OT - Team USA

[shrink]

Tyson Chandler's toe injury will keep him out of the Olympics. Alternates include Kevin Durant, Mike Miller, Shawn Marion, Chauncey Billups, and Joe Johnson, but they are really thin at center.

The homer in me wants to ask if Al is impossible to step over the alternates at this point? Durant's the likely call up, but I can't decide if I'd like to see Miller go. There's the risk of injury, and the probability he tires in the season, but if we ever trade him, "Olympian Mike Miller" will probably bring back more in trade.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/new ... AHeadlines

[Klomp]

Let Durant go and have a career-ending injury

[deeney0]

They needs a big man alternate bad, preferably a defensive specialist. Losing Chandler is a huge blow, there might be no one on that team, the way it's built, with more of an effect in international ball. Camby, Duncan, KG, even Shaq... someone ought to step up for their country. It'd be fun to watch Al, but he's not the inside defensive presence they sorely need.

[big3_8_19_21]

isn't...Dwight Howard on the team? They do need a back-up, though.

[Klomp]

He was just an alternate to begin with. The main roster is still in place.

[big3_8_19_21]

oooh...now that I actually read the article...Howard's got a hairline fracture so they invited Chandler just in case, who has a toe injury, so he can't go. I guess we have 12 guys in uniform, but planned on bringing 13. Jefferson should get an invite...whether he accepts or declines, he should get an invite.

[Mcfale313]

I'm excited to see Kobe accidentally passing the ball to Gasol defending Howard in the paint, still thinking he's a teammate.
Likewise, Jason Kidd threw the ball to Nowitzki in the fast break.........

ok i'll stop fooling around....but I think right now their depth chart is like

Howard/?
Boozer/Bosh
Lebron/Anthony/Prince
Bryant/Wade/Redd
Kidd/Paul/D.Williams



very guard heavy and not enough big bodies at front court..maybe they can push bosh or boozer to center and play Lebron or Anthony to the 4, but still they are gonna have a small line up, all their main opponents except Angola in group B has at least 2 7 footers, for example Germany has Kaman and Nowitski, China has Yao and Yi and Wang Zhizhi, Spain has the Gasols, Greece have papalokous and mavlokarous or something liek that....
With howard listed as 6'11 (altho this guy has a monstrous jump and freakish athletism and tremendous power....), it'd be intriguing to see how the US team defend other teams bigs, especially those skilled ones with a mid-long jumper like Nowitzki, Yao, and Yi or possibly P.Gasol....

[dunkonu21]

I think Anthony will start at PF.

[big3_8_19_21]

I'd start Paul, but Kidd being the vet will most likely get the job, but yeah, I agree Anthony and LeBron will probably start at the 2 F spots next to Howard.

[Klomp]

I think Anthony will start at PF.

Exactly. Anthony, LeBron, and maybe even Prince are guys I think will see time at PF.

[revprodeji]

yup. On the international level bron or Mello could play the 4.