[Raze Lupin]

TeoTheGreek13, on 17 January 2012 - 08:15 PM, said:

You got some good points there, about zone defense etc.

I just want to say that you underrate the Greek NT. Ofcourse it's not your fault because the last 2 years we had bad teams in comparizon with our previous rosters.
This summer though, we'll have a full roster with the exception of Diamantidis.

I believe we'll do very good(with full roster ofcourse)!

***Serbia and Turkey won't play in the Olympics.

Yeah I know Greece has talent. I just did not know the national situation so I can't comment. I know if they bring a full roster they can win. Koufos is coming along of in NBA with USA.

Yeah I know the other teams did not make the Olympics. I just mentioned them because they have great players.

[stefans]

Raze Lupin, on 17 January 2012 - 06:46 PM, said:

Serbia: Serbia is only having organizational growing pains. The new KK is headed in the right direction. Serbia has a rich talent pool. I'm sure by 2014 WC Serbia will figure it out. Hopefully....

I will say more like 2018 on WC

About Italy they don't have still competitive team for even TOP 8 European teams.

[Raze Lupin]

stefans, on 17 January 2012 - 11:36 PM, said:

I will say more like 2018 on WC

About Italy they don't have still competitive team for even TOP 8 European teams.

Come on man don't you think Serbia will be solid in 2014?

[Raze Lupin]

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is disappointed of his non-inclusion in the national pool. Curry was a member of the United States national team that won the 2010 FIBA World Championships.

Curry Disappointed about Team USA

It should be noted that Curry has a recurring ankle injury and could be a liability. His early season success shows he is developing into a premier point guard. There is no one that comes to mind that is quite like him. Well no American that comes to mind.

[Raze Lupin]

Kobe Bryant is ready for the 2012 London Olympics.

Kobe Bryant eager for 2012 Olympics

Here is my favorite Kobe quote from the article:

Quote

Kobe Bryant stood at his locker and stared directly at his competition.(Pau Gasol)

Bryant, one of the 20 finalists for the 2012 Team USA squad, said there's a specific reason he's "looking forward to it."

"I'm definitely going to be there," Bryant said, "because I sure as hell am not going to let that guy win it."

Kobe vs Pau 2012

[TeoTheGreek13]

Raze Lupin, on 18 January 2012 - 04:37 PM, said:

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is disappointed of his non-inclusion in the national pool. Curry was a member of the United States national team that won the 2010 FIBA World Championships.

Curry Disappointed about Team USA

It should be noted that Curry has a recurring ankle injury and could be a liability. His early season success shows he is developing into a premier point guard. There is no one that comes to mind that is quite like him. Well no American that comes to mind.

Even if he was included in the pool, he wouldn't stand a chance of entering the team. But for sure he should be disappointed.

If I was coach K I'd pick:
PG's
Derrick Rose
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook(over Deron just because Russel deserves it more in terms of what he'll have done by the end of the season. Deron is on the second worst team in the NBA)

SG's
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade

SF's
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony

PF's
Kevin Love
Blake Griffin
LaMarcus Aldridge(I think he deserves at last and... I hate Bosh...!)

C's
Dwight Howard

[Raze Lupin]

TeoTheGreek13, on 18 January 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

Even if he was included in the pool, he wouldn't stand a chance of entering the team. But for sure he should be disappointed.

If I was coach K I'd pick:
PG's
Derrick Rose
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook(over Deron just because Russel deserves it more in terms of what he'll have done by the end of the season. Deron is on the second worst team in the NBA)

SG's
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade

SF's
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony

PF's
Kevin Love
Blake Griffin
LaMarcus Aldridge(I think he deserves at last and... I hate Bosh...!)

C's
Dwight Howard

Teo do you think Blake Griffin should stay home and take Tyson Chandler instead? Blake's offense is still developing. His jump shot is weak and he is bad for zone defense. I went to college (Oklahoma University) with Blake and his brother Taylor so I'm a fan BUT maybe its not his time to rep his country. He would be great in the open floor catching lobs and dunking.

[Raze Lupin]

I think I'm the only one on the planet who thinks that USA will lose one game if in a strong Group. I also believe USA has only a 70% chance of winning gold medal on 2012.

[TeoTheGreek13]

Raze Lupin, on 18 January 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

Teo do you think Blake Griffin should stay home and take Tyson Chandler instead? Blake's offense is still developing. His jump shot is weak and he is bad for zone defense. I went to college (Oklahoma University) with Blake and his brother Taylor so I'm a fan BUT maybe its not his time to rep his country. He would be great in the open floor catching lobs and dunking.

If I had to leave Blake home, I wouldn't pick Tyson instead but Amar'e!
I hate Griffin as a player(bottom 3 in FT% in the NBA and bad shooter) but the truth is that he can affect the game in other ways. For example, if the other team doesn't double team him, he will probably dunk on the guy that guards him. Also, I'd take him for the show!
USA team will have other players to offer the substance!

I thik that 2 out of USA's big men(PF+C) will be the 11th and 12th player(like Redd and Boozer in 2008--they won't play in the big gmes).
They will play a lot with LeBron at PF. First off all, they can do it and secondly, you have to satisfy your backcourt+SF superstars!!!

This post has been edited by TeoTheGreek13: 18 January 2012 - 05:33 PM

[Raze Lupin]

TeoTheGreek13, on 18 January 2012 - 05:31 PM, said:

If I had to leave Blake home, I wouldn't pick Tyson instead but Amar'e!
I hate Griffin as a player(bottom 3 in FT% in the NBA and bad shooter) but the truth is that he can affect the game in other ways. For example, if the other team doesn't double team him, he will probably dunk on the guy that guards him. Also, I'd take him for the show!
USA team will have other players to offer the substance!

I thik that 2 out of USA's big men(PF+C) will be the 11th and 12th player(like Redd and Boozer in 2008--they won't play in the big gmes).
They will play a lot with LeBron at PF. First off all, they can do it and secondly, you have to satisfy your backcourt+SF superstars!!!

Yeah I agree. your probably right about that. Love and Griffin will not get much playing time.

[Raze Lupin]

USA has a problem with injuries to its 2012 Olympic training roster. Looks like injuries could keep the following guards out of the Olympics;
Kobe Bryant(wrist tendons)
Eric Gordon (knee surgery)
Derrick Rose (back spasms)
Chauncey Billups (Achilles rupture).

With the condensed season more injuries to team USA training roster are likely. I think possible replacements should be:
#1Rajon Rondo, No particular order;Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, Kyle Lowery, jeremy Lin, Monta Ellis

[TeoTheGreek13]

Raze Lupin, on 17 February 2012 - 12:20 AM, said:

USA has a problem with injuries to its 2012 Olympic training roster. Looks like injuries could keep the following guards out of the Olympics;
Kobe Bryant(wrist tendons)
Eric Gordon (knee surgery)
Derrick Rose (back spasms)
Chauncey Billups (Achilles rupture).

With the condensed season more injuries to team USA training roster are likely. I think possible replacements should be:
#1Rajon Rondo, No particular order;Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, Kyle Lowery, jeremy Lin, Monta Ellis

The last thing that the US NT should worry about is injuries. I mean, your depth is ridiculous.

*I thought that Lin would play with the Chinese NT...
Anyway, Lin to the US NT??? Are you kidding me?! You may have Westbrook, you don't need two turnover machines at your PG position.

[Black Urum]

Rose injury is screwing my NBA fantasy team as well.

As for Billups, isn't he done anyway?

[Raze Lupin]

Black Urum, on 17 February 2012 - 07:56 AM, said:

Rose injury is screwing my NBA fantasy team as well.

As for Billups, isn't he done anyway?

Billups is definitively done now. He was selected for his veteran leadership. He's done.

Rose back problems and other injuries should keep him from NT. He is a fool if he plays for the NT and has injuries. USA shouldn't send any injured players to the Olympics. Yeah Rose is messing up everyone's fantasy team!

This post has been edited by Raze Lupin: 17 February 2012 - 07:23 PM

[Raze Lupin]

TeoTheGreek13, on 17 February 2012 - 03:37 AM, said:

The last thing that the US NT should worry about is injuries. I mean, your depth is ridiculous.

*I thought that Lin would play with the Chinese NT...
Anyway, Lin to the US NT??? Are you kidding me?! You may have Westbrook, you don't need two turnover machines at your PG position.

USA can't get to cocky or comfortable here. We could have 5 players out. Chris Paul is also a candidate to be out because of his high usage rate. Imagine USA without any floor generals. Rose, Chris paul, Chauncey Billups all out. Kobe out, Eric Gordon out, Steph Curry already out. That leaves us with Rondo and Westbrook then add a second tier guy like Ty lawson or Ray Felton.

[Raze Lupin]

Lamar Odom is considering retirement. That's another possible absence from the 2012 preliminary squad.

[Raze Lupin]

Here is a look at USA Basketball has a new logo.

This post has been edited by Raze Lupin: 28 February 2012 - 01:34 PM

[Raze Lupin]

What do you think of TEAM USA Basketball has new jerseys??

[TeoTheGreek13]

^^^I like these jerseys!!!

[straight forward]

I don't like it. Too angular and that makes static impression and players look robotic. Only opinion.