gary]

Well, I have to completely disagree with K not playing Rondo at all yesterday. If the game against Spain really was him "tipping his hat" about his primary players, then I think he is making a huge mistake in keeping Rose as his primary point to the exclusion of Rondo. No one on this USA team can get easier baskets, when needed, that Rajon. I know he's an old Kentucky guy, but he's still a great player and I can't for the life of me wonder what K is thinking going almost exclusively with Rose. That just doesn't make any sense to me personally. And don't tell me Rose is just that much better than Rondo on defense either, because that's certainly not true.

Hopefully just an aberration.

[roywhite]

Well, I have to completely disagree with K not playing Rondo at all yesterday. If the game against Spain really was him "tipping his hat" about his primary players, then I think he is making a huge mistake in keeping Rose as his primary point to the exclusion of Rondo. No one on this USA team can get easier baskets, when needed, that Rajon. I know he's an old Kentucky guy, but he's still a great player and I can't for the life of me wonder what K is thinking going almost exclusively with Rose. That just doesn't make any sense to me personally. And don't tell me Rose is just that much better than Rondo on defense either, because that's certainly not true.

Hopefully just an aberration.

Haven't read anything about Rondo being injured or other specific issue...he didn't play very well against Lithuania. I expect Rondo to play and be an important part of the team. IMO Rose is the best guard on the roster.

[Duke of Nashville]

Well, I have to completely disagree with K not playing Rondo at all yesterday. If the game against Spain really was him "tipping his hat" about his primary players, then I think he is making a huge mistake in keeping Rose as his primary point to the exclusion of Rondo. No one on this USA team can get easier baskets, when needed, that Rajon. I know he's an old Kentucky guy, but he's still a great player and I can't for the life of me wonder what K is thinking going almost exclusively with Rose. That just doesn't make any sense to me personally. And don't tell me Rose is just that much better than Rondo on defense either, because that's certainly not true.

Hopefully just an aberration.

Rajon Rondo does not have a jump shot that he can shoot consistantly. I also think Derek Rose brings a physicality to the court that Rajon can not provide. After watching the Lithuania game I can see why Derek was getting more PT againgst Spain.

[_Gary]

We'll agree to disagree on the comparability of Rondo and Rose. I agree that Rondo is definitely the weak link in the guard rotation when it comes to the outside shot. Every guard on the roster is one up on him there. And yes, that's huge in International play. But I do not see Rose bringing more aggressive, in your face, defense than Rondo. I don't see him as being a better penetrater and finisher than Rondo. And I don't see him being a better distributor than Rondo. So in my mind the only thing Rose has a slight advantage over Rondo on is the shooting. And heck, even there Rose is second worst among the guards in terms of his outside shot. I'm talking percentages in these games, because I've not looked at them. But from what I know about each guard on this team the only one worse at the outside shot than Rose is Rondo.

[Greg_Newton]

Well, I have to completely disagree with K not playing Rondo at all yesterday. If the game against Spain really was him "tipping his hat" about his primary players, then I think he is making a huge mistake in keeping Rose as his primary point to the exclusion of Rondo. No one on this USA team can get easier baskets, when needed, that Rajon. I know he's an old Kentucky guy, but he's still a great player and I can't for the life of me wonder what K is thinking going almost exclusively with Rose. That just doesn't make any sense to me personally. And don't tell me Rose is just that much better than Rondo on defense either, because that's certainly not true.

Hopefully just an aberration.

I don't think Rondo has the strength Rose has when he explodes to the rim, but I agree that he's a great player and a winner. I think his most valuable asset may be his on-ball defense - there may not be anyone in the world that moves their feet quicker than him and Westbrook.

But in any case, I don't think you need to worry:


"[Stephen] Curry has been out, so we wanted to give him a chance and we already know what Rondo and Granger can do, and Love was out," Krzyzewski told reporters afterward. "That was our plan tonight, just to take a better look at our team."

----

As for Rondo, it appears he has done more than enough to earn the trust of Krzyzewski who spoke glowingly about the Celtic all-star last week when Team USA was training in New York City.

"We're going to be in some very difficult environments," Krzyzewski said at the time. "And Rondo . . . Rondo is as tough as anybody. He's trying to just lead our team, get everybody involved, play great defense and win. That's who he is."

[Duke of Nashville]

I don't think Rondo has the strength Rose has when he explodes to the rim, but I agree that he's a great player and a winner. I think his most valuable asset may be his on-ball defense - there may not be anyone in the world that moves their feet quicker than him and Westbrook.

But in any case, I don't think you need to worry:

Speaking of strength...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8aIT5BI0Bo&feature=related[

[BattierBattalion]

We'll agree to disagree on the comparability of Rondo and Rose. I agree that Rondo is definitely the weak link in the guard rotation when it comes to the outside shot. Every guard on the roster is one up on him there. And yes, that's huge in International play. But I do not see Rose bringing more aggressive, in your face, defense than Rondo. I don't see him as being a better penetrater and finisher than Rondo. And I don't see him being a better distributor than Rondo. So in my mind the only thing Rose has a slight advantage over Rondo on is the shooting. And heck, even there Rose is second worst among the guards in terms of his outside shot. I'm talking percentages in these games, because I've not looked at them. But from what I know about each guard on this team the only one worse at the outside shot than Rose is Rondo.

Rondo's lack of shooting prowess is debilitating in international play. His shot is considerably worse to Rose's.

Additionally, his penetration skills are essentially nullified by the international zone defense rules, which allow you to have a free defender in the paint.

So in sum, having Rondo is like having 4 vs. 5 on offense. I'm honestly surprised he's making the team. I would take Eric Gordon and Stephen Curry over him.

[roywhite]

After watching the USA---Spain game, I'm even more impressed with Ricky Rubio, who seems to be improving overall and on defense for sure. Professional pickpockets could learn something from him.

Our Kyrie Irving may be many things, but I'm pretty sure he's not the best teen-aged PG in the world....that would be young Mr. Rubio.

[RoyalBlue08]

Rondo's lack of shooting prowess is debilitating in international play. His shot is considerably worse to Rose's.

Additionally, his penetration skills are essentially nullified by the international zone defense rules, which allow you to have a free defender in the paint.

So in sum, having Rondo is like having 4 vs. 5 on offense. I'm honestly surprised he's making the team. I would take Eric Gordon and Stephen Curry over him.

I agree with this. I think K would be crazy to cut Curry, who is his best shooter. If it were me, I would drop Westbrook, who can also go quite cold with his jumpshot, and keep Rondo as a defensive specialist off the bench. (That being said, I have quite a bit of faith in the guy running the team to piece it together!)

[COYS]

I agree with this. I think K would be crazy to cut Curry, who is his best shooter. If it were me, I would drop Westbrook, who can also go quite cold with his jumpshot, and keep Rondo as a defensive specialist off the bench. (That being said, I have quite a bit of faith in the guy running the team to piece it together!)

I think that youth makes this decision particularly tough. Rondo, Curry, Westbrook, Rose, and Gordon are all very young players with limited experience at the senior national level. It remains to be seen just how much Rondo's lack of a shot or Rose's tendency to over-dribble or Curry's lack of bulk will actually affect them. Also, with FIBA rules changing to include NBA distance three point line and eventually the same rectangular lane, it stands to reason that a little bit more space will open up for guys like Rondo to get inside the three point line and and make things happen. It's tough that any of these guys has to get cut, but I wouldn't write off any of them, yet, for future international duty.

[SilkyJ]

Per Airowe's twitter:


RT @DimeMag: Jerry Colangelo: "Rajon came to us and said he was going to withdraw from the team."

[sleepybear]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/08/lamar-odom-eric-gordon-make-final-cut-on-usa-mens-hoops-team.html

I am bit surprised that it was Rondo cut instead of Gordon.

edit: Rondo withdrew. (worn out?)

[arydolphin]

It's official, Rajon Rondo is the final cut from the roster, although this article states that he "withdrew" from the team. Curious wording there.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5493184

[superdave]

They were PG heavy, so keeping Gordon and Curry makes sense. Also, Rondo has a few major liabilities in his game, namely free throws and his jumper.

[_Gary]

I think it's both a shame and a huge mistake (not on Rondo's part - he clearly saw the writing on the wall, but our own beloved Coach K's), but we'll see how things play out. I just don't think Rondo is a weak link, outside shooting notwithstanding. I know personally I'd never take Rose and/or Westbrook over Rondo - even in International play. No way, no how. Having said that, of course my heart is 100% behind Team USA!

Gary

[pfrduke]

I think it's both a shame and a huge mistake (not on Rondo's part - he clearly saw the writing on the wall, but our own beloved Coach K's), but we'll see how things play out. I just don't think Rondo is a weak link, outside shooting notwithstanding. I know personally I'd never take Rose and/or Westbrook over Rondo - even in International play. No way, no how. Having said that, of course my heart is 100% behind Team USA!

Gary

Well, there's no way to know if K was going to cut Rondo. I agree with you w/r/t Westbrook (although certainly not Rose), but Rondo also took everything out of the coaches' hands.

And there's no question that his shooting is a huge weakness and his magnificent penetrating ability is at least somewhat nullified by international rules.

[roywhite]

Well, I was thinking Rondo was in some jeopardy of being the last cut, so the news is not terribly surprising. Credit to him, and others, who have gone through this process to help build a strong USA team.

I'm a casual NBA fan (and Okla. City is not on much anyway) but I've been taken with what an athletic, dyanmic player Westbrook is. He makes things happen, usually good.

Looking foward to seeing the team take on Greece before the tournament; should be another gauge of progress. This is going to be a tough tournament for the USA to win, no doubt.

[BD80]

Well, I was thinking Rondo was in some jeopardy of being the last cut, so the news is not terribly surprising. Credit to him, and others, who have gone through this process to help build a strong USA team. ...

Didn't Billups withdraw before the last cut in 2008? I think the staff gave Rondo the news and let him "withdraw," just like Chauncey did. They probably also told him that they want him to remain a part of the US team, just like Chauncey did.

The real reason Rajon didn't make it is because he is from UK and Coach K still harbors bad feelings toward the program.

Please don't make me put a smiley there! That level of sarcasm should be self-evident!

I don't think Rondo fit into the offensive scheme, which requires spacing and shooters. Defenses can back away from Rondo, which hurts our spacing.

[BattierBattalion]

It's amazing the disparity between how good Rondo is in the NBA vs. International rules. His penetration, distribution skills, and defensive anticipation make him a top 5 NBA point guard. The zone defense and hand-checking/physicality of the FIBA rules make him merely average on the International stage. His shot is a complete liability against zone, his defensive ability is nullified by the allowance of hand-checking and to be more physical, and he can't penetrate against 2-3 zones. That all said, I hope this was a cordial separation, and I'll be rooting for both the US team and Rondo as a Celtic. I think in the end, Westbrook's physical strength and Rose's outside shot sealed the deal.

Also, apologies if this has already been brought up in the thread, but I wanted to bring up the point of how similar this USA basketball team is to Duke next year. Both teams have hot shooting backcourts with frontcourt deer-like-athletes. Both have a goto "3" guy (Durant and Singler) in half-court sets. Both will rely on a faster pace with the transition game as the main way to score. Both will be pressing a lot. I really think this USA basketball experience will help K a lot in piecing together Duke 2010-11.

[jipops]

Rondo being cut/withdrawing makes basketball sense with the makeup of this team. Westbrook has shown himself to be very versatile on the offensive end and has fit in well with USA's offensive scheme and constant mode of attack. Curry can spell either guard slot. Gordon has shown he can be a solid insurance policy as a long range shooter and physical guard. Rondo doesn't really fit into any of these roles. Perhaps if the US team had more bigs that could score, or just plain more bigs, then he would have found a better fit. But given this is a perimeter heavy team that wants to run and look for shooters at so many positions on the floor then it seems to make sense that he is the one getting cut. I really don't think this is a dis to Rondo. Basketball is played in so many different ways and some guys just find a fit better than others. Doesn't necessarily mean they aren't as good.

[Billy Dat]

The Rondo news was dissapointing to me. I didn't see the Lithuania game, and I guess he didn't play well, but he was great against France. The DNP against Spain was really surprising. Who knows what went on behind the scene? Maybe the potential of not starting bugged him. Despite his youth, I feel like he's one of the few proven winners on that team.....I am bummed he's out.