Team USA 2012

[J_Posse]

Since it's pretty slow around here with this damn lockout going on, something interesting pop into my head at work today. How will the next team USA be constructed for the 2012 Olympics? I was wondering other people's opinion on the subject and how they'd construct the team. Who do y'all think will opt out or will be snubbed? Colangelo has a lot of options to go to with the next team, IMO. Here is how my 15 man roster would look:

(b)Starters(/b)

PG. Chris Paul
SG. Dwyane Wade
SF. Kevin Durant
PF. LeBron James
C. Dwight Howard

(b)Bench(/b)
SF. Carmelo Anthony
PG. Deron Williams
PF/C. LaMarcus Aldridge
PF. Kevin Love
C. Tyson Chandler
SG/SF. Wesley Matthews
PG. Derrick Rose

On the bubble
SG/SF. Kyle Korver
PF. Blake Griffin or Zach Randolph
SG. Kevin Martin or Joe Johnson
PG. Rusell Westbrook or Stephen Curry

Note: I'm still mulling over my last three chooses, so I'll make a definitive picks later.

Sent from Spurs Nation HQ

[untrugby]

Re: Team USA 2012

No love for rondo? with the rules changing to more NBA-like ones hes a great pick IMO

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA 2012

Are we going with who we think should be on it or what we think the roster will actually look like.

I'm thinking that Kobe will get on the roster, if Kobe wants to play that is.

Wes Matthews is an underrated [by fans' standards, not his contract] player but there's no way in hell he deserves to be on the team nor will he get on. And I love Wes Matthews.

These are actually my picks of what I would want and what I think it might look like when it's all said and done.

CP3/Williams/Rose
Wade/Kobe/Curry
Durant/Melo
James/Stoudamire/Love
Howard

Alternates in order by position

Rondo/Wall
Westbrook/K. Martin
J. Johnson/Granger
Griffin/Bosh
Chandler/Aldridge

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Team USA 2012

no 3 point specialists ex?

[DukeC]

Re: Team USA 2012

I think Curry, Granger, and Martin (Kevin right?) are his 3pt specialists. Or they at least make them regularly.

Durant could be considered one if he's on that day. Otherwise he's more of a jumpshooter/scorer. He's just a bigger and lengthier Kevin Martin IMO.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA 2012

I think Curry and Durant can handle the 3 point duties. Not to mention isn't the three point line shorter in FIBA?

I think even LeBron, Kobe, Melo, D. Williams and some of the other guys will be able to help out.

The 2008 team had Redd as their three point guy, so I think my roster would hold up just fine. You can however swap Joe Johnson for Derrick Rose and I would be equally as pleased with the roster.

I do also have a bit of hope in the back of my mind that we see Blake Griffin.

The one thing I feel is that Amare actually won't be there, since he hasn't been in the program. They'll probably get a defensive specialist on the roster.

[Kashanova]

Re: Team USA 2012

Since it's pretty slow around here with this damn lockout going on, something interesting pop into my head at work today. How will the next team USA be constructed for the 2012 Olympics? I was wondering other people's opinion on the subject and how they'd construct the team. Who do y'all think will opt out or will be snubbed? Colangelo has a lot of options to go to with the next team, IMO. Here is how my 15 man roster would look:

(b)Starters(/b)

PG. Chris Paul
SG. Dwyane Wade
SF. Kevin Durant
PF. LeBron James
C. Dwight Howard

(b)Bench(/b)
SF. Carmelo Anthony
PG. Deron Williams
PF/C. LaMarcus Aldridge
PF. Kevin Love
C. Tyson Chandler
SG/SF. Wesley Matthews
PG. Derrick Rose

On the bubble
SG/SF. Kyle Korver
PF. Blake Griffin or Zach Randolph
SG. Kevin Martin or Joe Johnson
PG. Rusell Westbrook or Stephen Curry

Note: I'm still mulling over my last three chooses, so I'll make a definitive picks later.

Sent from Spurs Nation HQ

i agree with this roster, not having kobe on there would improve the defense immensely

[AlexBrady]

Re: Team USA 2012

I would pick from a pool of these players:

LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Dwight Howard
Dwyane Wade
Deron Williams
Kevin Durant
Rajon Rondo
Andre Iguodala
Ray Allen
George Hill
Kevin Love
Nick Collison
Tony Allen
DeAndre Jordan
Arron Afflalo

Its about trying to find the perfect mix of defense, power, shooting, and toughness.

[Colts18]

Re: Team USA 2012

^ Nice touch with Afflalo and Collison

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA 2012

Agreed with Afflalo, he could be the Tayshaun Prince of the team if they're looking to have that one perimeter stopper. He can also spot up from the perimeter nicely.

Collison however is definitely not needed and Noah is playing for the French team.

[J_Posse]

I would pick from a pool of these players:

LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Dwight Howard
Dwyane Wade
Deron Williams
Kevin Durant
Rajon Rondo
Andre Iguodala
Ray Allen
George Hill
Kevin Love
Nick Collison
Tony Allen
DeAndre Jordan
Arron Afflalo

Its about trying to find the perfect mix of defense, power, shooting, and toughness.

I don't believe Allen would want to play, and Hill isn't seasoned enough to contribute in big international games/tournaments. He's known to shrink and lose his confidence easily.

I like Matthews because he'd bring very good defense and three-point shooting to the team. Either he or Afflalo could bring a defensive attitude to an offensive-oriented team.

I figure were picking the team we believe could win gold again.

Sent from Spurs Nation HQ

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA 2012

Yeah George Hill and Collison probably aren't realistic.

Thing is, I'm pretty sure whomever get chosen had to have been in the program.

Which would exclude Affllao, Matthews, Tony Allen, Jordan etc. etc.

They'd probably go with Iggy if they wanted to get a designated wing defender, although Matthews, Allen aren't bad choices either.. just I think the politics and the fact that guys have priority..

[TMagic]

Not enough love for Melo, IMO. Melo has been the USAs best/most consistent scorer. He thrives in international play.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA 2012

I can guarantee that Melo will be on the roster as much as LeBron, Wade and Howard.

Melo was arguably the best player in 2008, and he should definitely be on everyone's list IMO. I would say in 2008 it was LBJ, Wade and Melo for MVP

[AlexBrady]

Re: Team USA 2012

I can guarantee that Melo will be on the roster as much as LeBron, Wade and Howard.

Melo was arguably the best player in 2008, and he should definitely be on everyone's list IMO. I would say in 2008 it was LBJ, Wade and Melo for MVP

I would certainly say Kobe Bryant was the leading light on the 08 team, followed closely by Dwyane Wade.

Carmelo is a versatile one on one scorer but LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Williams, Durant, and Iguodala specialize in that area. And against zones, one on one scoring is less effective.
Snappy ball and man movement is a necessity and Melo does neither at an acceptable level.

Mathews is a strong bodied guy but his defense isn't top notch yet. George Hill is smart, versatile, and can play long armed defense.