Another old post; USA Basketball

by Audino237

Ok, everyone. My favorite subject is professional basketball, and here is a post I made on June 11th about who I think would be the most successful team to represent the United States in basketball in Beijing and the next 10-12 years.

In light of seeing how much San Antonio can dominate the NBA, I think that is time for a change in the USA Basketball system. Jerry Colangelo, President of USA Basketball has already caught on. Back when other countries weren't producing great players, we could "Shock n Awe" then with our Dream Teams. However, those countries have matured into basketball powerhouses who work together all year round, thus having an advantage. Those teams can beat the powerful American teams of superstars because they all like to shoot and collect their own stats, and the European teams have 1 or 2 stars and good role players. Since we can't just have the Spurs play for us in Beijing or the World Championships because they are made up of almost all foreigners, I will give you my ideas for an Olympic squad to be proud of. Just for kicks, lets say Tim Duncan decides he wants to play for the U.S. Virgin Islands, and not the actual States (however, he always plays for the U.S., but that's not fun). The team should be built to compete this year and set a precedent for years to come with a young, exciting, and fiery nucleus.

Coach: Mike D'Antoni D'Antoni brings a hectic style to the Phoenix Suns. He was the handpicked coach of the Suns for Colangelo and his son, Bryan (now the Raptors GM). He teaches more of a team-oriented game then most NBA coaches. However, he doesn't coach in a "Euro" style. We should resign ourselves to the fact that we will not beat the European teams at their own game, simply because we have our own major professional league where the players are always separate. Playing D'Antoni's style, which promotes passing, penetration, fast breaking and utilizing athleticism would exploit the slower European's weaknesses and play to America's lone strengths, running and jumping.

Starters: Center- Dwight Howard: He might be the most athletic big man in the world. No other country has anyone this big, this strong, or this energetic. Only 21 years old, he is already a man. He doesn't look for his own shot, but always is running and trying to get oppurtunities. On a team where one person does not hog the ball and is filled with young guys not afraid to make mistakes running the break, Howard would prosper. He is just the type of big man you want in the Olympics. The old days of dumping it down low to Shaq are over.

Power Forward-Amare Stoudemire: If Howard isn't enough toughness to match up with, add Stoudemire to the mix. He is a fierce competitor, who, like Howard, WANTS to dunk on you. He'll look for his own shot more, but he will offer maximum effort. There is not a country in the world that could deal with Howard and Stoudemire on the glass or in the open floor, filling the lanes for powerful dunks. Like I said in the Howard statement, it is a different game then it was 10 years ago. Our big guys need to do what they do best, overpower and run. There is no need for an aircraft carrier down low to post up and demand the ball.

Small Forward- LeBron James: At the end of the game when the Stars and Stripes need a clutch basket, The King has to be the man. His athleticism and creativity is unmatched. He gives them essentially a 3rd point guard in the starting lineup. He has no problem dishing as opposed to looking for his own shot, which is key in the offense. He is our answer to Dirk, Manu, Bargnani, Parker, and Peja. In the few times in the game where an iso call is made, James will handle the rock and wow the fans. Plus, I hear that he's pretty good in the open floor on dunks.

Shooting guard- Dwayne Wade: He's not someone who will shoot the lights out, but he will hit clutch shots and always provide tons of energy. He best fits in a secondary role, on this team he'd succumb to James. He could pick up the slack with ease, however, and make this team prove to be a match up nightmare. If LeBron's having an off night, I think we are all confident Flash could go for 30 and take the more slow-legged foreigners off the dribble. He is also the only threat from outside the arc in this starting lineup, so his presence is a large one.

Point Guard- It is too bad that Steve Nash is Canadian, because it's pretty safe to say that Nash fits in the Suns offense. However, us Americans have some pretty good point guards. CP3, the former rookie of the year, is a young talent running the show for the up-and-coming Hornets. He is one of the quickest guards in the league, and also one of the smartest. He does not look for his own shot, but can be Tony Parker-esque when he does. With a team full of active big men, the lane will be open for penetration. He could throw 10 alley oops a game. If teams somehow find a way to stop the hand offs in the lane, then I say LeBron and D-Wade make for some pretty good offensive weapons to kick out to.

Bench: The bench will be a vital aspect of the team. In the past, fresh superstars would come off the bench to replace tired superstars. They came in chucking up shots, because that's what they're paid to do on their NBA teams. What the team really needs to do is get guys with little ego who can play multiple positions. They should each fill their own little niche and fit in well with the style that D'Antoni would employ.

6th man: Deron Williams (PG-SG)- Williams, the 2nd year point man for the Utah Jazz, brings athleticism and a cerebral approach to the game. He is big and fast, and a very good shooter. He plays wise beyond his years, and is always looking for the open man. Did I mention that teamwork should take precedent over talent? D-Will has plenty of both to spare.

7: Chris Bosh (PF-C)- Bosh isn't a banger like Stoudemire or Howard, in fact, he's not at all. He is aggressive and a very good athlete. He is the only guy on the squad that the guards could look to feed in the post for a basket. He has a great jumper out to 18 feet, and is always moving. The Raptors run the break alot, so he has experience filling the lanes. Also a good rebounder despite his weight (or lack of).

8: Gerald Green (SG-SF)- Aside from King James and Wade, Green is the best athlete on the team. He is the defending slam dunk champion. He plays outstanding defense, and is a very good shooter, despite missing half of his right index finger. He plays hard despite being on a terrible team, and that shows what kind of character her has. The first 4 guards mentioned are all most comfortable at the point, so the team needs a natural wing with outstanding athleticism, if for nothing else to boast to the world "look what we have that you don't".

9: Emeka Okafor (C-PF)- Even more beef up front. They might not need him in games, but he is an excellent backup. He won't score, but will play very sound defense. Okafor is extremely raw offensively, and it would be good for him to develop in practice every summer against the likes of Stoudemire, Howard, Bosh and....

10: Greg Oden (C)- It may seem as if there are too many big men on the team, but all are more then worthy of spots. This whole team symbolizes the next generation of basketball, and hopefully global dominance. Oden might be the best help defender in the world, even before he is drafted. Oden may look 45 years old, but he is young. Young big men generally take more time to develop offensively then guards, and the extra work good do him good. He will be a fixture in the starting lineup for years, as he is big, unselfish, and runs like a gazelle.

11: Kevin Durant (SG-SF)- It seems as if everyone plays multiple positions, so Durant will be able to ease himself into the USA Basketball program. Just like Carmelo Anthony and James will always be linked, as will Durant and Oden. With the glut of talent on the wing, Durant may never be a go-to guy on the Olympic team, but he is certainly nice to have. If he decides its not for him, no huge loss. But if he decides to play and continue to develop, whoa nelly! Durant running the break could mean trouble for everyone else, and posters for all the American children.

12: Andre Iguodala (SG-SF)- Iguodala is the definition of a jumpin' jack. He has quietly developed into a leader of the 76ers and the community of Philadelphia. The new AI is a tireless worker who has turned his jumper, once a glaring weakness, into a tool he uses. He has the highest vertical of anyone on the squad (and likely the tournament). He is one of the oldest members of the team at 23. He also is exactly the kind of player that can contribute over the course of a game and play many styles.

13: JJ Reddick (SG)- And by shooting guard, I mean shooting guard. Not athletic guard. Not dribbling guard. Not lock-down defensive guard. But this Dukie can shoot. Though many people may hate him, he has tremendous grit and is underrated defensively. In a game where foul shots or clutch 3s are needed, there is no one better that D'Antoni could call off the bench. Maybe getting his shots off in practice for 2 months against James, Wade, and Deron Williams could get Redick to expand his offensive game.

14: Brandon Roy (SG-SF)- 14 people does seem a little excessive, but if the FIBA committee let the teams bring 14, then what the heck. Roy is as polished a young player that there is. He is a solid teammate and person, and just the guy that will spark his teammates in practice or in games when they are doggin' it. Roy, the defending Rookie of the Year, was the leader of Portland this year and will lead them to a championship in the next few years along with LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. If he doesn't emerge as team spokesmen this year, then it will show in the next few years. It's hard to put a talent like him this far down the list, as he is capable of starter's minutes.

Say goodbye to: Kobe, Shaq, Vince Carter, T-Mac, Big Ben, KG, The Big Fundamental, J-Kidd, Iverson, Melo

My apologies to: Ben Gordon and Luol Deng (likely would've been on the list, but they were both born in Britain. Sorry chaps.) TJ Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge, Carlos Boozer, Adam Morrison, Tyrus Thomas, Josh Smith, Jarrett Jack, Kevin Martin, Tyson Chandler, Joe Johnson