Post by James on May 7, 2008 0:29:07 GMT -5
Team USA
Whilst the 2006 BBS regular season rolls on, the attention of some has been re-directed towards this years FIBA World Championships in Japan. Having not won the tournament since 1994 and suffering a number of embarrassing tournament defeats and exits in recent years, the United States will be looking to re-assert their dominance on the world stage and once again be crowned World Champions of the basketball world.
The selection process isn’t as easy as naming the leagues top 10 best American players. The US can’t afford to pick second tier super-stars and they cannot rely on their athletic superiority alone anymore. A strategic selection process that pinpoints team needs and that of international basketball will be the correct and winning formula.
So how will Team USA go about its selection process? Could it possibly enter last years World Champion Dallas Mavericks? Surely guys like LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler could get the job done? Do they enter this years top College team or do they assemble a team that will specifically meet the needs and correct the weaknesses of past USA teams?
If we identify the positive aspects of play exhibited by such teams as Argentina, Spain, Greece, France and Serbia in international basketball, potentially applying these characteristics to the US-player selection process should theoretically work. The aforementioned teams are the pinnacle of international basketball today so utilising their blueprint for success only seems logical.
So what is needed? Talent is a given. Depth is a given. Athleticism is a given. However, combining these 3 traits hasn’t worked to well for the United States in the past.
How about a wide range of skill-sets, a combination of deadly outside and inside scorers, a mixture of veterans and youth, a list lighter on super-stars although heavier on roll players (compared to teams of yesteryear)?
As it has been proven in the past, all of the above can be well drilled, assembled and sent out onto the floor together, however if team chemistry isn’t there, if the will to win is absent, they won’t win.
Taking all of this into account, who should make the 15 man Team USA squad for 2006 in preparation for the FIBA World Championships and in turn, the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Heres my very subjective list of players with an explanation under each. I ignored some of the older players who have rejected invitations in the past (Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan) as well as those who have already won gold medals in previous international tournaments (Antonio McDyess, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett) and would be more inclined to take the summer off as opposed to playing for a second medal. Also, players who were unable to get things done on the international scene in the past were also passed upon (including Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury etc)
Centers
Tyson Chandler
Chandler won his first championship last season with the Dallas Mavericks. He is an elite defender and rebounder who plays his role within a defined system very well.
Dwight Howard
At only 19, Dwight Howard is the youngest player to make the team. Standing at 7’0” and weighting in at 248 pounds, Dwight would easily be able to overpower any opposing big men. He would provide the team with another great defender and rebounder as well as some firepower in terms of scoring down-low.
Power Forwards
Jermaine O’Neal
O’Neal has been a winner in the BBS since day 1 so not only is he picked due to his immense amount of talent, however his ability to carry a team and win have also been considered. O’Neal is also very reliable and would consistently give the team 10 and 10.
Elton Brand
Like O’Neal, Brand is a very consistent player and one who knows how to win. A best in the paint, Brand would give the team veteran leadership (as he is a very sound, calm and dependable player) as well as more power on the scoring front.
Amare Stoudemire
Along with Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire is coming off of a championship Season. Pair Amare in the frontcourt with team-mates Tyson Chandler and LeBron James and you automatically have 3 guys who played together for over 100+ games. That sort of chemistry is invaluable to any squad, let alone one with so much talent.
Small Forwards
[/u]Whilst the 2006 BBS regular season rolls on, the attention of some has been re-directed towards this years FIBA World Championships in Japan. Having not won the tournament since 1994 and suffering a number of embarrassing tournament defeats and exits in recent years, the United States will be looking to re-assert their dominance on the world stage and once again be crowned World Champions of the basketball world.
The selection process isn’t as easy as naming the leagues top 10 best American players. The US can’t afford to pick second tier super-stars and they cannot rely on their athletic superiority alone anymore. A strategic selection process that pinpoints team needs and that of international basketball will be the correct and winning formula.
So how will Team USA go about its selection process? Could it possibly enter last years World Champion Dallas Mavericks? Surely guys like LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler could get the job done? Do they enter this years top College team or do they assemble a team that will specifically meet the needs and correct the weaknesses of past USA teams?
If we identify the positive aspects of play exhibited by such teams as Argentina, Spain, Greece, France and Serbia in international basketball, potentially applying these characteristics to the US-player selection process should theoretically work. The aforementioned teams are the pinnacle of international basketball today so utilising their blueprint for success only seems logical.
So what is needed? Talent is a given. Depth is a given. Athleticism is a given. However, combining these 3 traits hasn’t worked to well for the United States in the past.
How about a wide range of skill-sets, a combination of deadly outside and inside scorers, a mixture of veterans and youth, a list lighter on super-stars although heavier on roll players (compared to teams of yesteryear)?
As it has been proven in the past, all of the above can be well drilled, assembled and sent out onto the floor together, however if team chemistry isn’t there, if the will to win is absent, they won’t win.
Taking all of this into account, who should make the 15 man Team USA squad for 2006 in preparation for the FIBA World Championships and in turn, the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Heres my very subjective list of players with an explanation under each. I ignored some of the older players who have rejected invitations in the past (Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan) as well as those who have already won gold medals in previous international tournaments (Antonio McDyess, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett) and would be more inclined to take the summer off as opposed to playing for a second medal. Also, players who were unable to get things done on the international scene in the past were also passed upon (including Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury etc)
Centers
Tyson Chandler
Chandler won his first championship last season with the Dallas Mavericks. He is an elite defender and rebounder who plays his role within a defined system very well.
Dwight Howard
At only 19, Dwight Howard is the youngest player to make the team. Standing at 7’0” and weighting in at 248 pounds, Dwight would easily be able to overpower any opposing big men. He would provide the team with another great defender and rebounder as well as some firepower in terms of scoring down-low.
Power Forwards
Jermaine O’Neal
O’Neal has been a winner in the BBS since day 1 so not only is he picked due to his immense amount of talent, however his ability to carry a team and win have also been considered. O’Neal is also very reliable and would consistently give the team 10 and 10.
Elton Brand
Like O’Neal, Brand is a very consistent player and one who knows how to win. A best in the paint, Brand would give the team veteran leadership (as he is a very sound, calm and dependable player) as well as more power on the scoring front.
Amare Stoudemire
Along with Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire is coming off of a championship Season. Pair Amare in the frontcourt with team-mates Tyson Chandler and LeBron James and you automatically have 3 guys who played together for over 100+ games. That sort of chemistry is invaluable to any squad, let alone one with so much talent.
Small Forwards
Tracy McGrady
McGrady’s ability to do everything on the basketball court is what made his selection easy for this new and improved Team USA. He is now playing for a winning team (in Houston) and will carry that momentum onto the international scene. McGrady is a guy who can go inside and outside and should have no trouble dealing with a man-to-man defence or the more frequent, 2-3 or 3-2 zone. Much like the trio from Dallas, McGrady’s on-court partnership with Jermaine O’Neal could prove to invaluable.
LeBron James
As previously mentioned, LeBron’s combination with Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire, plus his amazing skill-set and do it all ability make his selection into this squad a no-brainer. At only 20 years old, James already has the physical ability to over-power his international opponent, however also the mental capacity to deal with change.
Ron Artest
Artest, who is currently apart of the most successful team in BBS history (in terms of winning %), gives Team USA a lock-down, no fuss defender. Often, opposing players light up from the permitter against the USA thanks to a lack of desire to defend, however with Artest in the team, that is no longer a problem. With help defence available, Artest would be able to guard players like Tony Parker all the way through to Andrie Kirilenko and Pau Gasol.
Shooting Guards[/u]
Paul Pierce
Pierce has asserted himself as one of the best players in the BBS today so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see his name here. A great shooter, defender, team player and more importantly, a winner, Pierce gives the team a focal point in the offence. Furthermore, Pierces relationship with team member Richard Hamilton could serve to be deadly if they spend any time on the court together.
Rip Hamilton
Hamiltons outside shooting and ability to get open and score off-the ball make his unique skill-set a very desirable one A great scorer and spot up jump shooter, Hamilton’s high shooting % and efficiency place him in this years 15 man Team USA squad.
Kobe Bryant
Bryants ability to flat out score as well as individual success has almost set his position in this team in concrete. With the talent to score on any defender in the world, hit tough shots and make clutch plays, expect Bryant to be one of the team’s standout players.
Joe Johnson
Johnson gives the team a role-playing scorer. Johnson is a terrific permitter shooter and dynamic scorer however one that will settle for jump shots coming off picks. He won’t need the ball in his hands all the time to be effective. His connection with Elton Brand is also a positive for the teams overall chemistry.
Point Guards[/u]
Gilbert Arenas
Arenas could make a claim to be the most talented player in the BBS today; and he probably already has. Place him in the backcourt with teammate Kirk Hinrich and run the trio from Dallas on the court with them and you have 5 guys who have played over 300+ games together.
Kirk Hinrich
Hinrich is a pass first point guard with a deadly outside shot. With a wide variety of scorers in the team, Hinrich should have no trouble notching up 8 assists per game come tournament time.
Jason Kidd
Kidd is the oldest member of this squad and for good reason. His veteran leadership at the point should prove invaluable for this relatively young team.[/center]
