Dream Team 08

[buckybadgerfan]

USA's main weakness was in rebounding. They were often undersized but made up for it with speed.
I'd suggest like some others that they get commitments from guys like KG and Duncan if possible. These guys have size, speed, heart and play great defense.

About Amare? I'd choose substance over hype---with Amare you don't know if you'll get one or the other. He'll be tearing down rims on one play then letting a guy fly by him on another. Although he has improved his shooting dramatically his inside game really hasn't progressed much.

[crazyeights]

In four years, I wouldn't be surprised if Bynum is on the team. He's got legit size, incredible reach, the offense and defense, and great passing for his position.

No matter what people say about Dwight Howard, he is not a legit 7 footer. And in the international rules, where they allow a lot of contact off the ball and gimmicky defenses, Howard can get surprisingly neutralized. Amare is not a remarkably large player, nor Bosh.

If I'm Jerry Colangelo, Bynum has all the signs of being the perfect center for Team USA.

Four years later...how good will Bynum be? Good enough to be an Olympian.

I've been thinking the same thing: Bynum would be great to watch in the Olympics. Hopefully he has his coming out party next season and becomes a legit candidate.

Also, so true: Howard's is very limited, especially in the FIBA-style game. I'm sure he had tons of fun, and I know that Dwight wants to be back for 2012...but I think Stan Van Gundy (wiretap) is right...he should work on his individual skills.

I feel like unless Dwight starts putting in the time to really fill out his game and not just his body, then he's going to see his ceiling a lot sooner than he expects.

[crazyeights]

USA's main weakness was in rebounding. They were often undersized but made up for it with speed.
I'd suggest like some others that they get commitments from guys like KG and Duncan if possible. These guys have size, speed, heart and play great defense.

About Amare? I'd choose substance over hype---with Amare you don't know if you'll get one or the other. He'll be tearing down rims on one play then letting a guy fly by him on another. Although he has improved his shooting dramatically his inside game really hasn't progressed much.

For those suggesting Duncan...now I didn't really recall the Athens games, but I thought he had a tough time there.

Also are we talking about the next Olympics when we say get commitments from KG/Duncan? Those two are going to be pretty old by then. I say move forward with guys like Bynum/Oden.

It's in the best interest of the USA to start them young.

[Gasol16]

Hi

I'm from spain and first of all .. congratulations to the USA team for the gold medal.
I think your was the best in Olympics, but not in the final game.
When I was watching the final on TV I felt really annoyed and full of rage against referees.
I know you people will not understand the feeling I had that moment.
I perfectly know the rules of FIBA Basketball (World rules except NBA competition) and I think I know very well the rules of NBA.
Last Sunday I felt like a man who has been robbed while the police is watching all and helping the thiefs, I'll explain.
Sure, you all know the difference between the rules here and there.
There are some rules you know:

FIBA rules
10 minutes quarters instead 12 in USA
You can touch the ball after touching the arc no matter if the ball is still above it.
Closer 3pointer line.
Zone defense allowed (The higher challenge for NBA people)
.
.
.
.
And the most important one!!! When you start running bouncing the wall you must have the pivot foot on the floor. (Not in NBA where you can step once before bouncing)

Do you know how many times USA team violated this rule?
14 times!
Without this rule of course good and fast players like Kobe or Wade didn't have any problem dribbling the spanish guards who committed a lot of fouls.

This is not criticism against your players or your team. It's just a matter of application of rules.
Did you see Spanish players complaining at referees during all the match? Probably you guys thought Spaniards are always crying when things go wrong, but it's not true. (only sometimes XD)
The most terrible thing was the face of resignation of the referees like saying (Sorry man I cannot apply the official rules)
It's because this I felt so sick !!! It's not possible that USA players have different rules. This situation is repeating in Olympics from I can remember ...

Of course USA players one on one are BY FAR BETTER than spanish ones.
You cannot compare Kobe with Navarro or Wade with Rudy ... and Howard is by far better than Pau.
But IMHO Spanish TEAM did show USA how to play as a team , with balanced annotation figures and playing as a group.

Well. Finished this ENORMOUS CRY ... CONGRATULATIONS again, and hoping NBA starts soon to watch again the best Basketball around the world

C U and forgive my rusty english

[NG15]

I'm surprised a lot of people didn't put Bosh in. I thought he was outstanding this year. The guy gets no respect.

[Gerald3Wallace]

^ i agree...bosh played above my expectations. i even thought he should have started over dwight. The guy played scrappy defense, he hustled, he rebounds and most of all..he hits his freethrows.