*USA Basketball* WOMEN EARN GOLD v. ESP (101-72)! MEN EARN GOLD v. SRB (96-66)!

Originally Posted by dmbrhs

Originally Posted by 23ska909red02

nawlinsjunkie:
Don't underestimate how good other national teams have become. That's the mentality that got us the bronze medal in 04
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False.

What got us bronze in 2004 was not being able to send our original roster, because they bailed, for various reasons. Of the original 12 we were supposed to send to Athens in 2004, the only 2 that went where Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan. Players like Kidd, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal, and Kevin Garnett bailed, some at the last minute, and that forced the Team USA powers that be to put together a roster of players who were basically 'willing and good enough'.

LeBron, Wade, and Carmelo were all on the roster, after just one year in the NBA. Emeka Okafor ain't have a damn clue what he was doing with himself.
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Richard Jefferson and Stephon Marbury were out there for crying out loud.
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It wouldn't have mattered who went in 2004. Team USA was increasingly ill-prepared for international competition. They were a bricked three away from no gold in 2000 (you know, with Vince, Ray, Kidd, Garnett, Payton, etc.), and the final wasn't a cakewalk either. They finished 6th at Worlds in 2002. Granted it wasn't the greatest collection of talent in the world, but the writing was on the wall for 2004. They still finished third in 2006 with a stronger team.

Until Coach K and Colangelo came along there was no real USA Basketball managing organization so there was never ANY continuity
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because the common thought was we could just throw together whatever NBA players and coaches we wanted and we would win.... It would be like an NBA franchise going into the off season with a whole different front office, coaching, and even players
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 With Colangelo having a nice pool of players year in and year out committed to at least the training camp, regardless of making the team or not, we will have players that at least have some familiarity playing with each other and having somewhat experience of playing with FIBA rules and what not.  Andnow with Coach K, we have the foundation of respecting the opponent first no matter what.  And with that basis, our goal is to never play down to the level of the opponent. Its not even arguable that our team's individual talent is vastly superior to all other countries. So with that basic mindset Coach K is trying to maintain a high level of play and effort no matter what.

2006, although we lost, the team learned a whole lot about each other, Coach K, and the international playing style. If anything the loss to Greece probably taught the biggest lesson to Coach K on how to coach and grind em out, p&r p&p offense and basically how to adjust to the international style of play.
 
Originally Posted by rck2sactown

Originally Posted by dmbrhs

Originally Posted by 23ska909red02

False.

What got us bronze in 2004 was not being able to send our original roster, because they bailed, for various reasons. Of the original 12 we were supposed to send to Athens in 2004, the only 2 that went where Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan. Players like Kidd, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal, and Kevin Garnett bailed, some at the last minute, and that forced the Team USA powers that be to put together a roster of players who were basically 'willing and good enough'.

LeBron, Wade, and Carmelo were all on the roster, after just one year in the NBA. Emeka Okafor ain't have a damn clue what he was doing with himself.
laugh.gif
Richard Jefferson and Stephon Marbury were out there for crying out loud.
laugh.gif
Click to expand...
It wouldn't have mattered who went in 2004. Team USA was increasingly ill-prepared for international competition. They were a bricked three away from no gold in 2000 (you know, with Vince, Ray, Kidd, Garnett, Payton, etc.), and the final wasn't a cakewalk either. They finished 6th at Worlds in 2002. Granted it wasn't the greatest collection of talent in the world, but the writing was on the wall for 2004. They still finished third in 2006 with a stronger team.
Click to expand...
Until Coach K and Colangelo came along there was no real USA Basketball managing organization so there was never ANY continuity
laugh.gif
because the common thought was we could just throw together whatever NBA players and coaches we wanted and we would win.... It would be like an NBA franchise going into the off season with a whole different front office, coaching, and even players
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
 With Colangelo having a nice pool of players year in and year out committed to at least the training camp, regardless of making the team or not, we will have players that at least have some familiarity playing with each other and having somewhat experience of playing with FIBA rules and what not.  Andnow with Coach K, we have the foundation of respecting the opponent first no matter what.  And with that basis, our goal is to never play down to the level of the opponent. Its not even arguable that our team's individual talent is vastly superior to all other countries. So with that basic mindset Coach K is trying to maintain a high level of play and effort no matter what.

2006, although we lost, the team learned a whole lot about each other, Coach K, and the international playing style. If anything the loss to Greece probably taught the biggest lesson to Coach K on how to coach and grind em out, p&r p&p offense and basically how to adjust to the international style of play.
Click to expand...
Right on all accounts. The bronze in 2004 was a wake-up call, but the loss to Greece was more important. That was the best thing to ever happen to USA basketball.
 
Sources: Team USA to tap 20 finalists

When USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski reveal the roster finalists Monday for the 2012 Olympic team, there will be two more names than originally expected.

One source close to the process told ESPN.com on Sunday that Colangelo -- after saying earlier this month that he planned to announce 18 finalists no later than Jan. 18 -- has decided to nominate 20 finalists for the ultimate 12-man roster that will compete in London.

ESPN.com reported on Jan. 6 that four players from the 2008 Olympic team had already been ruled out of consideration for 2012 (Chicago's Carlos Boozer, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, Phoenix's Michael Redd and Dallas' Jason Kidd) and that Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin was "likely" the only player to be considered who wasn't part of the 2008 Olympic squad or the 2010 World Championships roster. SheridanHoops.com subsequently reported that Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge will join Griffin on USA Basketball's list of finalists.

If nothing has changed and Griffin and Aldridge are indeed on the 20-man roster to be unveiled at lunchtime Monday, that means two more players from the 2008 and 2010 squads have to be dropped along with Boozer, Prince, Redd and Kidd.

Eight holdovers from the 2008 gold-medal-winning team from Beijing are locks to be on Monday's list: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams.

The two players to be excised to make room for Griffin and Aldridge will thus come from the following 12-man roster, in alphabetical order, that won gold at the World Championships in Turkey: Chauncey Billups, Tyson Chandler, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, Danny Granger, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

Billups' spot would figure to be in jeopardy given not only his age (35) but Team USA's overwhelming depth at point guard. But Billups is the only obvious candidate to make way.

If there are no further surprises, that also means Amare Stoudemire, Rajon Rondo and Andrew Bynum will head the list of notable omissions. The final 12-man roster, with alternates, must be submitted June 18 before the NBA Finals will be complete, but the U.S. Olympic Committee has requested a firm list of finalists by the end of the month so all 20 players named Monday can be placed in the USOC's drug-testing program.

"We have so much talent right now," Colangelo told the Associated Press in a recent interview. "The pool is extraordinary."
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I cannot wait. LaMarcus would play really well in international style ball therefore I hope he makes the cut.
 
How is his post D??? Is he tough???? If so, I would love to have him on the squad
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Post defense is solid, imo. Could be sluggish at time but a capable defender. Definitely tough.
 
Please don't put Blake on the squad. That's all I ask for. He doesn't play a lick of defense AND doesn't stretch the floor (two absolutely vital components for international play). They can't afford to give up a PF spot to someone who's only there for alley-oops.
 
Originally Posted by dmbrhs

Please don't put Blake on the squad. That's all I ask for. He doesn't play a lick of defense AND doesn't stretch the floor (two absolutely vital components for international play). They can't afford to give up a PF spot to someone who's only there for alley-oops.
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I agree, the more I watch him play the more I
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at his lack of offensive game. Dude does the same face up, slow-mo cross every single time. And I don't think it has ever worked
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I like it except Deron has to be the 2 not Rose, they need another zone busting shooter or two for that matter. A lock down shooter, like the how the used Redd to bust up the zone and get them to play man, someone that can rain 3s all day.
 
Originally Posted by rck2sactown

Originally Posted by dmbrhs

Please don't put Blake on the squad. That's all I ask for. He doesn't play a lick of defense AND doesn't stretch the floor (two absolutely vital components for international play). They can't afford to give up a PF spot to someone who's only there for alley-oops.
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I agree, the more I watch him play the more I
30t6p3b.gif
at his lack of offensive game. Dude does the same face up, slow-mo cross every single time. And I don't think it has ever worked
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nice to know we can agree on something
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But seriously. I just want guys from the 2008 and 2010 squads. Guys with international experience. Rose, CP3, D-Will, Wade, Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo, Durant, Bosh, Howard....then pick from Gordon/Iggy and Love/Chandler. I personally would want Iggy and Love. Lockdown perimeter defense (as evident by 2010 Worlds with Iggy) combined with rebounding and the ability to stretch the floor (Love). The fact they'd be on the court with any of the PGs (disgustingly unfair), plus Durant/Carmelo/Lebron (equally unfair). Add Dwight and it's just a joke.
 
I could roll with Iggy. The dude definitely plays the role of a specialist. Love too with his 3 ball and rebounding.

PG: CP, Rose, D-Will

SG: Kobe, Wade

SF: Durant, Melo, Iggy

PF: Lebron, Love

C: Dwight, Bosh?

God damn. Suck it world.
 
they gotta put eric gordon on that squad. none of the guards are really 3 point shooters...
oh and yea i think kobe would have to die first for him to not play in the olympics lol especially if the lakers get eliminated early like alot of people think.

and bosh has earned his spot so stop the hate
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Originally Posted by dmbrhs

Originally Posted by 23ska909red02

nawlinsjunkie:
Don't underestimate how good other national teams have become. That's the mentality that got us the bronze medal in 04
laugh.gif
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
False.

What got us bronze in 2004 was not being able to send our original roster, because they bailed, for various reasons. Of the original 12 we were supposed to send to Athens in 2004, the only 2 that went where Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan. Players like Kidd, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal, and Kevin Garnett bailed, some at the last minute, and that forced the Team USA powers that be to put together a roster of players who were basically 'willing and good enough'.

LeBron, Wade, and Carmelo were all on the roster, after just one year in the NBA. Emeka Okafor ain't have a damn clue what he was doing with himself.
laugh.gif
Richard Jefferson and Stephon Marbury were out there for crying out loud.
laugh.gif
Click to expand...
It wouldn't have mattered who went in 2004. Team USA was increasingly ill-prepared for international competition. They were a bricked three away from no gold in 2000 (you know, with Vince, Ray, Kidd, Garnett, Payton, etc.), and the final wasn't a cakewalk either. They finished 6th at Worlds in 2002. Granted it wasn't the greatest collection of talent in the world, but the writing was on the wall for 2004. They still finished third in 2006 with a stronger team.

2004 Kobe would have made a huge difference
pimp.gif
 
ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein

USA Basketball announces 20 finalists for 2012 Olympic team. Steph Curry and Danny Granger make way for Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge


ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein

Source close to process says 2010 Worlds bigs Lamar Odom & Tyson Chandler both indeed on 20-man roster of USAB finalists to be announced MON




still think bynum AND harden should get a chance.. bynum wouldn't have to play a ton of mins (perfect for him AND lakers) and the SG position is weak after kobe/wade (2 guys i think won't even be going due to injuries or need for rest)
 
USA Basketball names men's Olympic finalists
By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAYUpdated 2m ago Comments
Reprints & PermissionsLos Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge are among the 20 finalists for Team USA's London Olympics roster who did not play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics or 2010 world championships in Turkey.

By Jayne Kamin-Oncea, US Presswire
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, and guard Chris Paul, right, are among the finalists for the U.S. men's basketball team roster for the London Olympics this summer.
EnlargeClose
By Jayne Kamin-Oncea, US Presswire
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, and guard Chris Paul, right, are among the finalists for the U.S. men's basketball team roster for the London Olympics this summer.
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USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and men's senior national team coach Mike Krzyzewski announced the finalists Monday.

The others, all part of gold medal teams in China or Turkey:

Forwards — New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, Miami Heat's LeBron James and Chris Bosh, Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, Memphis Grizzlies' Rudy Gay, Philadelphia 76ers' Andre Iguodala, Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love and Dallas Mavericks' Lamar Odom.

Guards — Clippers' Chauncey Billups and Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, New Orleans Hornets' Eric Gordon, Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, Heat's Dwyane Wade, Thunder's Russell Westbrook and New Jersey Nets' Deron Williams.

Centers — Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and Knicks' Tyson Chandler.

Those who played in 2008 or 2010 who are not among the finalists are: Bulls forward Carlos Boozer, Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince and Phoenix Suns guard Michael Redd from the 2008 team; Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry from the 2010 team.

"Reducing to the official roster limit of 12 players will be an even tougher decision, but we'll evaluate how guys play during the 2011-12 NBA season and, as we've done with our teams in the past, we'll attempt to select the very best team we can," Colangelo said in a statement.

Last week, Colangelo said of the makeup of the 2012 London team, "In all probability, (it) will be a composition of the Beijing Olympic team and the (2010) world championship team.

"As the young talent continues to rise, there needs to be turnover representing the United States," Colangelo said. "That's the way it should be. One of the things I've seen with some of the international teams is that they get old together and they have to start over, and that's not our attitude."

Other notable names not among the finalists who were listed on Team USA's 33-man pool: Warriors forward David Lee, Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire, Nets center Brook Lopez, Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo, Blazers forward Gerald Wallace, Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans and Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson.

"What we are basically saying is you build equity with us," Colangelo said last week. "When you commit and you participate, that goes a long way."

Billups is a bit of surprise, considering his age (35) and the depth at guard for Team USA. But Billups has made a long-term commitment to the program and was rewarded.

Odom, 32, was also a bit of surprise. But Colangelo loved what the 6-10 Odom provided in 2010, and the team will need length in London.
 
So I am sure I am going to get flamed by Chicago fanboys, but.......

I dont understand what role Derrick Rose plays on this team, I really dont. I mean, you want him to be a point guard? Well he is clearly the third best distributer of the current roster. He is clearly behind Chris Paul and Deron Williams. So USA really doesnt need him as a point guard. Rose is decent on defense, but he certainly isnt great at it. He isnt a great shooter, so you cant use him as your 3 point threat.

Scoring is without question, Derrick Rose's best attribute. But does the USA really need more scoring? Between LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Durant, and Carmelo, I think it is safe to say that this team does NOT need more scoring.

So where does that leave Rose? In my opinion, it should leave him off the roster.

My 12 man team:

Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Dwight Howard

Dwyane Wade
Carmelo Anthony
Deron Williams
Chris Bosh
LeMarcus Aldridge
Chauncey Billips
Kevin Love
 
Originally Posted by Seymore CAKE

I'm so anti-blake for the Olympics... His game doesn't transfer to that style of play at all.
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i definitely understand why everyone would not want Blake on the roster w/ him not having consistent range, but at the very minimum he will give you a rebounding presence and the athletic ability to defend mobile euros. dude has a relentless motor and is a capable playmaker.

and in his case, that training camp will only make him a better player. everyone under the age of 23 becomes better.
 
Why in the world would you have Billups in over Rose? Rose can play either guard position.

Billups, Odom should be the first cuts. Then I think Chandler and Westbrook should be next.

Other than that it's gonna be hell to pick. I would like Blake on the team as a spark off the bench.
 
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