USA NT 2012

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[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1321383071' post='36058']

Straight, I'm not sure yet. It is very hard to determine the 1 spot. If we use players who have committed to 2012 then the roster is stacked. All the players you listed have committed or showed high interest. Also A'mare Stoudemire, Rudy Gay, Andre Igudola etc. USA basketball has reported about 40 players have made commitments. Another 15 show high interest. I'm guessing the final roster will be like this:

C – Howard, Chandler/McGee/Aldridge.

PF – Stoudemire, Griffin, Love, Bosh.

SF – Durant, James, Anthony.

SG – Bryant, Wade.'

PG – Williams, Paul, Rose/Westbrook.

*The bolded players are locked

*Underlined means either or. Only one of these players are going.





PG:

When thinking of Team USA we have been known to take 3 PG. OLY 2008 Kidd, Paul, Deron Williams WC 2010 Rose, Westbrook, Curry, Billiups. Westbrook had the best showing of PG in WC 2010. If I was guessing it would be Williams, Paul Rose, Westbrook. It all depends if they are taking 3 or 4 PG.



Center:

Howard is a lock. After him is chandler. We do have two more explosive Centers in Javele McGee and LaMarcus Aldridge. Javele McGee may be the next big Center in USA.



If it was up to me my roster would look something like this. If you notice I would leave Kobe off the roster. Howard and Chandler are solid centers. Mcgee is an amazing rebounder and defender. Aldridge can score at will around the basket. Griffin and love are amazing rebounders. Love can hit the 3pt. Bosh or A'mare would work well in FIBA play. They can both shoot the outside jump shoot very well. Overall I don't see a big weakness in this team. PG are all solid Rose and Westbrooks have the exact same stats and efficiency. Durant, James, Wade can all score in droves and play elite defense. Paul and Deron Williams are smart crafty players. It's hard to pick 12 players.



C – Howard, Chandler, McGee/Aldridge.

PF – Stoudemire/Bosh, Griffin, Love.

SF – Durant, James.

SG – Gay, Wade.'

PG – Williams, Paul, Rose, Westbrook.

*Slash / means one or the other. I couldn't decide.

[/quote]



Raze, I think that we are somewhat on the same page in terms of not taking 100% of the best individual players but trying to assemble the best overall team but have different approaches as to what that team would look like.



In my opinion the US is dangerously close to returning to its past behaviors that were so devestating in the last decade whereby it takes an all star team of the best players available simply because they're the best players available. I blame this attitude on the success of the redeem team. After the 2010 WC there was all kinds of discussion over whether the 2012 team would be the same team that just won the World Championship or whether the superstars of the redeem team would return. Coach K and Colangelo have made it pretty clear that for the most part it will be the latter.



Team USA needs an identity and this "let's repeat the Dream Team with All Stars" bull shit needs to stop. After the 2006 exit, all the discussion was about "Where was Michael Redd? Where was Taysuan Price?" Remember those days? Greece exposed the US' weakness and all the focus was on finding very talented role players to fill the void. Guess, what, both of those guys made the 2008 Olympic roster but because their skill set wasn't required in any individual game, the US dove straight back to complacency. We're just asking to get upset in 2012.



I seriously doubt that this Team USA will revert back to the struggles of the 2004 team but 2006 is a VERY realistic scenario. I don't think that Spain will beat the US, Team USA respects them too much and will come out prepared. Additionally, I don't think that a team like France can beat the US (France plays an athletic style of play with many players in the NBA, basically they are a poor man's version of the US). I do, however, believe that the US is extremely exposed against second tier teams like Russia, Lithuania, Greece and Brazil.



Last decade Team USA assembled All Star teams, now Team USA assembles All Star teams. The main difference is that back in the day players were declining Team USA invites, now they are lining up for the chance to play. Additionally, Team USA now has some continuity in both player pool and coach but I am not at all convinced that the current player pool has a true sense that they can easily be beaten. Moreover, I think that the role of Jason Kidd was ridiculously underrated in 2008. He was the pass first leader that kept that group together. Who will play that Jason Kidd role on the proposed 2012 roster?



On that note here is my 12 men for London. Note: Coach K and Colangelo will not agree with my proposal.



Team Identity: Kevin Durant's Gritty, Scrappy, Bruisers.



C: Howard*, Aldridge, B. Lopez

PF: Love, Griffin

SF: Durant, James*

SG: Bryant*, E. Gordon

PG: D. Williams*, Wall, Westbrook



* Denotes pretentious egomaniac who is a risk to the team if they are not kept in check



First, nobody has been able to stop Durant at the international level. He was a beast in 2010. Why be your own worst enemy by limiting Durant's touches with players who think they are on his level but quite frankly are not? Since it is a tournament, the team needs depth but not as much depth is required as in the World Championship and I think the group above is a sufficient mix to get through London.



I really liked the 2010 team, but they were vulnerable. If anybody would have managed to shut down Durant, the US was exposed. Bringing in Kobe and to a lesser extent LeBron eases that pressure just enough for comfort.



I have limited my roster to 4 egomaniacs. Dwight and Kobe are full of themselves but they back it up with their play. I couldn't ask more out of either player, especially on defense so I'm happy to put up with their crap. LeBron is LeBron but he is the most versatile player in the world and for the reason, I take him. Deron is also full of himself but he is a physical PG that creates matchup problems and I like the fact that he was quick to come over to Europe and I think that his time in Turkey is valuable on the international stage.



I like my starting five, I think that they epitomize scrappy, hard nosed play and still allow Durant to be Durant.



If any team has success banging with those guys then I put the young explosive backups of Wall, Gordon and Griffin on the court and let them run and gun. The main reason for taking these guys along with Brook Lopez is that I see them as future players for the national team so it gives them exposure, fills a critical role player positions for us and I can't see any of these guys kicking and screaming over playing time.



Aldridge is another big man who can help spread the floor and Westbrook, like LeBron, is on the team for his versatility.



On a different topic, congrats to Coach K for victory number 903!!! He deserves this record.