Eh, kinda early for an olympics thread, but since we're at it :
Kidd left the team in 2000, and team USA never won gold at the worlds or olympics ever since then. (The 2000 team kicked ass btw, that was easily the best basketball team I've ever seen playin under fiba rules)
Now that Kidd is back, gold will be in the bag for sure.
Dude's a monster in FIBA ball and has all the experience of having played lots in the pre-handcheck rules era. The hancheck rules are the main reason quickness isn't as important in FIBA b-ball as it is in the NBA
The 2006 team was too young and didn't have enuf shooters.
The 2004 team's problem was that they had AI at the point
The last thing u want on a team filled with scorers is a shoot first PG runnin the show. Coach K got it figured right when he left Arenas off the team.
Too bad for Duncan he didn't have the right PG playin with him
This team's much better and more balanced then the other post-2000 teams.
Kobe >>>> Wade in FIBA ball since ur shooting guard HAS to be a good shooter (to break the zone defenses international teams always use)
He also learned how to play basketball under FIBA rules in the first place, since he grew up in Italy, and he doesn't hesitate to get physical on defense and take advantage of the FIBA rules (like he did vs Barbosa at the Americas tournament last year).
I hope Melo doesn't get cut. He's actually one of the best under FIBA rules since :
1) The 3 point line is closer and Melo's jumper is money from FIBA 3 point range
2) Unlike LBJ and Dwight (the good cute lil soulja boy fans), Melo doesn't hesitate to get physical and play hardball.
Outta the young guys on the post 2000 teams that aren't familiar with the no-handcheck rules in the NBA (LBJ, Paul, Bosh, Amare, Dwight, Melo), Melo's the only guy who really gets physical and takes advantage of the FIBA rules.
Dwight cud be a flat out monster with his freakish body if he parked under the rim and lost the "get outta paint in 3 seconds" reflex.
LBJ also needs to quit worrying bout his lily white image and smack the scrubs on their asses hard...
Anyways, Spain-Usa shud be an awesome matchup, easily the best outta the early games.
