International Affairs

[bizarro]

Should have called Otto Porter also. We have plenty of dudes to stomp through this WC if we pick the right ones.

I agree the overall talent gap remains big but in the past we’ve still needed clutch Durant bombs and prime Boogie smashing to pull away from teams who’ve been together forever and have well defined systems. The #1 superstar talent has what’s been able to help overcome the handicaps the USA faces in these tournaments. That’s gone now.

Still think the right mix of skilled, smart 2-way players wouldn't take much of Pop's time to whip into shape. Instead we've got this hodge-podge and it's going to get very dicey. I'm predicting a lot of Kemba and Donovan Mitchell hero ball.

[Chuck Diesel]

Of the guys still available and the rumored replacement list from The Athletic, here are the 12 I’d want in China-

Kemba/Conley/Smart
Mitchell/Brown
Middleton/Richardson
Millsap/Tucker/Young
Lopez/Turner

[Pachinko_]

I don't understand why players and fans in the US collectively DGAF about FIBA ball. To me international competition is absolutely the most exciting thing in sports, plus you get to sit with your mates beer in hand and spew every racial stereotype and WWII story you can remember about the French, Germans, Greeks, Eastern Europeans etc while loosely connecting it with their performance on the floor.

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[vegaspacker]

So, has it been confirmed that Lebron will not avail himself to these games. He's still pretty great even though he is sporting the Emperor's new clothes.

[KidA24]

I don't understand why players and fans in the US collectively DGAF about FIBA ball. To me international competition is absolutely the most exciting thing in sports, plus you get to sit with your mates beer in hand and spew every racial stereotype and WWII story you can remember about the French, Germans, Greeks, Eastern Europeans etc while loosely connecting it with their performance on the floor.

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Because they don't get paid for it.
Because there isn't any exposure for it.
Because if they win they are "supposed to win" so it doesn't matter. The only thing that can happen is bad (like when they finished 6th).

An excuse to be a racist **** is no reason to be a fan of something.

[theFireBlanket]

Might not help FIBA interest from the US with who's in the oval office.

[Chuck Diesel]

Might not help FIBA interest from the US with who's in the oval office.

Maybe, but the staff (Pop/Kerr) have been at the forefront of outspoken opposition.Jerry Colangelo on the other hand...

[theFireBlanket]

Regardless, I'm rooting for Papapetrou-pe. And I'm not Hellenic at all.

[Pachinko_]

An excuse to be a racist **** is no reason to be a fan of something.

Nah it's ok, all you have to do is socialise with people with a brain capable of discerning what is a harmless joke and what isnt.

[Chuck Diesel]

Pat Connaughton named to the USA select team that’ll scrimmage against the World Cup team in Vegas. Hell yeah Pat.

[emunney]

Pat Connaughton named to the USA select team that’ll scrimmage against the World Cup team in Vegas. Hell yeah Pat.

He's gonna do the thing where he dunks on PJ Tucker and has a runny nose.

[chonestown]

Sounds like Harrell is going to be added. Smart move. Faried was one of the better players on the 2014 FIBA team and I see no reason why Trez can't do the same. Nice reward for his previous year as well.

[Chuck Diesel]

Sounds like Harrell is going to be added. Smart move. Faried was one of the better players on the 2014 FIBA team and I see no reason why Trez can't do the same. Nice reward for his previous year as well.

Would love to see Harrell on the squad, but he pulled out almost as soon as Shams announced he was in.

[chonestown]

Sounds like Harrell is going to be added. Smart move. Faried was one of the better players on the 2014 FIBA team and I see no reason why Trez can't do the same. Nice reward for his previous year as well.

Would love to see Harrell on the squad, but he pulled out almost as soon as Shams announced he was in.

Balls.

[UcanUwill]

This is the year USA will lose IMO. So disappointed with draw, my Lithuania got su screwed. we might not even make out of the group, welll fact is that at least one out of Canada, Australia and Lithuania will not. GO and check Chinas group for comparison, what a disaster for our nation.

[AussieBuck]

This is the year USA will lose IMO. So disappointed with draw, my Lithuania got su screwed. we might not even make out of the group, welll fact is that at least one out of Canada, Australia and Lithuania will not. GO and check Chinas group for comparison, what a disaster for our nation.

Canada sucks until proven otherwise. You'll be fine.

[UcanUwill]

This is the year USA will lose IMO. So disappointed with draw, my Lithuania got su screwed. we might not even make out of the group, welll fact is that at least one out of Canada, Australia and Lithuania will not. GO and check Chinas group for comparison, what a disaster for our nation.

Canada sucks until proven otherwise. You'll be fine.

Canada surely doesnt suck. Our best guard is Grigonis while they have guys like Murray or Gilgeous Alexander.

[Chuck Diesel]

Updated preferred USA roster-

Walker/Lowry/Fox
Mitchell/Shamet
Middleton/Brown
Tucker/Barnes
Lopez/Turner/Bam

Injury replacements: Smart, Tatum, Young

Tough call between Fox and Smart, but Fox's speed is too dynamic to pass on. FIBA opponents won't have a prayer of staying in front of him and he'll just make the games more entertaining. Shamet's deep range would be huge and he's feisty enough guard different sized guys. Just can't trust Smart enough offensively. Barnes provides some second unit scoring punch. Rather have Bam as my third spot minute/energy big than Drummond. He's better defensively and would probably more cool with less minutes. Brown does a lot more for me than Tatum.

[Chuck Diesel]

Jaren Jackson in the mix. Drummond out.Hell yeah.

[emunney]

Where are guys like Hield (is he eligible or has he suited up for Bahamas?), Kennard, Justin Jackson, Winslow?