Bowen officially doesn't make it

[stretch]

How about 'short-sighted' then? What you call the 'weakest player' I call the 'best defender' on Team USA. We'll see how it plays out when we play teams with alot of offensive firepower. You'll be singing a different and more enlightened tune.

im sure that this team has more than enough defensive power. and i dont think any team in the world has the defensive abilities to even have a shot and shutting down guys like Lebron and Wade. ill agree, Bowen was the best defender, but his style of play fits the NBA more than it does International Basketball. i dont think losing him will hurt the team one bit.

[stretch]

I am embarrassed that people actually root against the US because no Bruce...and on top of that, think that because Bruce is that much of an impact player that we could actually lose because of him not being on the team. Seriously people, as I said in the other thread, his defense, is not so much better that it out weighs a more balanced attack from other people on the squad.

agreed. glad to see someone knows what the he is talking about. to not root for the US just because they dont have a player from your home team is the stupidest ive ever heard.

[stretch]

Do I think they've set themselves up to do so? Obviously not.

so just because they cut bruce bowen, they are not longer the favorites? are you ing kidding me? im sure that Lebron and Wade, who are widely considered the two best basketball players in the world, and are both completely unselfish, along with the rest of the players on this team, will be just fine. who on this team is selfish? the only person that could be considered selfish was Gilbert Arenas, and hes gone now. EVERY single player on this team, can be effective and produce without shots or the ball. every single player can play very solid defense, has good passing skills, can hit long jumpers and threes (especially since the 3pt line is fairly shorter in international play). use your brain dude. quit being such a ing homer.

[1Parker1]

I don't dispute any of that, but I also thought the idea of building international teams after 2004 was to avoid the Dream Team mentality and to find guys who can fill roles to play alongside a handful of superstars. I guess they've done that to some extent, but this team looks su iously like a slightly deeper version of the 2004 USA Olympic Team.

Agreed...I love how when they were forming the teams, Team USA preached about how "role players" will make a difference...and now it looks like the team is a bunch of All-Stars and youngsters. I'm sure the age thing also had a lot to do with Bruce being cut, which I can understand.

Nonetheless, I sincerely hope that guys like Manu, Parker, etc. and every other great shooter on the international teams light up USA.

[stretch]

when Manu, Tony and the rest of the slashing driving guards match up against team USA get ready for some spectacular baskets and early foul trouble for our team. GO USA!!!

yea, but without Tim Duncan helping open stuff up for them, i dont see them getting quite as many easy looks, especially with so many good interior defenders on this team.

[stretch]

Agreed...I love how when they were forming the teams, Team USA preached about how "role players" will make a difference...and now it looks like the team is a bunch of All-Stars and youngsters. I'm sure the age thing also had a lot to do with Bruce being cut, which I can understand.

Nonetheless, I sincerely hope that guys like Manu, Parker, etc. and every other great shooter on the international teams light up USA.

you can have a bunch of all-stars. look at the Dream Team. basically nothing but all-stars. but the difference between these all-stars, and the past all-stars that didnt do well, is that these guys are not one bit selfish. they can all produce without shots or the ball. they all play hard every minute they are in the game. thats why the Dream Team was so successful, and thats why this team will be successful too.

[monosylab1k]

I think I honestly hope the US loses the World Championships now. And I hope they do it by getting burned on the perimeter. Maybe then they will get the lesson. USA Basketball apparently didn't learn from Athens. It's cool though. We can watch the national team alley-"oops" its way back to a 3rd place finish.

If the US loses in this tournament, it won't be because they don't have ing Bruce Bowen. It will be because they don't have guys that can knock down jump shots. Zone defenses will clog up the driving lanes for guys like Wade and Lebron, and somebody's going to have to make jumpers. That's why Carmelo has been so important, cuz he's the best jump shooter they've got. Last I checked, Bowen wasn't anything special, with the exception of the occasional wide open three.

Personally, I would have liked to see Bowen on the team, for team chemistry purposes more than anything. He could play the "crafty veteran" role to perfection and he's by far the most intelligent guy on the team. Jamison should have been cut instead. But Bowen's defense doesn't mean in the international game. And if the US loses, it's only because they're alot farther behind internationally than originally feared. Not because they don't have LOL bruce bowen.

I still it's ridiculously short-sighted to have 12 offensive players and be kicking off the one credited defender you have on your team.

dwyane wade's made it on the all-defensive team, and battier is known for his defense as well. bruce bowen's not the only solid defender alive on earth today.

[1Parker1]

you can have a bunch of all-stars. look at the Dream Team. basically nothing but all-stars. but the difference between these all-stars, and the past all-stars that didnt do well, is that these guys are not one bit selfish. they can all produce without shots or the ball. they all play hard every minute they are in the game. thats why the Dream Team was so successful, and thats why this team will be successful too.

It's not about unselfishness. How many of those players on that team have experience playing in big games...on championship level? Aside from DWade...half those guys are first/second round exits in the NBA playoffs. What about 3 point shooting? Wade, Lebron, etc. are not exactly known for their 3 point shooting or even their jumpshots. Veteran leadership? Who will provide that...Brad Miller?

Now, I'm not saying that Team USA would have won everything if Bruce was on it or anything like that. I'm just saying that if Team USA was preaching about adding Role Players to this new team that is expected to win it all...I just don't see that many role players on there.

[TheSanityAnnex]

For those saying Miller should have been cut...


you obviously do not understand the international game and what is required of bigs when playing it. amare does not have the court vision miller does so i'm not so sure he would have beat miller out anyways.

[monosylab1k]

It's not about unselfishness. How many of those players on that team have experience playing in big games...on championship level? Aside from DWade...half those guys are first/second round exits in the NBA playoffs. What about 3 point shooting? Wade, Lebron, etc. are not exactly known for their 3 point shooting or even their jumpshots. Veteran leadership? Who will provide that...Brad Miller?

Now, I'm not saying that Team USA would have won everything if Bruce was on it or anything like that. I'm just saying that if Team USA was preaching about adding Role Players to this new team that is expected to win it all...I just don't see that many role players on there.

experience in the NBA playoffs and experience in Olympic basketball are damn near apples and oranges.

as far as operating well in high pressure situations, I think just about everyone on the team have proven that they can perform in the clutch at a level equal to or greater than the great bruce bowen.

question: since when has bruce bowen become this incredible jump shooter?

answer: since it became convenient to find the one weakness on the team and find a way to wedge that weakness into an excuse to about a Spur getting cut from that team.

[stretch]

It's not about unselfishness. How many of those players on that team have experience playing in big games...on championship level? Aside from DWade...half those guys are first/second round exits in the NBA playoffs. What about 3 point shooting? Wade, Lebron, etc. are not exactly known for their 3 point shooting or even their jumpshots. Veteran leadership? Who will provide that...Brad Miller?

Now, I'm not saying that Team USA would have won everything if Bruce was on it or anything like that. I'm just saying that if Team USA was preaching about adding Role Players to this new team that is expected to win it all...I just don't see that many role players on there.

well, you need to remember that the 3pt line is considerably shorter. the other game, Brad Miller hit like 4 or 5 threes in a row. everyone on this team is capable of hitting that shot, except for Dwight Howard and Elton Brand (although ive seen Brand make some pretty long shots before with consistency, but i doubt he will be shooting any threes). the compe ion in the world is nothing compared to the NBA. i think that just because the US lost the past couple years, everyone thinks that international play has improved so much. and it has improved, but not as much as some people give them credit for. we have to recall that we had teams that had NO chemistry, defense, balance, or shooting. they fixed that tremendously this year. and its not like we have chokers on this team either. most all of these players have been knows to be very good clutch players. just because they had a first or second round exit doesnt mean they arent clutch players. it simply means their team wasnt as good.

[stretch]

For those saying Miller should have been cut...


you obviously do not understand the international game and what is required of bigs when playing it. amare does not have the court vision miller does so i'm not so sure he would have beat miller out anyways.

i agree. i think Miller is going to be a nice fit on this team. did you see that game against China, where he hit like 4 or 5 threes in a row? and he has been making some very nice passes and plays in the open court.

[monosylab1k]

For those saying Miller should have been cut...


you obviously do not understand the international game and what is required of bigs when playing it. amare does not have the court vision miller does so i'm not so sure he would have beat miller out anyways.

amen

[Solid D]

I'll net it out for ya'll. Battier flops better than Bowen does and flopping is what FIBA is all about. Flopping International Basketball Association.

[wolf754life]

He didn't belong on that court!

Hurry home brucie, get rested for your 4th seeded team and early playoff loss!

[GrandeDavid]

No. The final 12 for the Olympics will come out of the original 25 invitees (which includes Kobe, Marion, Billups, etc.)

In which a 37 year old Bruce will have a snowball's chance in of making it, especially assuming that those players show up.

[tlongII]

Wow. What a surprise. I was so sure Bowen would make the team.

[bdictjames]

That's good news, Argentina might as well bring another trophy to themselves because Bowen's not there to stop Manu

[cheguevara]

That's good news, Argentina might as well bring another trophy to themselves because Bowen's not there to stop Manu

you must not be paying attention. Argentina is struggling. Strongest team is USA by far

[rascal]

Bowen was lucky to even get an invite. One dimensional players don't belong on the US team. There are better options that bring a more all around game.

[cheguevara]

One dimensional players don't belong on the US team.

what do you call Dwayne Wade then?

[Dex]

so just because they cut bruce bowen, they are not longer the favorites? are you ing kidding me? im sure that Lebron and Wade, who are widely considered the two best basketball players in the world, and are both completely unselfish, along with the rest of the players on this team, will be just fine. who on this team is selfish? the only person that could be considered selfish was Gilbert Arenas, and hes gone now. EVERY single player on this team, can be effective and produce without shots or the ball. every single player can play very solid defense, has good passing skills, can hit long jumpers and threes (especially since the 3pt line is fairly shorter in international play). use your brain dude. quit being such a ing homer.

Yeah, because just HAVING a team of the best basketball players in the world did us so well in Athens.

If the US loses in this tournament, it won't be because they don't have ing Bruce Bowen. It will be because they don't have guys that can knock down jump shots. Zone defenses will clog up the driving lanes for guys like Wade and Lebron, and somebody's going to have to make jumpers. That's why Carmelo has been so important, cuz he's the best jump shooter they've got. Last I checked, Bowen wasn't anything special, with the exception of the occasional wide open three.

Personally, I would have liked to see Bowen on the team, for team chemistry purposes more than anything. He could play the "crafty veteran" role to perfection and he's by far the most intelligent guy on the team. Jamison should have been cut instead. But Bowen's defense doesn't mean in the international game. And if the US loses, it's only because they're alot farther behind internationally than originally feared. Not because they don't have LOL bruce bowen.

In my second reply, I stated that Bruce getting cut isn't the only problem I see with this team.

There is still no predication on defense (which is obvious, since you could only name 2 out of the 12 who have any sort of defensive credentials), team play (5 Lebron/Wade wannabes don't make for good team play, even if you DO have Chris Paul on the ing floor), and jump shooting (once again, you said yourself that we've only had one or two people able to knock down the jay consistently).

To me, Bruce getting cut just symbolizes the fact that they've thrown all these 'prerequisites' out the window, if you get rid of the ONE guy that was still there for team morale, defense, and a solid shot (though, I will admit...Bruce shot like crap in all the friendlies. He may have had it coming)

To me, this looks just like the Athens team, minus Tim Duncan, and with a bunch of young and "promising" players replacing the ball-hogs and bigheads we had representing us in Greece. Will this make a difference? For sure.

Will it be enough to put them over the top? I sure hope so.

[stretch]

Yeah, because just HAVING a team of the best basketball players in the world did us so well in Athens.

these are COMPLETELY different players, in terms of personality, style, work ethic, and skills. no one on this team is selfish, while about half of the team that played in athens was known for being selfish. why dont you get your head out of your ass, quit beating off to bruce bowen, and see that this is a much different, more balanced, and better team than the US has had in a long time, whether Bowen is on the roster or not.

why dont you look at the roster again, before you say that we have no defense, no shooting, and no team play. if you have any basketball knowledge whatsoever, you would know that this team is VERY balanced in all areas.

[Dex]

these are COMPLETELY different players, in terms of personality, style, work ethic, and skills. no one on this team is selfish, while about half of the team that played in athens was known for being selfish. why dont you get your head out of your ass, quit beating off to bruce bowen, and see that this is a much different, more balanced, and better team than the US has had in a long time, whether Bowen is on the roster or not.

why dont you look at the roster again, before you say that we have no defense, no shooting, and no team play. if you have any basketball knowledge whatsoever, you would know that this team is VERY balanced in all areas.

Carmelo Anthony
Carlos Boozer
Tim Duncan
Allen Iverson
LeBron James
Richard Jefferson
Stephon Marbury
Shawn Marion
Lamar Odom
Emeka Okafor
Amare Stoudemire
Dwyane Wade

- - - - -

Carmelo Anthony
Shane Battier
Chris Bosh
Elton Brand
Kirk Hinrich
Dwight Howard
LeBron James
Antawn Jamison
Joe Johnson
Brad Miller
Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade

-----------------------------

Okay, so we still have Bron, Melo, and Wade, though they will obviously be much more of the focal point under Coach K.

Instead of RJ/Marion/Odom....we have Battier/Jamison/JJ. Not much of an upgrade. Battier is the only one in that group that plays defense with a passion, so I'll give that to you. If Jamison knows how to defend, it sure as isn't helping the Wizards much.

Instead of Tim Duncan/Amare Stoudemire/Carlos Boozer, we have Brad Miller/Chris Bosh/Elton Brand. Even though both Bosh and Brand are manchilds, this is definitely a downgrade if you ask me. (Duncan/Amare before his surgery > Bosh/Brand any day of the week, even the ones that don't end in Y)

And then instead of Marbury/Iverson playin ballhog, we'll have Chris Paul and Kirk Hinrich distributing. This is probably the only real improvement the US team has made. Should hopefully keep the team involved and encourage team play, but like I said, when you have 6 guys who all want to charge the post and drop a lob, it's hard to play like a team and use the whole court.

Yeah, they're all decent shooters, defenders, and team players. But, for the most part, they were in years past too. And it's gotten painfully obvious that them just showing up on the court isn't going to get this country a gold.

[Obstructed_View]

I just hope Bruce takes it out on everybody next year. I'd love to see the Spurs play with a chip on their shoulder.