The Olympic Basketball thread

by Chairman Meow on Feb 2, 2012 12:39 PM EST

With all the negativity surrounding the Knicks, lets talk about something we can all get behind: Americans beating lesser countries.

As it stands now, there are 20 finalists for the team's twelve roster spots:

Forwards — Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge.

Guards — Chauncey Billups, Kobe Bryant, Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams.

Centers — Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler.

One has to assume that there are seven people that are 100% no doubt on the team; Dwight, LeBron, Durant, Kobe, Wade, Love and Paul. That's would be a pretty good starting line up with some flexibility at the 4, 3, and 2 position, but who would be the backups?

If I was running the show, my starting lineup would be Dwight, Love, LeBron, Wade, Paul. The bench would be; Melo, Durant, Griffin, Odom, Kobe, Deron/Rose (I honestly can't decide), and Tyson. With these twelve guys, you could put together five people for any conceivable situation (Imagine the dunks a lineup of Dwight, Griffin, Durant, Lebron, and Rose would have against the Tunisian team.)

So what would your team look like. And who do you think the most dangerous team beside the US will be? The countries that are participating are USA, Tunisia, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, China, France, Australia, Great Britain, and three of these guys. With the emergence of Ricky Rubio, Spain has a pretty good team (did you know Serge Ibaka is Spanish? I sure didn't.)

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I always start to have conspiracy theories

And think that the U.S won’t win a gold medal. Then I look at a post like this and realize that Rose, Melo and Blake Griffin are going to be bench players. Damn.

And yeah, Spain is going to be a tough game for them. France has a pretty good team as well (Joakim Noah, Tony Parker, Turiaf, and at least a couple more NBA players). Brazil and Greece are almost always decent as well, with teams that plays better than the sum of their parts.

The only thing I hate about any international basketball competition is being reminded of the fact that Slovakia sucks. Seriously, we’re tied for 75th. Bangladesh and Madagascar are ranked higher. Sigh.

New York Knicks = Sleeping Giants

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by moose35 on Feb 2, 2012 12:48 PM EST reply actions

"Americans beating lesser countries"

lol. This is a crazy team….Spain is gonna be tough tho like you said. I think

Argentina is usually a beast (Manu, Scola, Delfino, Nocioni)

You just got Tysoned!!!!!!

by Jason Bee on Feb 2, 2012 1:57 PM EST reply actions

Puerto Rico has a pretty good team.

Balkman’s in an unusual position; he could make or break the team.

Stainer of mountaintops.

by Chairman Meow on Feb 2, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

This is easy

Chauncey, Odom, Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay definitely shouldn’t make it. Tyson Chandler probably shouldn’t. I’d maybe also omit Westbrook and Griffin. There might be an injury.

Based on talent, US should demolish every other team. It’s just a matter of chemistry and game plans. I think the argument for Rubio was that he would excel in the NBA. He’s never been a huge factor in international basketball, Pau Gasol is declining, and Ibaka hasn’t played too well.

NBA Team Analysis and Player Comparison

by mindfeck on Feb 2, 2012 2:37 PM EST reply actions

Tyson Chandler....

will definitely make the team. You really can’t go in with Howard as your only true center. I guess Love (or Aldridge if he makes it) could play center in a pinch, but remember they are building a TEAM, not assembling a group of the 12 best players.

So you need depth at the C position, so Tyson is in.

The other 11 will probably be Paul, Rose, Williams, Wade, Bryant, James, Durant, Anthony, Love, Aldridge/Griffin, and Howard.

by NY Tony on Feb 2, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

I'm pretty sure that the last few international tournaments, the true centers hardly played

They’re too unskilled. Tyson Chandler didn’t play much, right?

Bosh and Aldridge would probably be better options.

NBA Team Analysis and Player Comparison

by mindfeck on Feb 2, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

You might be right....

The international big men tend to be outside shooters, so they may prefer a more fleet-footed PF or even SF guarding them. I would imagine a player like Bosh or certainly Aldridge could hold his own against most international centers.

by NY Tony on Feb 2, 2012 5:35 PM EST reply actions

Got tickets to 2 quarter finals...

Still hoping to get tickets to the others when they go back on sale.

I really hope Griffin makes the squad, I want to see one of his rim-rattling dunks in person, plus he’s the only baller that my Mrs seems to take any notice of.

As for the Squad I can see it being

Rose, Paul, Kobe, Wade, Melo, Lebron, Durant, Griffin Love, Dwight, Tyson

With the last spot being contested by Williams and Bosh, depending where you want the extra man.

by Bertilad on Feb 3, 2012 2:52 AM EST reply actions