International Hoops thread

[Kanyewest]

I figure Wall will be playing in pro-ams anyways so it might as well be against better competition which would give him a better opportunity to work on his game.

Based on the stats, Wall should have made it over Irving. But Wall really didn't seem like he wanted the spot with his performance and decisions he made in the Team USA scrimmage. Counter that with someone like Rose who looked like he was playing with a chip on his shoulder. Yes I understand the guys that were put around Wall were not great (DeRoazan, Hayward, Plumlee, Korver) but Wall still could have been more aggressive out there offensively (he passed up an easy layup for a showtime assist) or at least shown better decision making.

I agree that Irving may have been favored by Coach K, but I don't think Wall did anything at least in the scrimmage to disprove that perception. I don't think Wall would have been as good as Westbrook, yet looking at the roster, Team USA does need a point guard that can defend.

Beal played well but it looks like Team USA wanted more proven commodities out there in Korver. Beal looked to be a bit off in terms of defense. But he was knocking down shots and scoring in a variety of ways.

[hands11]

[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...

They got to network.
They got some good practice in.
They got out healthy.



And they still have goals to achieve if they are interested in making the team later.

Time to rest.
Time to get in individual work ...

Beal and Wall both on their handles.
Wall on his post game shooting.

Hopefully Wall and Beal call together some practice with Otto, Glen, D Blair and Hump and build some chemistry. Maybe Paul and Gortat can even stop by for a few days just to build a bond.

[closg00]

The fact is both players had a good week,” Colangelo said. “Beal is a player who has been involved with USA Basketball in the past and I feel confident that he will be part of the future because he’s an outstanding talent. This was strictly a numbers situation with him.

“As it relates to John Wall, you look at the guards moving forward in terms of our point guards and he’s truly a point with great size and really very good defensively and that was a tough call as it relates to asking him not to go forward because of the people we felt were ahead of him in terms of talent and what they might bring to this particular team. But John also has put his time in with USA Basketball and I believe we’ll hear from him in the future also.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... dley-beal/

Pretty much what has been kicked around on this thread. The other PG's are ahead of Wall and Beal isn't quite ready yet.

[dckingsfan]

My two cents in defense of Wall... there are just so many good point guards in the L right now - possibly the best crop of PGs ever. It is easy to get lost when you are mixed with Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic, Kyrie Irving, Mike Conley, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo and Eric Bledsoe.

But to Wall's credit, he is in the conversation... closg, you are probably right that he isn't yet judged to be elite in that group - hope he gets there - go John.

[Illmatic12]

The fact is both players had a good week,” Colangelo said. “Beal is a player who has been involved with USA Basketball in the past and I feel confident that he will be part of the future because he’s an outstanding talent. This was strictly a numbers situation with him.

“As it relates to John Wall, you look at the guards moving forward in terms of our point guards and he’s truly a point with great size and really very good defensively and that was a tough call as it relates to asking him not to go forward because of the people we felt were ahead of him in terms of talent and what they might bring to this particular team. But John also has put his time in with USA Basketball and I believe we’ll hear from him in the future also.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... dley-beal/

Pretty much what has been kicked around on this thread. The other PG's are ahead of Wall and Beal isn't quite ready yet.

It's really not a slight, all the point guards ahead of Wall are more talented offensively (we knew that coming in) and that seems to be what they were looking for on this team.

And keep in mind Lillard probably won't make it either, he will probably be in the next round of cuts. He shouldn't feel slighted either.

[noobcake]

The fact is both players had a good week,” Colangelo said. “Beal is a player who has been involved with USA Basketball in the past and I feel confident that he will be part of the future because he’s an outstanding talent. This was strictly a numbers situation with him.

“As it relates to John Wall, you look at the guards moving forward in terms of our point guards and he’s truly a point with great size and really very good defensively and that was a tough call as it relates to asking him not to go forward because of the people we felt were ahead of him in terms of talent and what they might bring to this particular team. But John also has put his time in with USA Basketball and I believe we’ll hear from him in the future also.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... dley-beal/

Pretty much what has been kicked around on this thread. The other PG's are ahead of Wall and Beal isn't quite ready yet.

I mean all the Wall homers on this board have been telling us for years that Wall >>> Irving. It's alright. RealGM posters are obviously better talent evaluators than Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Tom Thibodeau, Monty Williams, and Jerry Colangelo.

[dckingsfan]

I mean all the Wall homers on this board have been telling us for years that Wall >>> Irving.

That's because Wall is better than Irving. And no, there is never any politics in basketball

[MarcoPolo]

[Kanyewest]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ear ... -american/

[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.

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

This article articulates what I can't...

[stevemcqueen1]

Durant's withdrew from Team USA.

This team is such a let down.

[stevemcqueen1]

I wonder if this move isn't part of the Under Armor negotiations.

[Induveca]

I see Spain taking the tournament at this point. I've always thought they could beat this team, even with Durant. Now I see Spain as the clear favorite. Vegas odds even now have Spain at 2-1 post the Durant decision.

Relying on a rusty Rose, undersized Curry, untested DeRozan, temperamental Cousins and Anthony Davis against battle tested Spain?

Spain wins.

[Ruzious]

I see Spain taking the tournament at this point. I've always thought they could beat this team, even with Durant. Now I see Spain as the clear favorite. Vegas odds even now have Spain at 2-1 post the Durant decision.

Relying on a rusty Rose, undersized Curry, untested DeRozan, temperamental Cousins and Anthony Davis against battle tested Spain?

Spain wins.

Anthony Davis can make up for a whole lot of deficiencies - and it's not like the rest of the team is garbage. Losing Durant hurts, but the team still has shooters. Shooters, defense, and running is a good enough combo for the US to win it all.

My thinking on these games - just do the Olympics. It's just too much wear and tear to expect these guys to do this every year. Once every 4 years is enough.

[stevemcqueen1]

There's a good chance Davis isn't ready to carry the team.

IMO it's going to be on Harden and Curry. And Cousins if they take him. One of those three will lead the team in scoring and we'll go as far as they take us.

This team ended up being a ramshackle affair and Colangelo and Coach K made a mistake in sending Wall and Beal and Millsap home this early. They don't get to use the lack of talent excuse when they sent two All Stars home in favor of keeping guys like Mason Plumlee and Kyle Korver and Gordon Hayward around for a longer look.

[Illmatic12]

I see Spain taking the tournament at this point. I've always thought they could beat this team, even with Durant. Now I see Spain as the clear favorite. Vegas odds even now have Spain at 2-1 post the Durant decision.

Relying on a rusty Rose, undersized Curry, untested DeRozan, temperamental Cousins and Anthony Davis against battle tested Spain?

Spain wins.

Anthony Davis can make up for a whole lot of deficiencies - and it's not like the rest of the team is garbage. Losing Durant hurts, but the team still has shooters. Shooters, defense, and running is a good enough combo for the US to win it all.

My thinking on these games - just do the Olympics. It's just too much wear and tear to expect these guys to do this every year. Once every 4 years is enough.

It was just a scrimmage, but Anthony Davis looked pretty bad in the Blue/White game.

He's an immensely talented player and we're all excited about his future, but I think we're barking up the wrong tree expecting a 21yo to carry us in international competition.

People forget how many close calls Team USA has had over the years, even since the post-Redeem Team era. To be honest, I wouldn't bat an eye if this team lost to Spain. The Gasol bros and Ibaka are better than probably half our current roster.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Durant's withdrew from Team USA.

This team is such a let down.

This is good. Now none of the three Wizards is going to wear himself down playing for team USA.

Future teammates Wall, Beal and Durant can have some fun getting jiggy at Barry Farms.

[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.

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

This article articulates what I can't...

Haha and now with the article:
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/ ... colangelos

[MarcoPolo]

Tonight Nenê Hilário to play a game (surprise, surprise)... vs.USA. I'm curious to see how he will adapt to the national role there.

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... il-8-15-14

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

More durable than Paul George in international play.