Rondo and Perk invited to be part of USA select team

[Scalamental]

I'd say Tyson Chandler is a superior defender. Desagana Diop is probably equal to Perk, but I don't believe he is a citizen of the US. Sean Williams with New Jersey is a total turd but IMO will be a phenomenal defender if he ever gets a chance to play 25-30 MPG. Dampier is very similar to Perkins. Brendan Haywood is a pretty good defensive big and much more skilled offensively. Sam Dalembert is also very good on D and with his ability to run the court much better in the international game, though I think like Diop he is not a US citizen. Okafor is probably about as good a defender and a more adept scorer and more swift up and down the court. Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge are also likely to become near-equal defenders and much better offensive players; Aldridge may already be near Perk's talent on D.

So, if you want to find a youngish player who can be groomed for the next Olympics as a center who can defend, I'd look at the following guys before Perk:

Okafor, Oden, Aldridge, Chandler, Haywood

Sean Williams and Josh Boone also have good defensive upside and equal/better offensive skill to Perk.

Aldridge is definitely not nearly as good as Perk is on D, and neither is Josh effin Boone or Sean Williams who is as raw and slim as a carrot. Oden can't be spoken for yet. Okafor puts up good numbers, but how does he do against anyone over 7'. Desagana Diop is a different kind of center than Perk, I wouldn't necessarily say he was better though.

All of the mentioned have a better offensive game than Perk, but as far as defense is concerned I think your completely underrating Perk.

[Datruth345]

i think this also speaks to Ainges drafting abilities

perk rondo and jefferson were all picks by him, and have been invited to try out as the future of team usa

pretty cool

[GuyClinch]

Umm. You don't need a defensive center for FIBA ball. Any old stiff can camp in the lane in FIBA. What you need is a center with a J. Is NOT NBA ball..

What great defensive center did the last basketball world championship team have?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain_nati ... tball_team

Earth to POSTERS. Pau Gasol WON THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP last time. Perkins is a waste of time for international ball. If they are really "grooming" him they are tanking stupid pills..

Pete

[TheCelticTruth]

im a little afraid of the part that says theyre going to "learn" from pj carlesimo. i hope they block him out and just bring ipods with a podcast of doc and thibodeau yelling about defense.

perk tho, despite his lesser status, wouldnt be a terrible addition to the senior team right now, because he actually plays physically.

Non Celtics Team USA prediction: chris paul will take kidd's spot, write that down

[GuyClinch]

God lets hope so - Kidd is the worst PG for international ball imaginable - and one of the more overrated players of his generation.

[TheCelticTruth]

kidd played a big part in the improved performance last time around in my opinion, based on his leadership and true pg skills. no one can deny kidd makes a real impact on the floor.

its just that chris paul does everything better.

chris paul is right now the very definition of what a point guard should be. i cant believe there was even discussion as to whether hed be on the team or not. deron is good too, but as of now its time to leave the links between the two behind.

if paul pierce wasnt already the truth, CP3 would be the point-Truth

[Geech]

How about Team USA have a best of 3 against the Celtics?

It may seem that we're outmatched at times if you look at it the one on one matchups and bench depth, but then again we work as a team, but then again they should be much more familiar with International/Olympic rules. I think it would be very interesting to do and may be a once in a lifetime thing, seeing that this year the NBA Champs do not have anyone on any Olympic team (USA or other).

[SeizeCoup]

I'd like the chances of the Celtics competing (as the US team) for a world championship/olympics. Because they are a good unit, and they know how to play with each other, so that offsets the disadvantage of playing against teams and guys that they aren't used to playing against.

But if the C's played the US national team (as the roster stands at this time) it would probably be advantage national team, if only because they know our team, our game, our style, having played against all of our players. We are less of an unknown.

Regardless though, one thing is for sure, Ray would KILL it shooting those threes from so close.

[GuyClinch]

kidd played a big part in the improved performance last time around in my opinion, based on his leadership and true pg skills. no one can deny kidd makes a real impact on the floor.

If he had leadership and true PG skills - they wouldn't have gotten punked. Hitting a jumper is actually a necessary skill for a basketball player at the international level. As for PP he got paired with an even worse shooter - Andre Miller. It's no wonder the USA can't win a championship.

Chris Paul who shots better then either of those clowns - would be an upgrade I agree..

Pete

[GuyClinch]

I'd like the chances of the Celtics competing (as the US team) for a world championship/olympics. Because they are a good unit, and they know how to play with each other, so that offsets the disadvantage of playing against teams and guys that they aren't used to playing against.

C's would go small - and could do very well. This lineup would be good for international ball.

Posey/KG/Pierce
House/Ray Allen

I REALLY believe that we could kick the crap out of the current US team with that lineup. I know you think I am crazy. But all those guys can shoot. Team USA would feature Kidd and Lebron on the same lineup. That's two guys you can leave alone on the perimeter. And if that wasn't enough we can just leave guys in the lane to stop Lebron from charging in there - though he wouldn't get those foul calls anyway in FIBA ball.

The only problem is we would be lacking some depth...

Pete

[SeizeCoup]

Ummm... isn't Kidd undefeated in international play? Why all this hate? He is great for guiding an all-star collection of players such as this USA team. He is sooo good at settinp up teammates, his court vision is out of control. I got mad love for CP, but please stop acting like Kidd hasn't done (and can't continue to do) a great job running the point for the national team.

[Datruth345]

i also think the celtics would win the gold if they played in the tournament