And Then There Were 12: USA Basketball Names its Final Squad
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by user BigPPup
The World Basketball Championships are slated to begin on Saturday in Japan. With that date right around the corner, Coach K, and managing director Jerry Colangelo made the final cuts to the USA Basketball team. Sadly it was the San Antonio Spurs' Bruce Bowen who failed to make the final cut and will be sent home while the rest of the 12-man roster advances to the tournament.
Even without Bowen’s presence on the court, the USA is taking a star studded squad to Japan.
The final roster:
- Kirk Hinrich
- Chris Paul
- Dwayne Wade
- LeBron James
- Carmelo Anthony
- Joe Johnson
- Antawn Jamison
- Shane Battier
- Chris Bosh
- Dwight Howard
- Elton Brand
- Brad Miller
Many thought Bowen was a lock to make the national team because of his defensive prowess that made him famous during the Spurs Championship run a few seasons ago however his lack of offensive firepower was his downfall with the selection committee. Bowen only scored four points during the USA’s exhibition season. Meanwhile fellow role player and defensive specialist Shane Battier was able to out shine the older Bruce Bowen.
Battier’s play coupled with the injury to Gilbert Arenas and the adding of Kirk Hinrich to the squad spelled the end of the line for the “Kobe Stopper.”
Bruce Bowen along with the other the other players who failed to make the cut for the USA basketball team are still in the pool and eligible for international play next year, and for the 2008 Olympics.
The squad the USA is taking to Japan is the best looking international team the USA has had since 1996. The team is young averaging 24 years of age across the board. The oldest player is Brad Miller at 30. The youth and fresh legs are key for this team’s success. The USA team is limited in size, with Miller, Brand and Howard the only big men on the team and Miller being the only true center. Admittedly the biggest problem the national team has faced is the more physical nature of international basketball.
Where the USA is able to make up for this is through their youth and athleticism. Coach K and staff have the USA playing a frenetic colligate style of play putting full court pressure on the ball. Most international teams fail to have enough talent in the backcourt to keep up with the likes of Wade, James and Anthony pressing the full 94 feet. The added pressure has allowed the US team to average 30 plus turnovers a game, and a highlight reel the world has not seen since the real Dream Team was on the court.
If the USA can maintain their fresh legs and continue to put pressure on the ball, they should walk through the early rounds of the World Basketball Championship. The true test will come when team USA faces defending Olympic Champion Argentina which hosts its own NBA roster led by Emmanuel Ginobli. Another difficult test will be France, who showcases Tony Parker and Borris Diaw in the backcourt (that’s right he plays point guard overseas not the 5 spot.)
Date
Thu 08/17/06, 5:53 am EST
