USA Basketball: A Look Ahead To London
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I've been thoroughly enjoying the past two weeks, with USA basketball on TV nightly competing in the Tournament of Americas. This team, led by Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Carmelo Anthony seems to have a sense of team chemistry that USA Basketball lacked in the 2002 FIBA Championships and Athens Olympics disasters.
It's apparent that a lack of FIBA experience was also a big downfall of these previous teams, as Lebron, Melo, and Dwight Howard look far more comfortable with this style of basketball than they did in Athens. They are now attacking zone defenses and making correct rotations on high pick-and-rolls that killed them in 2004 and 2006. Adding shooters like Michael Redd and Mike Miller makes life a lot easier for Coach K and Jason Kidd's experience and style of play is paying dividends. I'm definitely excited to watch the U.S. vs. Argentina game tonight, even if that means that I'll be staying up until 1 a.m.
Watching these five games in six nights probably has me thinking about USA Basketball a little too much, but I couldn't help but wonder what kind of squad we will put together in a few years. I'm not just talking about the 2008 Olympics, but what will Team USA look like when we head to London in 2012? Well look no further, here is a first look at our 2012 USA Basketball team:
Point Guards
Deron Williams
"The Kingpin" is already getting minutes for Team USA and sorry Pistons fans, but he already looks better than Chauncey Billups. Williams ability to drive and kick, hit the open shot, and push the rock on the fast break is making him look like Jason Kidd-lite. By 2012, Utah Jazz fans will be comparing him to John Stockton and USA Basketball will have a confident and very skilled point guard running their show. But then again...
Chris Paul
It may be hard to decide who to start at the point between Deron Williams and Chris Paul, but I think that's a pretty nice problem to have. Paul has experience as USA's starting point guard, and hopefully his outside jumper will be more consistent in five years than it was in Athens. Either way, Chris Paul is the future of NBA point guards and should be a lock for this team in London.
Shooting Guards
Kobe Bryant
Much like Jason Kidd is this year, Kobe will be the veteran leader of Team USA if he decides to continue his presence five years from now. He will really only be 34, so it's not like he'll have grandkids. By then, Mamba should be dominating with an array of jump shot and fadeaway moves a la MJ is his second three-peat run. When it comes down to it, Bryant is the best all-around basketball player in the world, and barring injury he will still be five years from now.
Dwyane Wade
Wade will be in the prime of his career at this point, as long as he can keep the injury bug away. Just another explosive option who can create his own offense and still be a zone buster. Wade can also work as a third point guard option to rest Williams and Paul. I see DWade coming off the bench and being a spark plug that no team will be able to guard. So tough.
JJ Redick
Maybe I'm crazy, but I have a feeling that Redick is going to get healthy this year and start a very productive NBA career. No one has a more pure jump shot, making him the ideal zone buster and we know he has the confidence to hit big shots in tight spots. Maybe he'll just be the token 12th man on this roster, but I wouldn't mind having him as the ace up our sleeve.
Small Forwards
Lebron James
Is anyone as impressed as I am about his jump shot lately? Perfect form, smooth, and consistent as his 11-for-11 first half performance showed last night. Not to mention that he is the nastiest finisher since Dominique, the NBA is in for a world of hurt if Lebron has really figured out his shot. Anyway, Lebron really looks focused in this tournament and may be the star of stars on this team. The Global Icon is a lock for London.
Kevin Durant
Durant was so impressive in Team USA training camp this year, that he almost played his way onto the actual roster. KD was was in camp for a reason, and the experience he is gaining now will be instrumental in his success in future FIBA competition. His silky smooth game is a perfect fit FIBA rules, much like Carmelo. I predict that Durant will be an NBA scoring champion by 2012, and will be playing big minutes in this Olympic run.
Power Forwards
Carmelo Anthony
Speaking of 'Melo, USA's Male Athlete of the Year will be a seasoned FIBA veteran by 2012. He looks so comfortable with the ball right now, defenders must feel completely helpless against him. Drop down off him and he hits the J, guard him close and he goes right by you for the dunk. 'Melo is as obvious a choice for this team as Lebron is.
Chris Bosh
Bosh probably would be playing right now if not for a foot injury that slowed him towards the end of last season. He already has some FIBA experience, playing in Athens, and his game has improved greatly since then. A big man that can step out and shoot as well as block shots around the basket, Bosh is the prototypical power forward for the trapezoid lane.
Centers
Dwight Howard
Dwight has played pretty well these past few weeks, shooting a very high percentage and blocking a lot of shots. He may get lackadaisical on defense at times and his hands are somewhat brick-like, but he has no ceiling for how good he can be in five years. He seems to have a much better understanding of the zone offense this year, and should be Team USA's starting center for as long as he wants to participate.
Amare Stoudemire
His defense might be rotten, but you can't argue the fact that his offensive attack is too good to be left off this team. His outside shot continues to improve, and he's starting to attack zones with the thunder that only Lebron can match. He's a pretty nice weapon to use for 15-20 minutes a game.
Greg Oden
If you don't like how Dwight or Amare are defending the post, go ahead and bring Big Greg off the bench to shut them down. Oden's shot-blocking ability may eventually be in the same category as Russell and Mutombo, and in five years I'm guessing his offensive game won't be too bad either. Like Durant, Jerry Colangelo had Oden in camp for a reason. He's the future of USA centers.
So there you have it, my Dream Team for the 2012 London Olympics. I realize that it's very unlikely that all of these guys will be injury-free and/or will accept the invitation. There's also a good chance that there will be a superstar that comes out of nowhere by then. But as of August 2007, this would be the best-case scenario for Team USA. This team has quickness, athleticism, size, shooters, and most-importantly winners. Let's hope the London run will be for back-to-back Gold Medals. We'll see tonight if the U.S. of A is on pace for that first one.
