Usa Basketball

[Jadaki 0]

If Pau and Manu play i'll entertain bets on "the field"

How about bets against Argentina?

[tskillz187 0]

How about bets against Argentina?

Against? Are you laying odds? I think I bet on Arg last yr to cover for a hundo...

[flyingdonkey 0]

CP has already said he is in for this summer, they were debating between Kidd and D. Williams.

[SuitedAces21 2,721]

CP has already said he is in for this summer, they were debating between Kidd and D. Williams.

Oh really. Any links?

[flyingdonkey 0]

Oh really. Any links?

No links, I heard this on Mike and Mike either yesterday morning or this morning.

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

Do you think a dream team of today, with Chris Paul, Duncan and Garnett, could beat 92's dream team? Magic was with AIDS and a knee injury and barely played. It was Bird's last competitive basketball and he was well past done. Now, I understand this won't be the team that goes to China, but if we took our best players, I'd take them against the dream team...G KobeG Chris PaulC Dwight HowardF LebronF Kevin GarnettBenchTim DuncanD-WadeCarmelloAmareDeron WilliamsCarlos BoozerKevin Durrant VersesG JordanG John StocktonC EwingF Bird ( though I think Mullen played more.. he was second to Barkley in scoring for the team)F Barley BenchDrexlerMagicChristian LaettnerKarl MaloneMullen ( like I said, I think he played more than Bird. At his peak he was very much Bird-esque.)PippenDavid RobinsonJohn Stockton.Break down...Jordan>Kobe. But not by a whole bunch. Jordan is the best shooting guard in history, Kobe is number two. Jordan is better at defense (though Kobe is no slouch), and they are both comparable offensive scorers.Chris Paul> Stockton. Stockton was at his prime, Paul hasn't gotten near his prime. That said, I'd rather have Paul right now, than any point guard other than Magic at his peak. Magic was not at his peak during the Olympics. He was done.Dwight Howard> Ewing. Even though Patrick was at his peak, I think Dwight Howard is a more dominant, more physical, more aggressive, less of a choke artist than Ewing. This one would be close, but I'd rather have Howard, right now. IN four years, it would even be close who I'd rather have.Lebron> Bird. Bird was hampered by back injuries at this point in his career, and right before retirement. A peak Bird would be another story, but I don't think this is a close one.Barkley> Garnett. Barkley was at his absolute peak, completely dominated the Olympics and was the MVP of the competition. People forget what a force he was. That said, Garnett's intensity and defense would bring alot to the 2008 team, and he will be missed.Benches...Tim Duncan> David Robinson. Not close, IMO. If you consider Duncan a power forward, he's the best of all time. If he's a center, he's top 5. Either way, he's completely dominant and clutch. Will be missed on the team.Drexler> D-wade. If D-wade was healthy, it would be another story. But he's not. This one's hard to call.Deron> Magic Magic was done at this point.Karl Malone > Amare. This one is closer than also.. Amare is so big and so untouchable, and the Mail man liked to disappear under pressure. But still, Malone was a dominant Power forward. Pippen> Carmello. Perhaps this opinion would be different if the Pistons hadn't opted for Darko. Mullen> Boozer. In terms of how the Dream team actually went, however, I'd take Lebron>Mullen and Boozer over Bird. Boozer doesn't play the same position, grated, but.. I'd rather take a young, healthy star than a superstar with nothing left in the tank. Mullen and Lebron play completely different games, but I'd still take Lebron. I think his game is particularly suited for international play.Durrant> Christian Laettner Not even close. Overall, I'd take the modern team. The 92 dream team looks better when you see the names, but when you consider what skill level those players were at, at that time.. Laettner is a zero, Magic was done, Bird was as good as done. So the team wasn't deep at all. Whereas the 2008 team would be full of young, fresh, hungry stars entering their prime (or a little before it). It has one all time great in his prime ( kobe), one all time great a little passed his prime, but certainly close to it ( Duncan). It has one great, who's all time status could be greatly enhanced in the next couple years ( Garnett) It has 3 young players who have virtually no ceiling on how good they could become ( Lebron, Paul and Howard). Three stars who's potential may not be limitless, but have top ten all time at their position potential ( Boozer, Carmello and Amare), one player who's talent seemed limitless 2 years ago ( D-Wade) and rookie who's ceiling is yet to be determined but certainly has a very high up side ( Durrant). In short, I think the true 2008 Dream team is chocked full of young, fresh, amazing talent. I think it's a deeper team, and overall a better team. That said, would I really bet against an All-NBA team with Jordan on it?

[Jadaki 0]

Do you think a dream team of today, with Chris Paul, Duncan and Garnett, could beat 92's dream team? Magic was with AIDS and a knee injury and barely played. It was Bird's last competitive basketball and he was well past done.

I think it's more interesting if you take the players at comparable ages.That said, no team we put together now will likely ever dominate the way the 92 team did, international basketball has gotten so much better in 16 years is amazing.

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

I think it's more interesting if you take the players at comparable ages.That said, no team we put together now will likely ever dominate the way the 92 team did, international basketball has gotten so much better in 16 years is amazing.

I was talking about 2008 vs 1992, not how this team will do internationally. You're absolutely right, international competition has changed completely. If you take the players at comparable ages, I would definitely take this team. These players would be veterans when those players would rookies or still in college. If you made everyone, say, 28, now that would be interesting. We'd have to wait a couple years to have the discussion. If the players project how I think they will, particularly Paul and Howard, I would still take this team. But it would be much, much closer.

[Jadaki 0]

I was talking about 2008 vs 1992, not how this team will do internationally. You're absolutely right, international competition has changed completely. If you take the players at comparable ages, I would definitely take this team. These players would be veterans when those players would rookies or still in college. If you made everyone, say, 28, now that would be interesting. We'd have to wait a couple years to have the discussion. If the players project how I think they will, particularly Paul and Howard, I would still take this team. But it would be much, much closer.

I don't know. Do you remember the kind of stuff Magic was doing his rookie year?The current roster has no one that can guard a 6'9 PG with the passing skills of Magic. No one that shoots as good as Bird, Jordan and Kobe are close enough that it's probably only a slight edge to MJ. The current teams bench would probably be a little better, but you give me a team with 28 year old versions of MJ, Magic and Bird and I'll take on anyone. Barkley and Howard would have one hell of a rebounding battle.

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

I don't know. Do you remember the kind of stuff Magic was doing his rookie year?The current roster has no one that can guard a 6'9 PG with the passing skills of Magic. No one that shoots as good as Bird, Jordan and Kobe are close enough that it's probably only a slight edge to MJ. The current teams bench would probably be a little better, but you give me a team with 28 year old versions of MJ, Magic and Bird and I'll take on anyone. Barkley and Howard would have one hell of a rebounding battle.

Well, we'll see how good Lebron gets at Defense at 28.. that's why it's hard to make this argument right now. If Lebron becomes a good defensive player, he'd be on Magic. But as of right now, Magic would abuse this squad. Conversely, Magic would have no hope of covering Lebron on D. Pippen would probably have to take Lebron. I think Tim Duncan at 28 would abuse Ewing/Robinson/Malone. Kevin Garnett at 28 is an absolute monster, it's so sad it was waisted in Minnesota. Chris Paul, at 28? who knows what that would be. Howard at 28? again, who the hell knows. If Lebron develops a post game and/or a jump shot.... Not to mention no one knows what Kevin Durrant is going to turn into. Again, this is all speculation, but the real question is how good Lebron/Paul/Howard become.

[Jadaki 0]

Well, we'll see how good Lebron gets at Defense at 28.. that's why it's hard to make this argument right now. If Lebron becomes a good defensive player, he'd be on Magic. But as of right now, Magic would abuse this squad. Conversely, Magic would have no hope of covering Lebron on D. Pippen would probably have to take Lebron. I think Tim Duncan at 28 would abuse Ewing/Robinson/Malone. Kevin Garnett at 28 is an absolute monster, it's so sad it was waisted in Minnesota. Chris Paul, at 28? who knows what that would be. Howard at 28? again, who the hell knows. If Lebron develops a post game and/or a jump shot.... Not to mention no one knows what Kevin Durrant is going to turn into. Again, this is all speculation, but the real question is how good Lebron/Paul/Howard become.

The only thing I think I disagree with is that Duncan would abuse Ewing/Robinson/Malone. All of them are much more physical defenders, Tim's game is very finesse for a PF/Center and I think he would get pushed off the block and out of his comfort zone a lot.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

How are they going with basically only one big man? Hopefully it won't matter, but I don't think it's very smart.

[outsider13 0]

How are they going with basically only one big man? Hopefully it won't matter, but I don't think it's very smart.

I agree. Bosh can play big though vs. a lot of teams internationally. Defensively he will be a liability, but he's a tough match up offensively.

[PMJackson21 0]

How are they going with basically only one big man? Hopefully it won't matter, but I don't think it's very smart.

Chris Mihm is available.

[CaneBrain 95]

How are they going with basically only one big man? Hopefully it won't matter, but I don't think it's very smart.

I actually think it shows that the USA basketball "people" have been paying attention. Back to the basket big men are very much marginalized by international rules (specifically the trapezoidal lane). Run and gun basketball and strong perimeter defense are the keys to winning at the Olympics, imo.I think only taking one big man shows that the US is serious about making adjustments to the international game....though perhaps taking two big guys would be better as insurance.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

Back to the basket big men are very much marginalized by international rules (specifically the trapezoidal lane).I think only taking one big man shows that the US is serious about making adjustments to the international game....though perhaps taking two big guys would be better as insurance.

I don't care about offense, but what happens if Howard turns an ankle, gets in foul trouble in a single elim game? They'll have zero inside presence defensively, which makes it much more difficult to overplay on the perimeter effectively, which I think there biggest advantage is. Again, hopefully it doesn't matter, but their margin for error is smaller.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

Chris Mihm is available.

Too soon.

[PMJackson21 0]

Too soon.

Lol he needs the work though! According to his exit interview, he looks forward to being part of the big man rotation next year...He also wasn't going to opt out, shocking.

[CaneBrain 95]

I don't care about offense, but what happens if Howard turns an ankle, gets in foul trouble in a single elim game? They'll have zero inside presence defensively, which makes it much more difficult to overplay on the perimeter effectively, which I think there biggest advantage is. Again, hopefully it doesn't matter, but their margin for error is smaller.

I agree which is why two real big men makes more sense to me......but I do think that in general building the team around shooting, ballhandling and perimeter D is the way to go.I am not sure who the 2nd guy would be though. Josh Smith has the shot blocking ability but is a total headcase and might cause an international incident. Chris Mihm, no thanks, lol. Okafor? Marcus Camby might be a good idea. I would go with him I think if I had to pick a 2nd big guy who would address your concerns.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

I agree which is why two real big men makes more sense to me......but I do think that in general building the team around shooting, ballhandling and perimeter D is the way to go.I am not sure who the 2nd guy would be though. Josh Smith has the shot blocking ability but is a total headcase and might cause an international incident. Chris Mihm, no thanks, lol. Okafor? Marcus Camby might be a good idea. I would go with him I think if I had to pick a 2nd big guy who would address your concerns.

Well it would have been Stoudemire until he dropped out, but I thought when that happened Tyson Chandler would be in for sure.

[CaneBrain 95]

Well it would have been Stoudemire until he dropped out, but I thought when that happened Tyson Chandler would be in for sure.

forgot about chandler. he makes even more sense than Camby. I have to agree with you....they should have left out someone for Tyson Chandler. his ability to play an up and down full court style combined with his great defense and rebounding should have made him a no brainer. he fits international bball well.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

Lol he needs the work though! According to his exit interview, he looks forward to being part of the big man rotation next year...He also wasn't going to opt out, shocking.

I actually liked Mihm before he got hurt, plus I heard his sister is super super hot, although I have yet to see any pictures.

[PMJackson21 0]

I actually liked Mihm before he got hurt, plus I heard his sister is super super hot, although I have yet to see any pictures.

Yeah, he seemed like he would be similar to Gasol in that he had some range, could pass, etc. I remember him more at Texas then I do in the pros though.Obv marry the sister, get close to your brother in law, and somehow force your way into Kobe's inner circle.

[FCP Bob 1,311]

How is Kidd still on this team.Smart opponents will be able to exploit the fact that he can't hit a jump shot. I hope for their sake that he doesn't see any important minutes.I think you'll see LeBron play a lot of 4.

[CaneBrain 95]

How is Kidd still on this team.Smart opponents will be able to exploit the fact that he can't hit a jump shot. I hope for their sake that he doesn't see any important minutes.I think you'll see LeBron play a lot of 4.

good freaking question.Lebron at the 4? I like it.