Fifteen revealing minutes with USA Basketball

[Kori Ellis]

Fifteen revealing minutes with USA Basketball
July 25, 2006

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=111421

They allow us about 15 minutes. If it were entirely up to Mike Krzyzewski, we might not get to see that much. USA Basketball is at the start of something different here, and there is no particular rush to show it off. Is 15 minutes enough?

Is it worth leaving the summer tournaments and driving over to UNLV's Cox Pavilion for a mere glimpse at what the U.S. men's national team will look like in next month's World Championships? Another reporter who hadn't stopped over to the practices asked me that question. And this is what I told him: It would be worth it if you had to drive 500 miles across the scorching Nevada desert without air conditioning in your car.

What do you see when the doors finally open and you can walk through to the baseline on the near side of the court? LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. On the same team.

Physically, they are ridiculously imposing. How much can you see of that in 15 minutes? NBA strength training has thickened the muscles of Howard and Bosh. I'd not seen James in person since his senior year of high school. It's comical how immense he has become. He was standing next to power forward Elton Brand, one of the best low-post players in the world, and it occurred to me that there was virtually no difference in height and strength between Brand and James.

The collection of talent is staggering. How much can you see of that in 15 minutes? I only needed one play, really. Late in Sunday's session, reigning NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade got past the man defending him and tried to go up for a layup over the right block. But the interior defender -- I believe it was Brand -- did a great job of timing Wade's leap and cut off his vision to the basket. As he reached the apex of his jump, Wade realized he'd probably eat his shot if he let it loose. So as he fell toward the Earth, he pondered the possibilities. The far corner was shielded as well as the basket by the defender's long reach. The near corner was completely blind. Wade was falling rapidly, nearly touching the ground when he found a jolt of inspiration. He reached with the ball in his right arm, wrapped it around the defender's waist and rifled a pass up the lane to a 3-point shooter on the left wing. It almost was beyond human.

The level of intensity in practice was surprising. So many bodies were hitting the ground, you'd think the workout involved the Italian national soccer team. "They've been unbelievably professional," said Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke coach who is in charge of the national team. "It's too bad more people don't see how hard they work and how professional they are. We haven't had one attitude thing." He says nobody even has given him a dirty look.

How much of that can you see in 15 minutes? You can see forward Bruce Bowen calmly but firmly telling center Amare Stoudemire not to gripe about an iffy foul call that went against him. :lol You can see Paul, fresh from his rookie-of-the-year season, gradually growing into a sparkplug-type role. No, 15 minutes is not enough time to accurately judge a basketball team.

But it is vastly better than nothing.

[1Parker1]

:lol @ Bruce telling Amare to calm down.

[boutons_]

LeBron is amazingly explosive and light-footed for 250 lbs.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

CIA coach K?

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Wow sounds like they're really committed to putting a "team" on the court instead of just stacking up the roster with superstars. I feel really good about this team, and confident that that they'll mesh well.

It seems to me that tomorrow's superstars are here today. Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Paul will do a great job of carrying the league for the next couple of years.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

The Dream Team was stacked.

But the players were much more well rounded. *Commen sense comment of the day*

[Please_dont_ban_me]

dream team had jordan and robinson, maybe the two greatest pure athletics in the world on the basketball circuit. the world was miles behind....

We still have the world's greatest athletes.

I don't think that's the problem, I think the problem is they can't pass/pivot/shoot.

[mabber]

Good article, thanks for posting.

[boutons_]

Marion, Morrison, Ridnour Dropped From U.S. Roster

By Greg Beacham
Associated Press
Tuesday, July 25, 2006; 1:59 PM

LAS VEGAS -- Shawn Marion, Adam Morrison and Luke Ridnour were left off the U.S. national team's roster Tuesday before its trip to Asia for the world championships next month.

Amare Stoudemire and Kirk Hinrich were the only moderately surprising inclusions on the 15-man roster, which will play five warmup games in Las Vegas, China and Korea before opening the world championships in Japan on Aug. 19.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff must trim the roster to 12 players before the world championships.

Marion, the Phoenix Suns' three-time NBA All-Star, apparently was left off the roster because of a minor knee injury. He was just one of five candidates remaining from the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, which won disappointing bronze medals.

Hinrich, the Chicago Bulls point guard, beat out Ridnour for the ostensible third-string spot behind Chris Paul and Gilbert Arenas. Hinrich was slowed by a hamstring injury during the team's weeklong training camp in Las Vegas, but apparently did enough to impress Krzyzewski.

Stoudemire earned a spot on the traveling team with a remarkable comeback from surgery on both knees during last season with the Suns, when he played in three NBA games. The 6-foot-10 forward looked strong and mobile during training camp despite struggling during summer-league play a few weeks ago.

The rest of the 15-man roster includes LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Arenas and Paul.

In all, 25 players have committed to be members of the U.S. national team for the next three years, through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

© 2006 The Associated Press

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Amare must be recovering well.

[Kori Ellis]

Reports are that the last 3 cuts will be among Battier, Jamison, Miller, and Amare (if he's not healthy).

[Please_dont_ban_me]

its not the same no more. there isn't much of a different between players like wade and manu. the gap has closed down. With that said, the Euro's match America's athleticism with fundamental skills like passing/pivoting/shooting.

It shouldn't be a contest this year, America should own everyone. I just don't like duncan's name associated with those losing years.

Lebron...DWade...Carmello...Finley...Kobe...

How many players like that are there in the world? The gap is still pretty huge in my opinion. The problem isn't our skills, it's that they are better teams. If you sent a very average NBA team over to Europe (like...the Hornets) they would probably beat up on the Euro's.



We try to just stick 15 players together and hope they become a team and win.

[cheguevara]

Lebron...DWade...Carmello...Finley...Kobe...

How many players like that are there in the world? The gap is still pretty huge in my opinion. The problem isn't our skills, it's that they are better teams. If you sent a very average NBA team over to Europe (like...the Hornets) they would probably beat up on the Euro's.


No fuckin way man. For example Argentina or Lithuania of 2004 would easily advance a few rounds of the playoffs.

[mabber]

No fuckin way man. For example Argentina or Lithuania of 2004 would easily advance a few rounds of the playoffs.

I hope you're joking.

[mabber]

Reports are that the last 3 cuts will be among Battier, Jamison, Miller, and Amare (if he's not healthy).

I would imagine that Battier is gone for sure. They don't need him with Bowen on the team.

[cheguevara]

I hope you're joking.

nope

[ALVAREZ6]

I wonder what the starting lineup will be...

Arenas
LeBron
Carmelo
Brand
Howard


???

[Kori Ellis]

I wonder what the starting lineup will be...

Arenas
LeBron
Carmelo
Brand
Howard


???

Supposedly they are leaning toward Chris Paul starting and Wade will probably start at SG.

[T Park]

Damn thats a sick lineup.....

Paul running with Lebron and Howard?

Good lord.

[mabber]

Damn thats a sick lineup.....

Paul running with Lebron and Howard?

Good lord.

No doubt. I hope they have enough time to develop some chemistry.

[mabber]

No fuckin way man. For example Argentina or Lithuania of 2004 would easily advance a few rounds of the playoffs.

No point in arguing cuz we'll never be able to prove it, but I just don't Argentina or Lithuania being able to win even a 1st round playoff series.

[1Parker1]

I wonder what the starting lineup will be...

Arenas
LeBron
Carmelo
Brand
Howard


???

I'm thinking:

Chris Paul
Lebron
Wade
Brand
Howard

No way are they going to have Wade coming off the bench...

[Kori Ellis]

By everything I'm hearing, they are super impressed with Wade, Melo, and Paul so far.

Who knows what will happen though. The team is stacked; it's hard to pick the starters.

[Beer is Good]

No point in arguing cuz we'll never be able to prove it, but I just don't Argentina or Lithuania being able to win even a 1st round playoff series.
That depends... are they still using NBA refs? IF so, the refs will job the Euros and cost them a chance at winning. C R O O K E D

[furry_spurry]

How much of that can you see in 15 minutes? You can see forward Bruce Bowen calmly but firmly telling center Amare Stoudemire not to gripe about an iffy foul call that went against him.
Now, if only Bruce could teach Tim that.

[Beer is Good]

Now, if only Bruce could teach Tim that.
Says the Toronto Raptors fan :lol

[ALVAREZ6]

I forgot Wade's on the team

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Melo is sure making an impression at the camp :fro:

Can't wait to see him when the NBA season starts :smokin

[Doug Collins]

That depends... are they still using NBA refs? IF so, the refs will job the Euros and cost them a chance at winning. C R O O K E D

Yeah cause FIBA refs are freakin awesome!!!! FIBA refs had a lot to do with us sucking the last olympics, especially when duncan would pick up about 3 fouls in the first 3 minutes of a game and wasnt able to play. Compared to FIBA, NBA refs look like gods.

[T Park]

theres a reason that he is mellooooooooooo

[Doug Collins]

No fuckin way man. For example Argentina or Lithuania of 2004 would easily advance a few rounds of the playoffs.


They might win a couple games (I would say maybe 1 or 2) but they would not win 4 out of 7 against an NBA team let alone "easily advance a few rounds." That's just fuckin stupid.

[tlongII]

I will be shocked if Bowen makes the 12 man roster.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

I will be shocked if Bowen makes the 12 man roster.

You must be joking. I'll be shocked if Bowen doesn't make the 12 man roster.

[ALVAREZ6]

You must be joking. I'll be shocked if Bowen doesn't make the 12 man roster.
He's a Blazer fan...

[kobe_bryant]

theres a reason that he is mellooooooooooo

Melo is a fat boy

[AFE7FATMAN]

kori

Can we get a bookie on who the next 3 cuts are going to be?

[strangeweather]

By everything I'm hearing, they are super impressed with Wade, Melo, and Paul so far.

Who knows what will happen though. The team is stacked; it's hard to pick the starters.
Interesting -- no offense to 'Melo, but I would have thought he would be a horrible fit in FIBA ball.

[strangeweather]

No point in arguing cuz we'll never be able to prove it, but I just don't Argentina or Lithuania being able to win even a 1st round playoff series.
Under NBA rules, I expect you're right. Under FIBA rules, they might be contenders. The game is rather different.

[mabber]

You must be joking. I'll be shocked if Bowen doesn't make the 12 man roster.

I agree, I would be shocked if Bowen doesn't make the team. They need a player like him and seem to have finally realized that this time.

[Sway]

I'm thinking:

Chris Paul
Lebron
Wade
Brand
Howard

No way are they going to have Wade coming off the bench...

I would agree with Lebron over Melo. No way Lebron comes off the bench.

[tlongII]

I don't know what Bowen plays, but it ain't basketball.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Hopefully Melo wins a starting spot and will shut up the haters. :smokin

I know it wont change that much though coz ESPN will always ride Lebron and Wade's jockstraps, its more marketable.

[Kori Ellis]

Hopefully Melo wins a starting spot and will shut up the haters. :smokin

I know it wont change that much though coz ESPN will always ride Lebron and Wade's jockstraps, its more marketable.

I understand Melo has been one of the most impressive players in workouts so far and wouldn't be surprised if he starts. But there's a long way to go before the games begin. A few more of his friends could get caught with weed by then or a multitude of other things could happen :)

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

I understand Melo has been one of the most impressive players in workouts so far and wouldn't be surprised if he starts. But there's a long way to go before the games begin. A few more of his friends could get caught with weed by then or a multitude of other things could happen :)

:lol yeh what is with his friends? I know he wants to still be mates with some old buddies but geez, cant he just tell them to get lost if they keep screwin' up? :lol

[Sway]

Hopefully Melo wins a starting spot and will shut up the haters.

I know it wont change that much though coz ESPN will always ride Lebron and Wade's jockstraps, its more marketable.

Dude that is his own fault. He would probably be just as marketable if he gave up trying to be a pretend gansta.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Dude that is his own fault. He would probably be just as marketable if he gave up trying to be a pretend gansta.

pretend gangsta? :lol Smoking weed makes you a pretend gangsta? :smokin

Half the NBA must be pretending to be gangstas then :fro

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

http://www.nba.com/usabasketball/notes_060725.html



Projected Starters:

Based on our observations, several guys on this squad derserve to start (and we may see multiple lineups over the course of the summer), but there can only be five on the floor to start that first game. Here's who we think that could be:

Point Guard: When you have a group of guys that are not used to playing with each other, you need a true point to run the show and Chris Paul has been the class of the true point guards in camp. Gilbert Arenas is certainly deserving of a starting spot as well.

Shooting Guard: The man who just may be the best player in the world right now: Dwyane Wade.

Small Forward: LeBron James will be a mismatch everytime he steps on the floor during international competition.

Power Forward: In order to get another shooter on the floor, we think Coach K will go with Carmelo Anthony here, but Elton Brand is definitely a possibility.

Center: Dwight Howard is a beast. He even looks huge standing next to Amare Stoudemire. He threw down two vicious dunks in the span of a minute during Monday's controlled scrimmage and every player we spoke to thought that he's in store for a coming out party very soon. Brand could get the start here as well if Coach K wants to go with a little more experience.

[Mavs<Spurs]

When do the beatings, the uh games, I mean, begin?

:elephant :elephant :elephant


We're gonna stomp them!!!


But when?

[Cant_Be_Faded]

shows you how special lebron is with that size and mass.


Too bad the hack can't dribble in a non NBA officiated game.

[CharlieMac]

I hope Amare is done with the push-ups.

[Rick Von Braun]

My choice:

Paul/Hinrich
Wade/Arenas
James/Anthony/Bowen
Brand/Stoudemire*
Howard/Bosh/Miller

* if healthy. If not, the slot is for Battier.

Out: Johnson and Jaminson

Two PG, 5 wing players, 5 frontcourt players. Let's see how the coaching staff assemble this team. I am still waiting for them to play together as a team, in particular defend together as a team.

I can see potential team/locker-room disruptions from Carmelo, Lebron, Amare, Arenas and Wade in that order. Brand, Bowen and Miller should be the emotional glue for this team in order to succeed.

[mabber]

My choice:

Paul/Hinrich
Wade/Arenas
James/Anthony/Bowen
Brand/Stoudemire*
Howard/Bosh/Miller

* if healthy. If not, the slot is for Battier.

Out: Johnson and Jaminson

Two PG, 5 wing players, 5 frontcourt players. Let's see how the coaching staff assemble this team. I am still waiting for them to play together as a team, in particular defend together as a team.

I can see potential team/locker-room disruptions from Carmelo, Lebron, Amare, Arenas and Wade in that order. Brand, Bowen and Miller should be the emotional glue for this team in order to succeed.

Who's going to play defense (other than Bowen and maybe Brand)? A few guys are going to have to sacrifice a little offense and expend more energy on the defensive end and I'm not sure who's going to be willing to do that. And even if they do expend the energy, most of these guys just aren't very good at playing defense.

[Rick Von Braun]

Who's going to play defense (other than Bowen and maybe Brand)? A few guys are going to have to sacrifice a little offense and expend more energy on the defensive end and I'm not sure who's going to be willing to do that. And even if they do expend the energy, most of these guys just aren't very good at playing defense.

I don't know, because I am not in the training camp with them.

On paper, a lineup of:

Paul
Wade
Bowen
Brand
Bosh

... could be a very good defensive team.

Anthony and Arenas are the worst defenders on this team. Neither Paul nor Hinrich are huge defensive specialists, but they are good enough to stay in front of people in most cases.

Stoudemire and Howard are not bad, and Miller could be a better defender with internaltional rules than he is in the NBA. Defensively Lebron James in an unknown quantity... he could potentially be a GREAT defender, but he has to put his mind into it... he very often has lapses, cheating off his man, not runninng, etc. If he starts missing defensive assignments, I would bench his ass and put Bowen instead.

In any case, defense is more effort than X's and O's. Rotate, help, communicate, cover. The coach has to find the right group of guys that communicate and help each other. He has 25 more days to find out.

[Pero]

No fuckin way man. For example Argentina or Lithuania of 2004 would easily advance a few rounds of the playoffs.

I doubt it. You can`t compare professional teams with national. Players in professional teams play together for the large part of the year. Players in national teams usually play together for a few months.



How many players like that are there in the world? The gap is still pretty huge in my opinion. The problem isn't our skills, it's that they are better teams. If you sent a very average NBA team over to Europe (like...the Hornets) they would probably beat up on the Euro's.

Again, national teams can`t compare with professional ones. If you`d send a good Euroleague club to a world championship or something, they`d probably beat up on everyone too.
The difference between U.S. players and the rest is their speed and strength, athleticism. In everything else they are either pretty equal or the rest are somewhat better.
So, IMO if the U.S. made a team, a real team, they`d still be the best, mostly because of their physical superiority. But the rest of the world is gaining them on that as well.

[strangeweather]

I don't know, because I am not in the training camp with them.

On paper, a lineup of:

Paul
Wade
Bowen
Brand
Bosh

... could be a very good defensive team.

Anthony and Arenas are the worst defenders on this team. Neither Paul nor Hinrich are huge defensive specialists, but they are good enough to stay in front of people in most cases.

Stoudemire and Howard are not bad, and Miller could be a better defender with internaltional rules than he is in the NBA. Defensively Lebron James in an unknown quantity... he could potentially be a GREAT defender, but he has to put his mind into it... he very often has lapses, cheating off his man, not runninng, etc. If he starts missing defensive assignments, I would bench his ass and put Bowen instead.

In any case, defense is more effort than X's and O's. Rotate, help, communicate, cover. The coach has to find the right group of guys that communicate and help each other. He has 25 more days to find out.
I agree with what you said about defense, and I like your starting lineup.

The key is finding the right balance of offense and defense, and having some different lineups to be able to adapt to different situations. For example, Jamison may not be the most effective defender, but he could be a gifted offensive player off the bench in international ball. Paul isn't a great defender, but makes up for it with floor leadership. Heinrich is a better defender, and a nice guy to be able to bring in off the bench.

I like the idea of rotating Wade and LeBron in a pure scoring slot at SG and rotating Bowen and Battier as designated defender at SF -- that gives them plenty of pop out there on the floor, but still gives them the ability to shut guys down. If you need extra offense to break down the other team, you can always sit both Bowen and Battier and play some combination of Wade, LeBron, and Melo.

Edit: oops, that's not your starting lineup. But I like the idea of using that as one.