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

Kobe can shut down any perimeter player he wants to. I think Lebron steps up the defense a notch in games that mean something. Bosh played a defensive role in 2008 and played it very well.

 

I knew Kobe wouldn't turn down a chance to win another championship.

 

I see what you're doing, but i think it's a bit unfair to categorize it that way. It's Team USA. If you're one of the best players in your sport, you should be interested in representing your country. Kobe didn't for a long time, but he came around. I'm still irked at the guys who dropped out in 2004 for dubious reasons. Now you have guys fighting to be on that team. That's a good thing.

However, in terms of hardware, the list of players with two golds is small. However, the list of players with two golds and five championships is even smaller (Jordan and Pippen). I think that definitely is a factor in the decision to play. However, to plainly view it as "a chance to win another championship" is a bit inaccurate.

 

Its just another way for people to try to discredit Kobe.  Stupid, but not surprising.

 

And yes I'm leaving Rose off.

 

As a fan of Kobe, I would rather see him rest during the summer due to his long list of injuries.

 

perfect roster, my man. 

 

Haha oh yeah. USA USA USA

 

@ Rose over Deron

 

Gordon over rose? Lmao!!!

 

Thoughts on this comment?
DraftExpress Jonathan Givony 

If I'm Jerry Colangelo I use the USA training camp spot opened up by Billups on Kyrie Irving.Keep him in US talent pool. May need him later?

DraftExpress Jonathan Givony 

Not in danger of defecting to a competitor. And not as good a fit as Irving for international style. RT @Shaun033: What about Rondo for USA?

DraftExpress Jonathan Givony 

Indeed. RT @C_Henderson76: Coach K connection should help with Irving. He could be really good in the 2014 World Championship & '16 Olympics

 

Other countries don't stand a chance.

 

He better replace him. Why not give the next guy a shot
Kyrie is my guy but he shouldn't be invited until the World Championships.

 

sooo with harden playing well.. and eric gordon ummmm, not playing at all..


am i still crazy/being a homer for suggesting that harden should get a shot? (especially if wade or kobe have to decline due to injury AND the lack of solid SGs in the NBA presently)



this is from hollinger's all-suspected surprises team:
Among shooting guards who have played more than five games and didn't visit a German knee doctor this past summer, Harden is first in PER. He's also nearly leading the Thunder in the same category, which is pretty impressive considering the two other All-Stars on the roster. Harden continues to refine his pick-and-roll wizardry, sharply upping his efficiency through the first 11 games. Harden's 19.5 assist ratio is almost in point guard territory, while his 22.7 points per 40 minutes signify his evolution into an A-list primary scoring threat.

The real kicker, though, is the efficiency. Harden's 65.3 TS% is the best of any player with a usage rate above 20 and more than five games played; he's drawing 6.8 free throw attempts per game despite taking nearly half his shots from beyond the 3-point line, producing a lethal cocktail of high-value scoring chances.

 

isnt kyrie irving australian? how does that work?

 

also i heard irving wants to play for australia

 

these guys are gonna be so worn out smh

 

Kyrie expressed some interest in playing for Australia or something, right?

 

Rose for lifeeee

 

Rose isn't a great defender, isn't a reliable spot-up shooter and needs the ball in his hands to be effective.  There is a reason why he didn't stand out during the FIBA tournament and then went on to win MVP as soon as the season started.
Rose and Wade bring to many of the same things to the table.  Deron Williams is better for international play especially considering he just was over there for 6 weeks and raped the competition.  Rose is a top 5 player but I don't think he fits for this team, in this competition.  

He'll make the squad regardless though.

 

Kyrie has dual citizenship so he could play for Australia but only if he gets a waiver from FIBA since he played for the U18 US National team in 2010

He can play now and lose if they clear him or play later and win.

 

Give me Kevin Love over Bron at the 4.

 

100% Cosign with this. 

If three point guards are on the roster Westbrook should be the third.

 

I'd LOVE to see this concept:

On years we had the Olympics and World Basketball Championships, instead of playing All-Star Weekend East vs. West, we had an International Friendly. USA vs. World All Stars or something like that.

Thoughts?

Oh - and here's my projected squad:


CP3
Kobe Bryant
KD
LBJ
D Howard


D. Wade
D. Rose
Melo
C. Bosh
D. Williams
K. Love
L. Aldridge

 

If I'm Kyrie, I go the Austrailia route. Not sure if he'll ever get a shot in UNA with the great PG play