Who would you start at PG for team USA?

ponder276 · Post #1 » by **ponder276** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 6:01 am

Explain your choice, assuming the starting lineup is:
PG - ?
SG - Kobe
SF - LeBron
PF - ?
C - Dwight

Personally I would start Deron. Kobe and LeBron are both most effective with the ball in their hands, making plays, so I'd want a PG who doesn't need the ball to be effective. Paul is better at taking over games than Deron, but Kobe and LeBron can take over games just fine, so I'd rather have Deron's superior perimiter shooting. Kidd is useless off the ball, so I don't love him beside LeBron and Kobe. I also feel that Deron is the best defender of the three. Kidd used to be an awesome defender, but has lost a step with age, and Paul is pesky as hell, but can be shot over and posted up. Deron is very solid defensively with his deadly combination of size and speed, and regularly causes huge problems for the best PGs in the league (such as Chris Paul).

fivas14 · Post #2 » by **fivas14** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 6:55 am

I'd start Kidd, let him get the team going. Then bring in Deron, then bring in Paul for a change of pace the other teams wouldn't expect.

I'm a Jazz fan btw.

Texas Longhorns · Post #3 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 7:11 am

Kidd because of Experience and Chemistry from last year.

P.S. Carmelo is either starting SF or PF, if he's SF, then LeBron is PF.

KB20 · Post #4 » by **KB20** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 7:38 am

Definitely Kidd. Everybody on the team looks up to him and will follow his lead. Kobe and LeBron do not need the ball in the Olympics. They do not need to take over offensively. They just need to run the floor and hit open shots.

DaDragicShow · Post #5 » by **DaDragicShow** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 7:52 am

Jason Kidd followed closely by Chris Paul. I give the edge to Kidd cuz he has experience already when he played for USA.

Post #6 » by **miller31time** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 7:54 am

I think Deron Williams' skill-set would fit in best with that lineup considering he is the only one of the three (Williams, Paul, Kidd) and starting 5 (Williams, Bryant, James, Anthony, Howard) who can hit the 3pt shot and deep mid-range shot with consistency.

Paul relies on dribble penetration. Kidd can't hit any shot past the paint. Williams seems to work well off-ball, is an excellent shooter, a comparable passer to the other two point guards, and most importantly is proficient in the pick-and-roll (he would be down-right nasty with Howard -- though Paul would do fine as well). With the ball-dominant James and Bryant, I think Williams should be the choice.

Keep in mind, though, that this is my personal choice. If I had to guess who team USA will start, it would be either Paul (being the best player of the three) or Kidd (being the most experienced).

Dtown84 · Post #7 » by **Dtown84** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 8:00 am

Kidd team USA's something like 38-0 with him in the lineup, plus he built up chemistry from last year with the guys. That said I wouldn't hesitate to pull him if he's struggling.

carrottop12 · Post #8 » by **carrottop12** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 8:19 am

Deron Williams is the ideal PG for them to get 30+ minutes. His size and ability to spread the floor is great. Plus he can score less then 10 ppg, and still open up the middle with his tre, and he doesn't need the ball to contribute. The same thing can't be said for CP3, and Kidd can't spread the floor at all.

Ballings7 · Post #9 » by **Ballings7** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 8:34 am

ShaY · Post #10 » by **ShaY** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 9:38 am

Williams because he is the best shooter , believe me with Kidd other teams will just double Kobe and Lebron and I don't think he can make them pay.

Apollo64 · Post #11 » by **Apollo64** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 12:33 pm

Kidd to run the fastbreak, but i wouldn't mind also running a crazy lineup with LeBron as PG (it was actually tried and worked against Argentina in '06).

durden_tyler · Post #12 » by **durden_tyler** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 1:00 pm

i'd start Kidd because of age. The other two guards energy can be maximized with the "second stringers".

Post #13 » by **kingkirk** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 1:01 pm

Def a nice problem to have. Id personally go with Deron simply out of those guys on the floor (Kobe, James, Dwight , Melo) a consistent shooter from deep is needed. Sure JKidd would be nasty leadng the break, but i couldnt imagine Deron doing a bad job at that. I also like the idea of LBJ playing point for some minutes when some shooters check in, allowing him to bust it on some small point and create for everyone. This team really is nasty

Post #14 » by **rsavaj** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 1:20 pm

Kidd for sure.

An interesting take on it: http://freedarko.blogspot.com/2008/06/c ... iques.html

Malinhion · Post #15 » by **Malinhion** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 1:27 pm

LeBron.

But really, I'd probably start Kidd since his energy off the bench wouldn't be worth much.

Post #16 » by **Shaazzam** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 2:08 pm

Thanks for posting the article. It's one I completely agree with and I'm not sure what needs to be added to it.

celticfan42487 · Post #17 » by **celticfan42487** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 4:00 pm

Kidd is the leader. He's married to that team in that role and if they don't listen he'll beat those punks.

edfmx86 · Post #18 » by **edfmx86** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 4:56 pm

I expect Kidd ot start and deron to be his backup. This is gonna be Derons team in 2012

GJense4181 · Post #19 » by **GJense4181** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 5:41 pm

How large of a rotation have they used in the past?
Because my answer would depend on who the other starters were...which would depend on how deep the rotation is. I would consider bringing one of Kobe/Anthony/James off the bench if it would balance out the first and second units in terms of talent.

ropjhk · Post #20 » by **ropjhk** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 5:50 pm

I has to be Kidd. He's the senior member of the team, and the one who received accolades for way he brought the team together as a cohesive unit.

Paul and Williams are better players, but so much was made about having Kidd on the team. Those two guys will battle it out for the starting spot in 2012.

Who would be your starting PG?