International Hoops thread

[Earth2Ted]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/496437458549342209[/tweet]

Ah, well. That's the end of that.

It's all good. If it helps us get Wall and Beal rested, healthy, and with a chip on their shoulder going into regular season, I'll take it.

Now, if we could only find a way to get Nene cut from Team Brasil...

[Ruzious]

I think we got a little taste of reality - both Wall and Beal aren't what the publicity says they are.

They aren't one of the best up-and-coming backcourts in the league?

If you listen to most of the media people - local and Barkley - Wall already took the step to greatness by dramatically improving his jump shot. But his overall performance wasn't any better than the previous years. And Beal isn't even a good starter yet. It shows the sad state of affairs for the US team that he'd even get a look. Will he get better? Yes, but people talk like it's a guarantee that he'll be all-star caliber. It's not. At least wait until he's even a good starter.

[Kanyewest]

I think we got a little taste of reality - both Wall and Beal aren't what the publicity says they are.

They aren't one of the best up-and-coming backcourts in the league?

If you listen to most of the media people - local and Barkley - Wall already took the step to greatness by dramatically improving his jump shot. But his overall performance wasn't any better than the previous years. And Beal isn't even a good starter yet. It shows the sad state of affairs for the US team that he'd even get a look. Will he get better? Yes, but people talk like it's a guarantee that he'll be all-star caliber. It's not. At least wait until he's even a good starter.

I agree that Beal has been average for the most part as a starter with the Wizards. As for the sad state of US basketball though, guys like OJ Mayo tried out in 2010 , so it relatively isn't that sad. I feel like Beal was given a shot because he does one thing well which was shoot 3s. Team USA would rather have someone like Korver though who does that one thing better. Considering his competition (DeRozan and Thompson), Beal could pass them in terms of development.

[FreeBalling]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/496437458549342209[/tweet]

Ah, well. That's the end of that.

Better that both got cut then just one.

Anyone disappointed about our players getting released? I'm not.

[stevemcqueen1]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/496437458549342209[/tweet]

Ah, well. That's the end of that.

Better that both got cut then just one.

Anyone disappointed about our players getting released? I'm not.

Eh, I'm disappointed. I wanted to see them play for Team USA. It would have given me reason to care about the tournament. I also think it's an insult to them they were the first cuts. And I also think this version of Team USA isn't shaping up to be that good, and that both of them could have helped the program and were cut loose while inferior players were kept.

But my disappointment is mitigated by them getting the rest of the summer off. Both of them got worn down by last season, there was some concern about that carrying over into next year if they played for Team USA. More than anything, I'm looking forward to next season.

[pancakes3]

I think Durant by himself makes the team competitive and Curry/Harden makes them favorites. Rose coming back at a high level is just icing on the cake.

At the very least, it's more talented than the team in 2010 that took gold.

[Illmatic12]

I think we got a little taste of reality - both Wall and Beal aren't what the publicity says they are.

They aren't one of the best up-and-coming backcourts in the league?

If you listen to most of the media people - local and Barkley - Wall already took the step to greatness by dramatically improving his jump shot. But his overall performance wasn't any better than the previous years. And Beal isn't even a good starter yet. It shows the sad state of affairs for the US team that he'd even get a look. Will he get better? Yes, but people talk like it's a guarantee that he'll be all-star caliber. It's not. At least wait until he's even a good starter.

Beal got a look because he's been in the Team USA system for some time and they seemingly expect him to eventually be a member of the team in the future. I don't think he was ever seriously expected to make the final roster for the 2014 WC, he was invited to promote a sense of continuity. And it's not like he sucked or embarrassed himself, from what I saw he held his own on both ends of the floor compared to some of the other wings.

Wall got cut because there's a logjam at point guard. Being passed over for Rose, Curry, Irving is hardly an insult.

Most likely, they knew they had no use for Wall on Team USA due to the pg logjam, but decided to cut him and Beal at the same time because it would go over more smoothly (the Washington Wizards get both of their players back at the same time + no chance of creating friction between Wall/Beal)

[dckingsfan]

I think I understand what Ruzious is trying to communicate. Wall/Beal are not yet elite NBA players (definition of elite is most likely the problem) and that it was inevitable that they would be cut.

The question is where they should both be ranked at their positions within the confines of the US National team (and for the international game).

If they are both top 5 but not top 3 then they most likely would be cut.

The question really is, can they become top 3 players at their respective positions.

[closg00]

I think I understand what Ruzious is trying to communicate. Wall/Beal are not yet elite NBA players (definition of elite is most likely the problem) and that it was inevitable that they would be cut.

The question is where they should both be ranked at their positions within the confines of the US National team (and for the international game).

If they are both top 5 but not top 3 then they most likely would be cut.

The question really is, can they become top 3 players at their respective positions.

Ruz was right, this was an open competition and John could not knock Curry, Rose, or Irving out of a slot. I do think that Beal is on a trajectory to make the team in the future, JW not so-much.

[BullsFTW]

I actually think Wall should've made the team over Kyrie. Wall is more of a floor general and plays way better defense. To be quite honest, Kyrie had the advantage of making the team over Wall from the get go, not because he is better, but with his relationship with Coach K.

I'm surprised Beal got cut this early as well. I thought he was decent.

[mohammed10]

I think I understand what Ruzious is trying to communicate. Wall/Beal are not yet elite NBA players (definition of elite is most likely the problem) and that it was inevitable that they would be cut.

The question is where they should both be ranked at their positions within the confines of the US National team (and for the international game).

If they are both top 5 but not top 3 then they most likely would be cut.

The question really is, can they become top 3 players at their respective positions.

I must have missed where Miles Plumlee became elite...

[mohammed10]

I actually think Wall should've made the team over Kyrie. Wall is more of a floor general and plays way better defense. To be quite honest, Kyrie had the advantage of making the team over Wall from the get go, not because he is better, but with his relationship with Coach K.

I'm surprised Beal got cut this early as well. I thought he was decent.

One thing that's refreshing is reading the comments on the NBA.com posts about this news.

Two years ago, it would have been “Yeah, John Wall sucks, Kyrie owns him.” Now, it’s “How could they possibly cut John Wall? That guy actually knows how to pass!” Definitely a sign of the Wizards (and John in particular) gaining some real, well deserved national recognition.

[Illmatic12]

I think I understand what Ruzious is trying to communicate. Wall/Beal are not yet elite NBA players (definition of elite is most likely the problem) and that it was inevitable that they would be cut.

The question is where they should both be ranked at their positions within the confines of the US National team (and for the international game).

If they are both top 5 but not top 3 then they most likely would be cut.

The question really is, can they become top 3 players at their respective positions.

Team USA doesn't choose players based on where they rank at their positions, or how 'elite' they are. Simply look at the fact that an All-Star Millsap was cut in favor of Kenneth Faried, and Mason Plumlee. Are Faried and Plumlee elite NBA players? Is Korver an elite NBA player? etc.

[mohammed10]

FYI - Beal was in DC balling last night, he's all good (Goodman League in Barry Farms)

[Illmatic12]

I actually think Wall should've made the team over Kyrie. Wall is more of a floor general and plays way better defense. To be quite honest, Kyrie had the advantage of making the team over Wall from the get go, not because he is better, but with his relationship with Coach K.

I'm surprised Beal got cut this early as well. I thought he was decent.

One thing that's refreshing is reading the comments on the NBA.com posts about this news.

Two years ago, it would have been “Yeah, John Wall sucks, Kyrie owns him.” Now, it’s “How could they possibly cut John Wall? That guy actually knows how to pass!” Definitely a sign of the Wizards (and John in particular) gaining some real, well deserved national recognition.

This, there was actually somewhat of a blowback after Wall was cut, a lot of basketball people and fans on twitter, and on the ESPN poll didn't agree with the decision.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/HPbasketball/status/496438564360818688[/tweet]

After seeing how successful Westbrook was as a defensive hound and guy to push the pace, you would think Wall could have been tapped for the same role. But Irving was clearly guaranteed a spot from Coach K before this whole thing even started, the idea of it being a "competition" was a farce.

This quote by Jerry Colangelo was from July 22

“Being chosen for the Select Team is an honor and an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball’s National Team program in the future. In the past, current national team players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, as well as many other outstanding players got their USA National Team start through the Select Team.”

Irving already mentioned as being on the National Team, yet he has never suited up for USMNT like the other players on that list. Hmm...

[stevemcqueen1]

I think Durant by himself makes the team competitive and Curry/Harden makes them favorites. Rose coming back at a high level is just icing on the cake.

At the very least, it's more talented than the team in 2010 that took gold.

I don't know, that 2010 team was pretty good. They had Durant and Curry then too, but they also had Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, and Rose was MVP Rose then, not two years removed from competitive basketball Rose.

Plus that team had vet leaders like Billups, Odom, Chandler, Iggy, and Granger. Durant is basically all you have now. This group is almost entirely comprised of guys drafted in the last three years. You see the names and think, "Woah, a lot of big talents." But very very few of these guys are seasoned, proven performers. Combine that with the fact that there are so many new faces in camp with very few holdovers from 2012 and you're going to have chemistry issues.

I think we've easily got the most raw talent, but the team itself has too many questions in the front court and too many questions with the PGs. I think we're going to end up watching a lot of poorly executed fast breaks and ISO ball and I think our defense is going to be pretty bad. That's where I think Wall could have helped, but even then, he's not a proven performer either. And there aren't any obvious solutions in the front court. I have a bad feeling we're going to be watching too much of Durant at the 5.

Durant, Curry, and Harden are going to have to carry us. And I think we basically have to take Cousins and play him and hope for the best.

[Higga]

I'm a tad disappointed but after seeing that gruesome Paul George injury, I'm glad our guys are out.

Irving is a better shooter than Wall so he's the better international player. That and of course the whole Coach K connection.

Plumlee repping Team USA? Really?

[pancakes3]

1) The chemistry issue is moot at best, and works in the current squad's favor if anything. There is literally not a single member of the Redeem Team 2008 that also played in 2010.
2) Anthony Davis single handedly is more talented than any frontcourt player in 2010 - sophomore season Kevin Love included.

I don't know what reservations coach K has about Cousins and Drummond that he's thinking of bringing Plumlee along but if you want to pit a lineup of:

Rose/Westbrook
Curry/Gordon
Durant/Gay
Love/Odom
Chandler

up against

Rose/Lillard
Harden/Curry
Durant/DeRozan
Davis/Faried
Drummond

I say the 2nd squad is more talented because of Davis and the bench.

[cdouglas]

Both Wall and Beal have to prove they should've been on that roster. They will need to work on improving their game and be ready in September. I'm sure this has been an humbling experience for both of them.

[Rafael122]

The Paul George stuff scares the **** out of me. Freak injury, stuff happens, I get it, but you don't want to risk these guys getting hurt playing in games like this. It's why I fear the worse with Nene playing for Brazil this summer. Wall and Beal should go to Turks and Caicos and just chill for a few weeks and relax.