OFFICIAL FIBA World Cup Spain 2014 Thread

Wall and Beal aren't big surprises. They have enough deep shooting between the 2 and 3 positions. They're also pretty set at point guard.
 
Nope bc KD is going to want the floor stretched the whole game. Klay might get the start at the 3.

Rose
Harden
Klay/Parson
KD
AD
 
KD is playing 30 a minutes a game @ the 4 with AD playing 30+ minutes a game @ Center.


Rose/Kyrie
Curry/Lillard
Harden/Thompson
Durant/Parsons
Davis/Plumlee


final cuts, pick 2 out of
Korver, Hayward, DeRozan
Drummond, Cousins, Faried


I'd probably go with Cousins, Drummond, Korver instead of Plumlee.
I get Plumlee because of his role on the team and **** but there just isn't a way I take him over Boogie or Andre.
I got Korver just b/c you can never have enough shooters
 
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Stein and Windhorst:
A close look at remaining U.S. roster

Sixteen players to choose from. Only 12 roster spots available. And merely 10 more days of practices and exhibition games to collect sufficient on-court data to break any ties.

That is what coach Mike Krzyzewski and managing director Jerry Colangelo face starting Aug. 13 in Chicago, up until they board the Team USA plane bound for Spain on Aug. 23, in choosing the dozen players who will represent the United States at the inaugural FIBA World Cup.

Tuesday's release of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Paul Millsap, in the wake of the devastating compound leg fracture that felled Paul George, is only Phase 1. To get you (and the USA Basketball bosses) ready for the tough choices ahead -- four more cuts on top of the various emotional challenges after what happened to the well-liked George -- we've broken it all down here by position:

POINT GUARD

LOCKS

Derrick Rose
Any lingering doubt about his athletic explosion or his status on this team was eradicated by the end of the first day of practice in Las Vegas. It's hard now to see Rose as anything other than the starter at the point against Finland in Team USA's first group game in Bilbao on Aug. 30, especially after the early show he put on in Friday's night ill-fated intrasquad scrimmage.

Stephen Curry
Look for him to spend plenty of time at shooting guard, even though he's listed here with the other 1s. His boundless range, versatility, previous experience in this competition . . . Curry is a franchise player with this group, just like he is in Oakland.

Kyrie Irving
The sight of Irving starting opposite Rose in the intrasquad scrimmage was the latest indication that he has a spot sewn up. He can't yet make the defensive impact that Wall could have, and isn't quite as flammable offensively as a locked-in Damian Lillard, but USA Basketball regards Irving as a big part of this going forward. Hard to see Coach K leaving him home in those circumstances.

ON THE BUBBLE

Damian Lillard
It's not inconceivable that Krzyzewski keeps all four of these guys after letting Wall go, especially given Lillard's aforementioned flammability as a shooter. But four lead guards on a roster of 12 could well be one too many. If so, Lillard losing out to Irving -- one of Coach K's longtime faves -- is the safest forecast.

SHOOTING GUARD

LOCKS

James Harden
There were actual plaudits emanating from Sin City about Harden's efforts defensively last week after his (bad segue alert) borderline sinful showing on that end for the Rockets last season. The Beard, mind you, probably would be in the starting lineup against Finland if he doesn't guard a soul for the rest of the month. He's one of the world's greatest scorers, and in this group of Team USA newcomers, one of the trusted vets.

Klay Thompson
With his size and defensive ability, Thompson actually does give Coach K an excellent option at the 2 if he did see the need to drop Harden to the bench. Or Thompson could find himself starting at small forward in place of the injured George, given the suddenly sizable void at the 3 spot. Either way, Thompson's ability to make an impact at both ends makes it impossible for Krzyzewski to leave him behind.

ON THE BUBBLE

Kyle Korver
He won't complain if he doesn't play and he'll make shots to bust zones when Coach K does send him in. Given his ability to log minutes at small forward as well, Korver will probably find his way onto this roster.

SMALL FORWARD

LOCKS

None

Paul George was the only lock here. And his story is too sad to tell again.

ON THE BUBBLE

Chandler Parsons
With his multifaceted game and the size to play both forward spots internationally, as well as his respected range, Parsons appears to have the best shot to make the squad among the bubble 3s. But the competition here is fierce, so his defense won't/can't be overlooked.

DeMar DeRozan
A strong showing in Friday's intrasquad scrimmage, combined with George's unfortunate absence, has put DeRaptor in legit contention for a roster spot when he was widely presumed to be one of the first cuts. Can he keep the fairy tale going?

Gordon Hayward
All the raves Hayward generated during last year's Team USA minicamp are what made you think he'd get a max offer in 2014 restricted free agency. But the breakout star of Team USA's brief 2013 time together hasn't been able to generate quite the same buzz as part of this crowd. Small forward is a position in the spotlight during the next two weeks after what happened to the face of the Pacers ... and Hayward has to deliver if he wants to trump DeRozan.

POWER FORWARD

LOCKS

Kevin Durant
Seriously? You're looking for a justification sentence?

Kenneth Faried
Millsap's early exit would seem to suggest that Faried has already won a roster spot. The fact he started opposite Durant in the intrasquad scrimmage was yet another signal the Nuggets' ever-busy 4 man has taken advantage of the July withdrawals of Kevin Love and Blake Griffin. Faried doesn't have the bulk or defensive résumé to worry Spain or Brazil, but his high energy and constant activity will be seen as a nuisance to all who will have to deal with it.

CENTER

LOCKS

Anthony Davis
The 12th man on the gold-medal winning London Olympics squad might be the most important player on this team, given the limited center options at Coach K's disposal. The U.S. needs him to be dominant defensively while also staying out of foul trouble -- which is always an issue for big men in the five-fouls-and-you're-out world of FIBA competition.


ON THE BUBBLE

DeMarcus Cousins
Talent isn't the issue. Obviously. Team USA coaches and officials want to bring Boogie abroad with them -- if only to know they can throw him at the Gasol brothers in the Sept. 14 title game if necessary -- but they need to know first that Cousins can keep his composure and handle limited minutes when his services aren't required. That's what they will try to determine Aug. 13-22.

Mason Plumlee
Coach K dropped more than a few hints in Vegas last week that the former Blue Devil could actually beat Cousins for a roster spot, thanks to his speed and agility (and presumed willingness to stay hushed if he's parked at the end of the bench). The fact he outplayed Cousins head-to-head in their one shift against each other in Vegas only adds to the notion that Boogie versus Plumlee is the most intriguing battle leading into the real thing.

Andre Drummond
When Team USA practices resume in Chicago, Drummond will indeed find himself needing to play catch-up to both Cousins and Plumlee. Coach K is likely to take only two extra centers behind Davis, and Drummond, for all of his rebounding gifts at age 20, is a distinct No. 3 in that race after a lackluster week in Vegas.
Click to expand...
http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/11311537/breaking-remaining-team-usa-roster
 
Out of the bubbles listed: DeMar Derozan, Cousins, Plumlee?

Between Klay, Steph and KD, Harden, I think we good with the shooting.

USA is extremely weak in the 3 position, damn
 
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amel223 said:
Out of the bubbles listed: DeMar Derozan, Cousins, Plumlee?

Between Klay, Steph and KD, Harden, I think we good with the shooting.

USA is extremely weak in the 3 position, damn
Click to expand...

Derozan, Hayward, Cousins seems most likely.

I think Parsons got a spot due to George's injury.
 
From everything I have read/heard:

1/2: Rose, Curry, Irving
2/3: Harden, Thompson, Korver
3/4: Durant, Faried, Parsons, Hayward
5: Davis, one of Boogie or Plumlee

Point guard/Shooting guard seems too crowded for Lillard to nab a roster spot
DeRozan doesn't have the size, versatility nor shooting that Parsons and Hayward bring
Drummond seems to be the last among the the backup center candidates
 
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i thought everyone was given millsap a spot on this team?

I would have cut  Lillard before wall, also think wall should make the team over kyrie but we know coach K and Nike not letting that happen
 
I think Millsap being a late addition coupled with coming off the bench (while his main competition Faried was starting) says enough.

Edit:


 
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Harden and Kyrie over Lillard :smh: :smh:

Dude flat out competes, can run the team, defend, and play w/o dominating the rock
 
Lillard really not gunna make the squad cuz he plays for Adidas [emoji]128514[/emoji]
 
DaddyRabbit251 said:
Harden and Kyrie over Lillard :smh: :smh:

Dude flat out competes, can run the team, defend, and play w/o dominating the rock
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Lillard doesn't defend ... Lol WTF? Harden was always going to make it. He's got big, Cadillac guard size. Dame is redundant with Kyrie, and Coach has rapport with Irving. Why would Lillard be picked over those guys? Use your head man
 
Huge loss for the team. I still think they have enough to win but it will be a lot tougher
 
rck3sactown said:
 
Durant out......

This has to have a positive bearing on Cousins making the roster I think?
Click to expand...
Start Boogie next to AD 
pimp.gif
 
With No Durant I think its 55/45 we beat Spain (if we play them)

Need Klay/Harden to ball out
 
rck3sactown said:
Durant out......



This has to have a positive bearing on Cousins making the roster I think?
Click to expand...

IMO, it has to make him a lock.

Losing KD and PG severely changes the make up of the team. They have to strongly considering going to a more conventional lineup with AD at PF and Cousins at C now that they lack ELITE wing guys. I don't think anyone can truly play 4 like KD and George could outside of Parsons.

Rose - Kyrie
Harden - Curry
Thompson - Korver - Derozan
Davis - Faried - Parsons
Cousins - Plumlee

It's tough leaving Lillard off the team. I'd probably pick him over Kyrie but the coaches seem to prefer Kyrie for some reason. Either way. Curry can play 1/2. Thompson/Harden/Korver/Derozan can play 2/3. Parsons can play 3/4.

We're still more than good enough without KD/PG but relying on Cousins and Faried worries me. Cousins can be a headcase and this team doesn't really have strong leaders to keep him in check. Faried is cool but he seems like he can be pushed around by international big guys + be exposed for his lack of shooting. Those guys are really good players but Spain could be a rough matchup.
 
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