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

Wait a minute... You leave him off in favor of Chauncey Billups? Umm. Alright I disagree but I mean that's your preference.

 

I leave off Rose in favor of Chauncey Billups for three point shooting, and that alone.  I would pick Curry over Billups, but he isnt on the final 20 roster.

 

If that's the case, then at least pick Eric Gordon. Billups literally will offer nothing else but decent three point shooting. They don't need any of his point guarding skills as the roster is already loaded with that in CP3/Williams. They don't need any of his "leadership" either so long as most of the 2008 squad is on board.

Gordon has a much better long range game and can also offer other ways of scoring.

 

Anyone big could defend just as well as Blake on that list, imo. If that's all he could bring to the team besides alley-oops then I rather not have him on the team.

Blake is a great rebounder, I'll give him that. But is that what the team needs? There would be plenty of good rebounder's on the squad once it's finalized.

Blake cannot make a mid-range jumper consistently. His post game isn't there yet. If he shows he could defend the 5 then maybe he would be a consideration.

Any other candidate could bring so much more to the team. Choosing Blake would be an abosulute waste of a spot, imo.

 

Blake definitely wouldn't be a waste of a spot. That honor would only go to Billups or Odumb.

They wouldn't depend on Blake to shoot from the perimeter. They would bring him off the bench for instant transition offense and rebounding.

 

Billups shot like 20% in the WC

 

What I think would be the most complete and successful 12 man roster..

Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Lebron James
Dwight Howard

Deron Williams
Dwyane Wade
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Love
Lamarcus Aldridge
Derrick Rose
Chris Bosh

 

Wouldn't even be mad at that.

Also if they decide to go with that starting lineup

Even if Kobe doesn't play and Wade swaps in, that lineup is nuts

 

^Thats probably the most likely combination of players. Iguodala is a wildcard as well. Not really sure who's spot he would take though.

 

I leave off Rose in favor of Chauncey Billups for three point shooting, and that alone.  I would pick Curry over Billups, but he isnt on the final 20 roster.


Just the fact that you would pick Curry over Billups makes me question if you watched the last world championships. 

 

Regardless, I'd rather have Curry over Billups as well. So long as Curry gets a new ankle.

The World Championships team was a completely different team than what the Olympic team will be. Imagining the open looks/lanes and such that Curry would get and his playmaking is understated as well.

Doesn't matter though, he isn't even on the final 20

 

Can't have fragile guards in international play. Too physical with all the hand checking and whatnot. Curry doesn't make sense.

 

Fixed.

 

we will destroy the other countries

 

I think Westbrook will make it, people forget he was the second best player on that 2010 team.

People were saying that Thunder had the two best young players in the game.

I think Coach K would like him back.

 

Just the fact that you would pick Curry over Billups makes me question if you watched the last world championships. 



So the fact that Curry didnt play better than Billips 2 years ago (one year out of college, against the best competition in the World) means he wouldnt now be a better choice?  Solid logic. 

Doesnt matter though, he isnt on the finalist roster....which is why I didnt pick him to start with.

 

Cross Aldridge out and put Gay or Iguodala. I don't think they will carry 3 true PF's on the roster. I'm thinking Bosh because he played in 08 and I'm sure Wade/Lebron will find a way to keep him on the team, then you have Love because of his rebounding. Aldridge pretty much gives you what Bosh does so there's no point in having both. 
Erick Gordon will also make it as well. Eric Gordon and Iggy/Gay will end up on the team. I'm not sure which spots they would take, but I think you have to put them on there due to their versatility (Gay/Iggy) and shooting (EG).

 

Aldridge can play center also. No?

 

Gs: rose, paul, kobe, wade.
Fs: kd, lebron, L.A., Melo, Love.
Cs: Chandler, Bosh, Howard

Most likely LA will get snubbed. griffin will go even though he can't play post d (but stern and the nba love him.)
Swap Bosh for Mcgee for comedy.

 

This.

 

They don't need anything Westbrook has to offer though. He may have been a top player on that 2010 team, but on the Olympic team his role would change immensely. If they have to decide between Rose, Westbrook and Deron Williams, Westbrook is third on my list.

 

His defense was amazing, not to mention his game changing athleticism and scoring off the bench and he even played some alongside Derrick Rose as the 2. But the defense Westbrook, Iggy, and Gordon played all warrants them getting better consider than people who are just assuming the 12 most popular names are giving them.

 

His defense is a good point. They don't have any designated defenders outside of Howard if they go with the "big names". Unless you consider James, Wade as their "stoppers".

 

I wonder why no Amare? Still the insurance issues? He didn't do anything to warrant not being on the list. He has played when he was healthy. 2010 he wanted to play and was a lock but the insurance issue kept him out. Not his fault