USA Basketball Roster

southampton · Post #101 » by **southampton** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:37 pm

Picking an international team is not about picking the best available players, its about picking players who fit the international style of play, international basketball is very different to nba basketball, you have centers who often shoot threes, posting up dosnt happen much, its small basketball, where point guards and shooters are the two most important ingreediants

KobeFarmarEra · Post #102 » by **KobeFarmarEra** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 1:53 am

J-Mezzy wrote:Injured pinkie?

Kobe is playing. Getting surgery in September.

But I agree with the majority in this thread, leave D-Quit at home. They don't need him. He had his chance twice now, failed both times. Let Kobe and Kidd right the ship and restore USA Basketball's diginity.

Chris435 · Post #103 » by **Chris435** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:14 am

Flash3 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

And where's Kobe? lol

Assuming you aren't being sarcastic, read the first line of what he said.

Post #104 » by **Flash3** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:20 am

Chris435 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Assuming you aren't being sarcastic, read the first line of what he said.

I wasn't, and only proceeded to his rosters; which is why I missed that point....

Chris435 · Post #105 » by **Chris435** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:30 am

I think that USA could win it this year with or without Kobe (including Kobe would seal the deal for the gold though). I think that the upcoming superstars have matured enough in finetuning and developing their game that they can take the gold this time.

The major weaknesses of the national teams employed since 2004 were the lack of outside shooting and a legitimate inside presence, but those deficiencies have been addressed (assuming most players come back from the 2007 team). I really can't imagine team USA losing this year.

KobeFarmarEra · Post #106 » by **KobeFarmarEra** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:33 am

^^ Yeah like that lack of inside presence when KG/Duncan were on the team? :rolleyes:

Face it, this team needs Kobe. The team wants Kobe. And Kobe is playing. No sense in taking any chances not having Kobe play. If USA doesn't bring home the Gold it will be a complete embarrasment. Again. A guy like Kobe who is actually hungry to play for his country will not let that happen. Add in an experienced Olympian like Kidd and the Gold is coming home.

Texas Longhorns · Post #107 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:34 am

I wouldn't say Kobe is the best player on the the USA team. Carmelo plays the best international ball on this team. After that, it could be debatable, especially after LeBron's perfect game last year.

j-ragg · Post #108 » by **j-ragg** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:46 am

I'm not a Kobe fan by any stretch but I think he brings a different mentality to the team. All of the starters are young (minus Kidd) and aren't exactly great vocal leaders. Kobe brings that. Kobe brings a mental toughness that the guys look up to IMO.

KobeFarmarEra · Post #109 » by **KobeFarmarEra** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 3:00 am

Texas Longhorns wrote:I wouldn't say Kobe is the best player on the the USA team. Carmelo plays the best international ball on this team. After that, it could be debatable, especially after LeBron's perfect game last year.

Carmelo doesn't play defense. He does not play 'better international ball than Kobe'

Kobe was guarding the best player on the other teams while shutting them down. He also brough shooting, scoring and passing.

Lebron is Lebron.

But Melo is in no way shape or for the 'best player on team USA' especially if Coach K continues to start him at PF. All he does is jack up a shot every time he touches the ball.

KobeFarmarEra · Post #110 » by **KobeFarmarEra** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 3:01 am

Also calling the Melo the best player TEam USA these past few years is the exact reason Team USA keeps losing. Not much of a compliment if you ask me.

Post #111 » by **Flash3** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 4:18 am

Kobe & Melo definitely need to be on the team. No matter how you cut it, these seem to be our 2 best scorers, especially Melo.

Texas Longhorns · Post #112 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 5:48 am

KobeFarmarEra wrote:Also calling the Melo the best player TEam USA these past few years is the exact reason Team USA keeps losing. Not much of a compliment if you ask me.

It's my opinion of team USA. Do you have a problem?

ilikecb4 · Post #113 » by **ilikecb4** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 6:29 am

Well Mike Miller will be on that team. book it.

Carmelo is the best player on that team because of international rules. He's a great jumpshooter/scorer, better than Lebron at this point.

CaptainFanchini · Post #114 » by **CaptainFanchini** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 1:10 pm

PG Kidd/Paul
SG Kobe/Reed
SF Miller/Melo
PF Lebron/Amare
C Howard/Boozer

Something like this should work well, it's a good mix between int'l small ball and more traditional basketball (when needed).

IMHO Lebron is the perfect versatile international PF (outside shooting, rebounds, assists), and so Melo (14 rebounds this last evening).

The_Pope · Post #115 » by **The_Pope** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:24 pm

I agree that LeBron would be better used as a PF for the USA. Melo should have the SF position locked, his skillset is ideal for international ball, especially with the shorter 3 point line.

CircleCitysportsfan · Post #116 » by **CircleCitysportsfan** » Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:50 pm

CaptainFanchini wrote:PG Kidd/Paul
SG Kobe/Reed
SF Miller/Melo
PF Lebron/Amare
C Howard/Boozer

Something like this should work well, it's a good mix between int'l small ball and more traditional basketball (when needed).

IMHO Lebron is the perfect versatile international PF (outside shooting, rebounds, assists), and so Melo (14 rebounds this last evening).