U.S. Olympic Basketball Team

[RTRD]

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-bko-usteam&prov=ap&type=lgns

Part of me is like "oh yeah, whatever, yawn", but some of this seems to ring true.

I can understand what they are saying in regards to not knowing what to expect in 2004, and the fact that they are admitting that they did not show the proper respect for their opponents or the (international) game itself is encouraging.

Add to that the fact that it appears for the first time a TEAM is being assembled, with players to fill specific roles (Redd as a shooter, Prince as a shut down defender), that the best and most competitive player in the world is on the team (Bryant...you think he wouldn't like to add a gold medal to his resume), that the core of this team has played together in competition for some time now (the best advantage the international teams have always enjoyed was that they were in fact "teams"...a group of guys who knew each other and knew how each other played) and the absolute ass kicking these guys handed out at the qualifying tournament....


Hmmmmm.....Team USA might be the one to watch. No question they will (again) be the most talented...but will they deliver?


Hmmm......

More on the same topic....seems someone else likes their chances...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8272690/Team-USA-has-athleticism,-speed-to-win-in-Beijing

 

[Don]

A whole lot of talent but they should have added a few more pure shooters on the team. Redd is great but after that there is no other pure shooter on the team. In fact they have a lot of flat out bad ones (Howard, Kidd, Prince, etc). Their lack of shooting hurt them in Athens. Now they added Redd but what if he gets hurt or something (remember what happened to the 1988 team when their only shooter (Hersey Hawkins) when down).

Still they should win gold since they will have the most talent. But we all know it doesn't quite work out that way often (ahem Team Canada in Turin)

 

[RTRD]

Agreed...

A whole lot of talent but they should have added a few more pure shooters on the team. Redd is great but after that there is no other pure shooter on the team. In fact they have a lot of flat out bad ones (Howard, Kidd, Prince, etc). Their lack of shooting hurt them in Athens. Now they added Redd but what if he gets hurt or something (remember what happened to the 1988 team when their only shooter (Hersey Hawkins) when down).

Still they should win gold since they will have the most talent. But we all know it doesn't quite work out that way often (ahem Team Canada in Turin)

...but who would you add, and who would you leave off?

 

[lawyerman]

...but who would you add, and who would you leave off?

At this point, I wouldn't change a thing. If they play like a team, they are good enough to win it all hands down.

 

[Don]

...but who would you add, and who would you leave off?

Another great spot-up shooter that can spread the floor. Like Ray Allen or even someone like Mike Miller. Rip Hamilton wouldn't be a bad idea though he's better using screens like Reggie Miller. I would maybe remove one of the PG's... Kidd would be my choice but they probably want him for his leadership. So I'd remove Paul (D-Will is a slightly better shooter and floor general).

 

[kickitoldschool]

i think it will be a fun dream team to watch

 

[lawyerman]

They need defensive players and discipline.

They have plenty of shooters. Its D that wins.

Let see if they have the discipline this year. I think it's a little too early to tell.

Are you kidding me? They have some very good defensive players. They can't have the entire team be defensive.

They need to score to win my friend.

 

[slowandeasy]

If the players treat this like an all-star game, they are not going to win. If they have a chance to play and practice together, they will win gold.

The international teams are catching up with the US, but they still are not in the same league yet. Argentina can put a great team together. And Spain is pretty good as well.
The international game may be a bit different from the NBA game, but the nets are still 10', the court is the same size, and they still play 5 on 5 basketball.

I don't know if the international teams get to play more often as a team, but that might be the only advantage that they have.

 

[maurice93]

They are the clear favourites. But in a one and done format, you can't always win.

 

[lawyerman]

They are the clear favourites. But in a one and done format, you can't always win.

That is absoultely true. I am sure they remember Puerto Rico.

Nothing is guaranteed but this team looks very strong. On paper, there is not much anyone can do to improve with this team. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and I think there is not much that needs changing if anything at all.

It's like when Team Canada (in hockey of course) wins a gold medal or championship and people will question if that player should have been on the team even after they won. Who cares. The team won so carry on.