FIBA World Championships, Or the next place to see Grizzlies Players after Summer League. Options

[Wells]

Based upon the Spears article, here's the breakdown of the players participating in the USA Basketball Summer Camp to determine the FIBA team.

Guards
Rajon Rondo
Chauncey Billups
Stephen Curry
Tyreke Evens
Eric Gordon
O. J. Mayo
Derrick Rose
Russell Westbrook

Forwards
Rudy Gay
Lamar Odom
Kevin Durant
Danny Granger
Jeff Green
Andre Iguodala
Kevin Love
Gerald Wallace

Centers
Amare Stoudamire
Tyson Chanler
David Lee
Brook Lopez
Robin Lopez

With the squad size limited to twelve players, selection will be interesting. For the Olympics, they went with only one true center, Dwight Howard, and used Bosh and Boozer when he needed rest or had foul trouble. That team was very guard heavy (Kobe, Wade, Kidd, Williams, Paul, Redd) with the forwards being interchangeable (LeBron, Carmelo, Prince). But it is pretty obvious this roster is not as versatile.

I have some thoughts of my own as to the selections, but before I air them, I would like to hear which players other posters believe will make the cut as the US national team.

I said I would get back to my thoughts, and now is as good a time as any.

I have edited the list above to reflect the two changes that were announced. Prior to those changes, my roster was fairly solid, I believed, based upon my knowledge of the players and my knowledge of the coaching philosophy of Mike Krzyzewski. Following the changes, I have a couple of doubts.

I went to Duke in the mid 80's, the heyday of the first big teams there under Coach K. I used to play video games against Tommy Amaker and Mark Alarie (suckers for outside curves in Tekmo Baseball). Krzyzewski's team structure has always been built around defense: hard-nosed, in your face, man-to-man defense. His athletes have always been in good condition, with plenty of stamina, to run that type of defense for forty minutes a game. And the Beijing Olympics team played that style of basketball. Every player on that team committed to playing hard defense. If you doubt me, look at the last two NBA all defensive teams and see how many of those Olympic players are on the lists.

The problem here is that the defensive strength of this secondary roster is not as strong as the Beijing team. Still, some equivalencies could be suggested. The overall defensive strength might be less, but the offensive firepower might be increased.

At Beijing, I pointed out the big rotation was Howard, Bosh & Boozer. With the first list of players, I saw the closest equivalency to that as Brook Lopez, Amare Stoudamire, and Lamar Odom. Lopez is not as good a defender as Dwight Howard, but he was the only true Center there, plus he is a definite offensive upgrade. Odom is the best defender of the three, and Amare is basically offensive firepower personified.

At the wing forward positions, LeBron, Carmelo Anthony & Tayshaun Prince was an interesting combination. 'Melo was the offensive juggernaut, LeBron was the doing everything guy, and Prince was the defensive stopper. I believe a similar triumvirate exists in Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay & Gerald Wallace. Wallace is the strongest defender, while Rudy is offense. Few will deny that Durant is an adequate defender, while being an offensive threat as soon as he steps on the court.

At point, Beijing had Kidd, Paul & Williams. My match for those three for Turkey are Billups, Rondo & Rose (over Westbrook, but it is close). Michael Redd was the designated zone buster, and I doubt anyone would argue that Stephen Curry can handle that assignment. That leaves Kobe and Wade, with the possibilities for the two spots being Tyreke, O. J. and Eric Gordon. All three can fill up the scoreboard, but I shade Evens and Mayo for their defensive abilities over Gordon.

The addition of Robin Lopez is what gives me doubts now. Robin is the better defender of the Lopez twins, plus they showed at Stanford that they can play together on the court. If Robin is added, then the whole balancing act gets shifted. I do not see Amare or Odom being left off, as they provide experience, as does Billups & Wallace. Durant, Rondo, Rose & Gay have all been pretty much givens by most observers, and Tyreke and Curry have both gotten lots of press as being heavy favorites. O. J. is the man on the bubble here. He is going to need an impressive camp in order to make the team.

[ebevan91]

Are there other NBA players not playing for their country's team, like Dirk and Kaman for Germany?

What about Manu for Argentina?

[ebevan91]

Colangelo tried to take a hard line, that anyone who did not take part in the World Championships, barring an injury, would not be eligible for the London Olympics, but backed down when he collectively got the finger from all the big names who were free agents. Once he made exceptions for them, the rest of the team decided to bow out this summer. But USA Basketball has left it open for people skipping the trip to Turkey to play in London.

I would expect them to play in the Olympics. I mean, it's the OLYMPICS man. Only every 4 years, but then again so is FIBA. But more people will watch the Olympics than FIBA for sure.

[Wells]

Are there other NBA players not playing for their country's team, like Dirk and Kaman for Germany?

What about Manu for Argentina?

Ginobli is not on the Argentine roster.

In a recent release, major changes were announced to the Serbian Team, where five players on their preliminary roster have been released from the team. One of the five was Darko Milicic, who has withdrawn at the request of the Timberwolves, according to reports.

Rosters are subject to change until the day before the tournament begins (August 28).

[fanboyslim]

Are there other NBA players not playing for their country's team, like Dirk and Kaman for Germany?

What about Manu for Argentina?

Pau's not playing for Spain, and Manu said he wouldn't participate either "for family reasons". In any case, important as all those players are for their countries, their cores remain committed, which is why the almost complete desertion of the 2008 US team is so striking. I can understand the free agent crew not wanting to risk injury while negotiating the deals of their lives, or Kobe getting patched up, but why wouldn't Melo go?

I think Colangelo's line was too strict and probably too high a bar to maintain for most players regardless of their committment to US hoop, but the ultimate goal was to keep a stable core in order to get to the Olympics with a team as opposed to a bunch of players thrown together.

The US team will still be superior on paper to all other teams even if only a few superstars go to the Olympics, but in a tournament when a single bad night means you go home and only a few weeks to prepare the competition, it's a risky departure from a proven strategy.

[lilojmayo]

I said I would get back to my thoughts, and now is as good a time as any.

I have edited the list above to reflect the two changes that were announced. Prior to those changes, my roster was fairly solid, I believed, based upon my knowledge of the players and my knowledge of the coaching philosophy of Mike Krzyzewski. Following the changes, I have a couple of doubts.

I went to Duke in the mid 80's, the heyday of the first big teams there under Coach K. I used to play video games against Tommy Amaker and Mark Alarie (suckers for outside curves in Tekmo Baseball). Krzyzewski's team structure has always been built around defense: hard-nosed, in your face, man-to-man defense. His athletes have always been in good condition, with plenty of stamina, to run that type of defense for forty minutes a game. And the Beijing Olympics team played that style of basketball. Every player on that team committed to playing hard defense. If you doubt me, look at the last two NBA all defensive teams and see how many of those Olympic players are on the lists.

The problem here is that the defensive strength of this secondary roster is not as strong as the Beijing team. Still, some equivalencies could be suggested. The overall defensive strength might be less, but the offensive firepower might be increased.

At Beijing, I pointed out the big rotation was Howard, Bosh & Boozer. With the first list of players, I saw the closest equivalency to that as Brook Lopez, Amare Stoudamire, and Lamar Odom. Lopez is not as good a defender as Dwight Howard, but he was the only true Center there, plus he is a definite offensive upgrade. Odom is the best defender of the three, and Amare is basically offensive firepower personified.

At the wing forward positions, LeBron, Carmelo Anthony & Tayshaun Prince was an interesting combination. 'Melo was the offensive juggernaut, LeBron was the doing everything guy, and Prince was the defensive stopper. I believe a similar triumvirate exists in Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay & Gerald Wallace. Wallace is the strongest defender, while Rudy is offense. Few will deny that Durant is an adequate defender, while being an offensive threat as soon as he steps on the court.

At point, Beijing had Kidd, Paul & Williams. My match for those three for Turkey are Billups, Rondo & Rose (over Westbrook, but it is close). Michael Redd was the designated zone buster, and I doubt anyone would argue that Stephen Curry can handle that assignment. That leaves Kobe and Wade, with the possibilities for the two spots being Tyreke, O. J. and Eric Gordon. All three can fill up the scoreboard, but I shade Evens and Mayo for their defensive abilities over Gordon.

The addition of Robin Lopez is what gives me doubts now. Robin is the better defender of the Lopez twins, plus they showed at Stanford that they can play together on the court. If Robin is added, then the whole balancing act gets shifted. I do not see Amare or Odom being left off, as they provide experience, as does Billups & Wallace. Durant, Rondo, Rose & Gay have all been pretty much givens by most observers, and Tyreke and Curry have both gotten lots of press as being heavy favorites. O. J. is the man on the bubble here. He is going to need an impressive camp in order to make the team.

Great analysis. Probably the best single post I can remember reading on this site.

I actually agree with you, but I honestly think OJ's spot in there too loose which is Kobe Bryant's spot. In an interview last year after the showcase, OJ said he didn't expect the competition to be so fierce. He said he came in with the wrong attitude thinking it was going to be a chilled environment (like All Star Weekend). Knowing OJ he will be ready for the fierce competition He won't make the same mistake twice. At the showcase last year OJ didn't shoot well, but he did at one point hit back-to back-to back 3's all consecutively. We need that type of explosive outside shooting. He needs to play well at the showcase this year and he is in. If I remember clearly OJ was a starter in last year showcase.

[SeaMayo]

but why wouldn't Melo go?

Melo won't be going because he is recently married and wanted to enjoy time with his family.

[Yippee_Ki_ Yay_M...]

Melo won't be going because he is recently married and wanted to enjoy time with his family.

go new zealand!!

[Wells]

go new zealand!!

New Zealand has a tough draw. Spain, France & Lithuania are in the same group, and only two teams advance out of group play.

[Kenrae]

Lithuania play without most of their best players. They're always a tough team, though.

[Yippee_Ki_ Yay_M...]

New Zealand has a tough draw. Spain, France & Lithuania are in the same group, and only two teams advance out of group play.

yeah we have a tough draw, it'll be hard to get through...we're rebuilding with lots of young players now after our former generation have gotten too old, we finished 4th in 2002 in indiana and were SO close to making the finals...we finished higher than the u.s.a that year lol

[fanboyslim]

New Zealand has a tough draw. Spain, France & Lithuania are in the same group, and only two teams advance out of group play.

It's actually four teams out of each group. I don't know how good their team is this year but they have a shot. Of course if they finish 4th they'll most likely play next against the USA...

[ebevan91]

Stoudemire will not be playing in the Worlds because of contract disputes.

Just saw on ESPN.

[Wells]

It's actually four teams out of each group. I don't know how good their team is this year but they have a shot. Of course if they finish 4th they'll most likely play next against the USA...

I apologize, you are correct about the top four teams. But they can't play against the US in the round of 16. None of the Group D teams play against a Group B team in the that round.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...ompetition.html

Group A plays against Group B, and Group C plays against Group D. The earliest they could play would be the quarterfinals.

[Wells]

Stoudemire will not be playing in the Worlds because of contract disputes.

Just saw on ESPN.

Not a contract dispute, but rather an insurance issue. The Knicks can't get insurance on his contract if he gets injured playing in the Worlds.

Yahoo Story: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgcB...s-stoudemireout

[fanboyslim]

I apologize, you are correct about the top four teams. But they can't play against the US in the round of 16. None of the Group D teams play against a Group B team in the that round.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...ompetition.html

Group A plays against Group B, and Group C plays against Group D. The earliest they could play would be the quarterfinals.

You're right, I misread it. Anyway, I hope NZ advances from the group round, I've always had a soft spot for them.

Plus, 6-7ft tall people performing a haka in a basketball court is always a sight to behold. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Ole Dirty Klondi...]

Spears predictions:

Who Will Make The Cut?

LAS VEGAS -- In five weeks, Team USA's roster will be set.

The 22 players who reported for the start of minicamp Tuesday will have been cut down to 12, and the Americans will begin their quest to win the FIBA World Championship for the first time since 1994.

Plenty can happen between now and then, and it's a 99.9 percent certainty that LeBron James or any of his Beijing brethren will not be walking through that door between now and mid-August.

So as we begin what will be a nearly two-month sojourn from Las Vegas to New York to Springfield, Mass., to Madrid to Athens to Istanbul, it is both worthwhile and fun to take an educated guess at who will be on the 12-man roster when Team USA opens pool play against Croatia on Aug. 28.

Here is my best guess at the composition of the squad (and although it is an early guess, it is an educated one based partly on conversations with various NBA and USA Basketball officials, partly on my own experience having covered Team USA at every major international basketball competition since 1996):

GUARDS
Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry.

Cuts: Rajon Rondo (free throw inaccuracy), Eric Gordon (loses designated shooter role to Curry), O.J. Mayo (superfluous).

FORWARDS
Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallace, Lamar Odom, David Lee, Kevin Love.

Cuts: Danny Granger (not as good a defender as Wallace), Jeff Green (out-burlymanned by Lee), Andre Iguodala (superfluous with Wallace), Amare Stoudemire (contract insurance difficulties).

CENTERS
Brook Lopez.

Cuts: Tyson Chandler (conditioning, free throw inaccuracy), JaVale McGee (victim of numbers game, but a sleeper to make final 12), Robin Lopez (a project for 2014 and beyond).

-- Chris Sheridan

[bgassassin]

Looking at the guard situation, the USA team won't be so hot.

[PragmaticIdealis...]

Looking at the guard situation, the USA team won't be so hot.

They didn't have much to start with.

[bgassassin]

I guess my perspective it's a big drop from having guys like Paul, Kobe, and Wade. Especially when he is listing Durant as one of the guards.