Wall left off USAB 28-man roster; Beal makes it

[Kanyewest]

How the hell Beal makes it is a mystery to me...he's way worse than Wall.

PG is simply a much deeper position than SG at this point of time. Guys like Wall, Lowry, are all Lawson are all better than Beal at this point in time. But those pgs are also better than guys like Thompson and Korver.

Beal is pretty young, he's only 20 years old, the same age that Wall was during his rookie season. Like Melo, they will get Beal to stay away from that midrange in international play and just shoot 3s where Beal is 43% on the season.

[mhd]

I'd rather have Lawson and Conley than Kyrie. Its all politics. Shouldn't defense matter?

[stevemcqueen1]

It's a snub considering all of the 2 guards except Harden that made the cut are worse players than Wall, and a couple of the PGs too.

On the one hand, I'm glad he'll have his summers free, because it's a big commitment.

On the other, I look at that 2010 WC team and notice how so many of the young guys from that squad blew up the next season--Rose, Westbrook, Durant, and Kevin Love all made huge strides in 2010-2011. I think playing on Team USA was a part of that.

[Kanyewest]

It's a snub considering all of the 2 guards except Harden that made the cut are worse players than Wall, and a couple of the PGs too.

On the one hand, I'm glad he'll have his summers free, because it's a big commitment.

On the other, I look at that 2010 WC team and notice how so many of the young guys from that squad blew up the next season--Rose, Westbrook, Durant, and Kevin Love all made huge strides in 2010-2011. I think playing on Team USA was a part of that.

I can certainly understand a couple more point guards making it. Especially since guys like Wall and Westbrook have the size to play shooting guard guard in international ball. But it isn't something that I don't think they will regret. Guys like Wall, Lawson, and Lowry may be better players than Beal, Thompson, and Korver but maybe not necessarily at playing off the ball which would be best suited if guys like LeBron are going to be handling the ball a lot anyways. Those guys may just have to knock down 3s.

Still, I have a feeling Wall should have a shot and it might be his best interest to do so- Rondo got one on the 2010 World championship team and even though he didn't make the final roster, he played with a chip on his shoulder that ultimately helped the Celtics go to 7 games against the Heat.

[spaceman_E]

Who cares about the shooting guards, Wall is a better option than most of the PGs they took. I wouldn't take Rose, Deron, Lillard or Irving over Wall. Of course I'd take Conley and probably Lawson over all of those and strongly consider Oladipo, Beverley and Bledsoe over most.

[Illmatic21]

Who cares about the shooting guards, Wall is a better option than most of the PGs they took. I wouldn't take Rose, Deron, Lillard or Irving over Wall. Of course I'd take Conley and probably Lawson over all of those and strongly consider Oladipo, Beverley and Bledsoe over most.

We're talking about the international game, not NBA. They basically have Lebron playing the 1 most of the time, and you don't want to take the ball out of his hands.

The main role of the guards on the team is to play off the ball and space the floor. Most likely they evaluated Wall during Select Team camps and were unimpressed with his off ball game.

[pancakes3]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10358 ... motivation

Wow. I had no idea that Wall wasn't a McDonald's all-American. I thought he was pretty hyped coming out of HS. Looking on Wiki, it seems like being a 5th year senior might have hurt him. Even a Jordan-esque snub by missing out on the HS team.

[jivelikenice]

Who cares about the shooting guards, Wall is a better option than most of the PGs they took. I wouldn't take Rose, Deron, Lillard or Irving over Wall. Of course I'd take Conley and probably Lawson over all of those and strongly consider Oladipo, Beverley and Bledsoe over most.

We're talking about the international game, not NBA. They basically have Lebron playing the 1 most of the time, and you don't want to take the ball out of his hands.

The main role of the guards on the team is to play off the ball and space the floor. Most likely they evaluated Wall during Select Team camps and were unimpressed with his off ball game.

It is the international game so shooting is at a premium but the U.S. team has don't a lot of their damage pressuring the opponents guards and creating turnovers. Are you telling me that Wall couldn't help in that department? Politics are involved too. Coach K has been feautring Kyrie for some time and had no intention of leaving him off the team

[Illmatic21]

Who cares about the shooting guards, Wall is a better option than most of the PGs they took. I wouldn't take Rose, Deron, Lillard or Irving over Wall. Of course I'd take Conley and probably Lawson over all of those and strongly consider Oladipo, Beverley and Bledsoe over most.

We're talking about the international game, not NBA. They basically have Lebron playing the 1 most of the time, and you don't want to take the ball out of his hands.

The main role of the guards on the team is to play off the ball and space the floor. Most likely they evaluated Wall during Select Team camps and were unimpressed with his off ball game.

It is the international game so shooting is at a premium but the U.S. team has don't a lot of their damage pressuring the opponents guards and creating turnovers. Are you telling me that Wall couldn't help in that department? Politics are involved too. Coach K has been feautring Kyrie for some time and had no intention of leaving him off the team

Floor-spacing is a big deal. Remember, Rondo never made these teams either despite being the best passer in the league and an All-NBA defender.

Certainly politics are involved, particularly in Deron Williams selection. But it's not like Williams will end up on the final 12-man roster, naming him to the pool was more out of respect/seniority.

And the rosters aren't set in stone, Wall can still be added to the pool for this summer. If he makes the All-Star team and finishes the season strong in the playoffs, I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen. Especially if Williams drops out (which he should do, for his own health)

[Dark Faze]

I have an issue with Rose making it. He didn't look great for us even when he was healthy and using Team USA as a platform for rehab is a dumb idea.

[jivelikenice]

Floor-spacing is a big deal. Remember, Rondo never made these teams either despite being the best passer in the league and an All-NBA defender.

I agree, but I think there's value in an an end of bench/defensive spark type of player that this team may be missing.

[Illmatic21]

Floor-spacing is a big deal. Remember, Rondo never made these teams either despite being the best passer in the league and an All-NBA defender.

I agree, but I think there's value in an an end of bench/defensive spark type of player that this team may be missing.

In general, yes. But there's only a 12-man roster, and so much available talent. You want to build the most skilled, versatile roster possible.

Also, Wall isn't that good of a defender right now, I wouldn't really call him a defensive 'spark'. He's no Russell Westbrook (who was a monster defensively on that 2012 squad, he was wearing opposing guards out). If he's not bringing elite defense or shooting, it's hard to see how he would fit into Coach Ks philosophy for the team.

If I'm looking for a 12th man to fill that defensive+ballhandling role, I'd rather go for a versatile wing like say, Andre Igoudala than Wall. Igoudala can shoot/score, he can play point guard for stretches, and he can guard positions 1-3.. it's a no-brainer.

[jivelikenice]

I'm not trying to say he should be in the final 12, but definitely a pool invite.

I also agree he's not a defensive spark now, but I think that's mainly due to the responsibility level he has on this team. In shorter sports for the national team I think he could be much more disruptive on the defensive end.

[Illmatic21]

I'm not trying to say he should be in the final 12, but definitely a pool invite.

I also agree he's not a defensive spark now, but I think that's mainly due to the responsibility level he has on this team. In shorter sports for the national team I think he could be much more disruptive on the defensive end.

Yeah, Wall and Mike Conley should have been included in the pool for that very purpose imo. But hey, it's not too late for him to be added on I guess.

[daSwami]

Didn't Javale McGee make this a couple years back? If so, wut?

[Hidden Eye]

Wall probably asked for Beal to take his spot. Beal needs it more than Wall so he can improve his skillset and become a better player.