Who is the best current player on Team USA ?

[JLei]

What I want to know if is Coach K really thinks Mason Plumlee brings more to the table than Andre Drummond. I realize neither is likely to play a ton of minutes if they make the squad, but Andre is perfectly willing to practice and learn at this point. He's three years younger than Plumlee and does everything (except hit free throws) just as well or substantially better. Team USA is likely winning this tournament regardless, and Andre is far more likely to be a future fixture on this team.

WTF, Coach K?

He went to Duke.

[Sedale Threatt]

He just wants a role player. This has been their MO, with guys like Battier and Prince in the past. At some point talent isn't the issue -- we have more than enough, even without the top guys -- and he wants a guy who will go in there and bust his ass on D without even a thought about getting the ball at the other end.

[tmorgan]

OK, but why would Drummond care about getting the ball? Heck, he doesn't even get the ball on his own team!

I get that Plumlee is a favorite of Coach K and has experience with his systems, but this is supposed to be a long haul project, and Drummond (potentially) has a role of starting center on this squad in a few years. Why piss him off with zero minutes and (I assume) a cut from the roster in order to keep Plumlee around? Because Mason is currently a better talker on defense? That's pure craziness.

[Sedale Threatt]

You know what, I don't know nearly enough about Drummond to give a detailed analysis of his game. I'm just saying that K has a track record of adding a player or two who doesn't necessarily have great talent -- Battier, Prince, Kidd -- but serves a role. Every tournament this happens, Player A or B doesn't get enough playing time or whatever, and their fans get pissed. If Drummond is going to hold a grudge over not getting PT in one competition -- and we only have one exhibition game to go on right now -- then he doesn't need to be on the team. We're going to win with him or without him. So it's his choice.

[tmorgan]

First, as you might have guessed, I'm NOT Andre Drummond. While I don't think I'm crying, either, all I saw from Andre was some dismay that he got zero burn in the game, which is understandable. Cousins is out and he still can't see the floor means he's getting cut, likely along with some other guys that didn't play (Hayward and Derozan, I think).

I'm looking at this from both a Pistons perspective and a Team USA perspective -- unless they think Drummond has no future with USA Basketball, he should make the team over a guy like Plumlee, even if he isn't going to play in this tournament. Otherwise, you're just creating hard feelings for no good reason. Why invite him to camp if you're going to pull a Duke alum off the Select Team and give him the roster spot? It makes no sense.

[JoeyCrawford]

AD. Not close.

[Sedale Threatt]

First, as you might have guessed, I'm NOT Andre Drummond. While I don't think I'm crying, either, all I saw from Andre was some dismay that he got zero burn in the game, which is understandable. Cousins is out and he still can't see the floor means he's getting cut, likely along with some other guys that didn't play (Hayward and Derozan, I think).

I'm looking at this from both a Pistons perspective and a Team USA perspective -- unless they think Drummond has no future with USA Basketball, he should make the team over a guy like Plumlee, even if he isn't going to play in this tournament. Otherwise, you're just creating hard feelings for no good reason. Why invite him to camp if you're going to pull a Duke alum off the Select Team and give him the roster spot? It makes no sense.

"no future with USA Basketball..."

Good lord, it was one game. You invite guys to camp to see how they look, how they fit, what 12 guys you think gives you the best chance to win. Given that we're 62-1 during his tenure, and have revamped USA Basketball from a glorified All-Star team into a legitimate program, I trust K knows what he's doing.

Guys can worry about PT and shots on their own time. When you're on this team, you stow that isht at the door because we've got bigger things to worry about.

[tmorgan]

Your skill at changing the argument to fit your agenda is impressive.

[Sedale Threatt]

Your skill at changing the argument to fit your agenda is impressive.

LOL, what agenda? I'm not the one complaining that a player from my favorite team didn't get any burn in an exhibition match. That's an agenda.

[DayofMourning]

Anthony Davis has that Bill Russell effect. He makes everything fit, and makes good teams great. He will enhance the play of those around him just because he excels at the little things. Easily my favorite player on the team.

[tmorgan]

Your skill at changing the argument to fit your agenda is impressive.

LOL, what agenda? I'm not the one complaining that a player from my favorite team didn't get any burn in an exhibition match. That's an agenda.

I fully admit I brought up this topic in a weird place -- should have been in the general thread. That said, I was talking about not playing Drummond at all with Cousins out, and playing Plumlee in his place. While responding, you managed to turn that into a criticism of USA Basketball in general and Coach K in particular. That was not my point. It's obviously a successful program and Coach K's decisions are final. Why bring that up?

[Sedale Threatt]

I fully admit I brought up this topic in a weird place -- should have been in the general thread. That said, I was talking about not playing Drummond at all with Cousins out, and playing Plumlee in his place. While responding, you managed to turn that into a criticism of USA Basketball in general and Coach K in particular. That was not my point. It's obviously a successful program and Coach K's decisions are final. Why bring that up?

WTF, Coach K?

[tmorgan]

And? That means, in less offensive terms, "What's the reasoning here, Coach K? I don't agree with this decision".

[KobeKenobi]

Rose is the best player. Anthony Davis looks great out there as well. But a healthy Rose is higher caliber.

[High0ctane21]

I was hoping for a little more from Curry today. He just doesn't seem as comfortable playing off ball. Anthony Davis will be our Olympic MVP this year. Dude just can do everything.

[Torres]

Unibrow