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Sidenote: CONGRATS BRUCE!
AI should have been a no-brainer. Last time, he seemed like the only American who cared to be there. I guess Colangelo didn't like his image or something ....
Ridnour sucks. How the heck did he get nominated. AD was better than him last year and the Sonics had to go out and get Watson this year because Ridnour couldn't cut it on his own. Hinrich is ten times the player Ridnour is.
By 2008, the go-to player on the team might actually be Greg Oden.
Antawn Jamison was a bad choice. So was Rashard Lewis. Those two don't do anything but score.
And ShoogarBear is right. If Arenas is on that team, the US is doomed. The reason the US lost in the Worlds and at the Olympics was because of poor point guard play. Baron Davis and Andre Miller were horrible in the Worlds and Stephon Marbury sucked in the Olympics. The US needs to make sure Chris Paul is on that team and get Hinrich there ASAP.
On talent and heart, AI should go over Chris Paul, who will have other opportunities ahead of him and is too green for the Olympics. AI is so valuable because he's proved he can be PG or a SG and he plays hard, lives for this stuff.
BUT - I wonder if he didn't get overlooked because he's so banged up all the time. I mean, he'll play even if his legs are falling off (he's like that knight in the Monty Python sketch) but they may have wanted someone less banged up, given the commitment he's asking.
Arenas is overrated. Pierce was a good selection, IMO. Billups, Kobe, Lebron, Miller (or Bosh) and Marion is a of a starting lineup, and they should be able to win with that.
I hope Bowen gets picked. Against Battier and Howard for that "defensive minded role player" he should be a no brainer.
Props to Bowen. i really hope he gets to play because he'll really give it all when the time comes.
sucks for AI, tho. to really express commitment for Team USA even after a disappointing in the Olympics and then to get snubbed in the selection process...
maybe they are hoping Bruce will change Duncan's mind...
Spurs "WC team": Manu, Oberto, Parker, Rasho, Beno, Bruce
The Bruce Bowen pick is the biggest headscratcher for me... okay, maybe not as big as the Arenas/AI issue but a headscratcher nonetheless. He's good at spotting up for corner pocket threes, but I don't think he could get away with his "defensive tactics" in FIBA. I'd probably go with Battier, if not him, then Howard.
Howard>Bowen any day. Howard definitely should be the starting SF at the Olympics. He is just the perfect role player to compliment a star like Dirk. My lineup would be
PG Billups/Wade
SG Kobe/Wade
SF J. Howard/Battier
PF Marion/Battier
C Amare/Chandler
A 8 man rotation with some superstars and a few role players.
Ever heard of a guy named LeBron James?
Billups > Chris Paul
Kobe > Wade > Joe Johnson
LeBron > Marion
Amare > Brand > Bosh
Brad Miller > Dwight Howard
Perfect description of Kobe Bryant, too, IMO.
Me, neither. But I love a good protest in favor of an underdog. I'm in.
Wouldn't surprise me if Shaq turned it down partly in protest of AI's snub.
How many rings do you have??
Bruce>You
I disagree with characterizing Bowen's selection as a "headscratcher," given that he's probably the best perimeter defender in the NBA at the moment.
That said, I do think that USA Basketball would be better served by selecting Battier or Howard as that sort of guy for this team. Were it up to me, I'd take Battier, mostly because he's got both youth and experience on his side, plus he's played for Coach K (which may explain his inclusion) and played well for Coach K. Battier could be the 2006-08 version of Steve Alford on Bob Knight's 1984 Olympic team.
As a side note, Brand may be a virtual lock for the World Championship team in any cir stance, but it certainly helps his chances that Coach K has the team -- same with Re .
FWD brings up a good point.
I think Krzyzewski/Colangelo have to be careful about having too many Dookies when there are other just-as-qualifed players.
Brand is a no-brainer. But having Brand, Battier, and Re all on the team is indefensible, I think.
I'd take Battier over Howard as well if you're looking for pure defense... Howard is certainly a better rounded player, but this team won't really need his scoring abilities. I'd go with the better defender, Battier.
I think Battier shoots the ball better from the floor as well. Howard shoots a high percentage because he gets to the rim a lot. In international play, though, there seems to be a premium on perimeter shooting. In terms of effective field goal percentages from "the outside," 82games.com says that Battier shoots almost .060 better than Howard (.502 to .443).
I like Battier, too, because he's longer than either Howard or Bowen.
But mostly, Battier was always one of Coach K's favorites. I suspect that if another guy was coaching the squad, Battier might not have gotten the chance to make the team.
AI and Hinrich not on the list is just more proof positive Colangelo is a up.
anyone who thinks Brad Miller is better than Dwight Howard needs his head examined.
Michael Redd and Rashard Lewis have decided not to participate.
http://www.journaltimes.com/nucleus/...hp?itemid=4372
I disagree...his style is perfect.He's good at spotting up for corner pocket threes, but I don't think he could get away with his "defensive tactics" in FIBA
Less compe ion on the wing for Bowen.
I assume and hope Colangelo is looking at the coimpe ion and selecting players that match up well with the oppositions best players. Who is the US compe ion? Argentina and I think Bowen knows Manu's game. Probably not Germany but Bowen sure owns Dirk's ass. Spain has Gasol that Bowen won't stop but they'll also count alot on Navarro who would have a prayer against. Saunas can't buy a breath against Bruce and If Peja is there forget it.
Bowen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Howard.
In FIBA tourneys anything can happen right now. I'm not sure Argentina can keep up the level of play of past years, and there surely will be some teams working real hard to reach that level. USA is strong as usual, but Lithuania, Slovenia, Spain, etc can make an impact like the one Argentina did in 2002.
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