Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards)
Shane Battier (Houston Rockets)
Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)
Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs)
Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers)
Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards)
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings)
Chris Paul (New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornets)
Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns)
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat).

http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_finalists15.html

Discuss. :gossip: :playball:

I don't like the selections. This team is young and athletic, but doesn't possess the one thing missing so badly on the last Dream Team. Outside shooters. Lots of guys with mid-range game and fellas who can finish in transition but where are the Michael Redds? Even the Kyle Korvers or Ben Gordons?

This team lacks size and shooting for athleticism. It should be interesting to see if the "new" NBA can compete.

I don't like the selections. This team is young and athletic, but doesn't possess the one thing missing so badly on the last Dream Team. Outside shooters...This team lacks size and shooting for athleticism. It should be interesting to see if the "new" NBA can compete.

Roscoe, the Duke coach is the head coach. Do you think he is trying to make the team in his Duke system? I don't know much about him, but he does seem to have a winning system in the NCAA. Maybe size isn't very important in that system.

Also Elton Brand is pretty big, and so is Dwight Howard isn't he?

Joe Johnson is a pretty good outside shooter. Alot of names I just don't know much about.

As I love all things basketball, even watching YMCA pick-up games, I will be watching all this. Mostly I am looking forward to Wade and LeBron not getting automatic calls by the refs. That will be highly enjoyable, and I hope some of it is on NBA TV which I will have by Friday.

EB is an undersized PF, and Howard is a PF not a center. Amare is a true PF not a center.

I see a small team. The Cheikh Sambs and Saer Senes of the world will eat these guys alive. ;)

They are taking a chance exposing their bread and butter players to the even whistles of the International refs. They got away with it the last time. Team USA comes in 3rd for the Olympics with almost no reprocussions.

Most of the big centers are foreign these days so not much they can do about that. They did get burned the last time in the Olympics for a lack of outside shooting.

I wonder why Kobe is not on the team? He has not played since April.

They are taking a chance exposing their bread and butter players to the even whistles of the International refs. They got away with it the last time. Team USA comes in 3rd for the Olympics with almost no reprocussions.

Most of the big centers are foreign these days so not much they can do about that. They did get burned the last time in the Olympics for a lack of outside shooting.

I wonder why Kobe is not on the team? He has not played since April.
He needed to pass due to recent arthroscopic knee surgery.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=afp-basketnbabryantusa&prov=afp&type=lgns

I see a small team. The Cheikh Sambs and Saer Senes of the world will eat these guys alive. ;)

Okay, I just looked everybody up on NBA.com and ESPN.com. NBA.com only designates guard, forward, center whereas ESPN.com gives PG, SG, SF, PF, C.

alphabetically

PG: Gilbert Arenas, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Paul
SG: Joe Johnson, Dwyane Wade
SF: Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Bruce Bowen, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison
PF: Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire
C: Brad Miller

Yeah, it's a small team. Only one true center and only two shooting guards. I guess Amare and Dwight Howard will be playing center too, and LeBron can be a shooter. Anyway, when you think of all the impressive players in the NBA you wonder how they came up with this group. Seems like a real random collection. Anyone have any ideas from looking at this list what the game plan and emphasis will be?

Seems like a real random collection. Anyone have any ideas from looking at this list what the game plan and emphasis will be?

hardly any true distributors and a lot of guys who create their own shot. will it work? it didn't last time. who's going to pass the rock? hinrich and paul. thats about it. joe can, but not a pure distributor, he would be more likely to hang on the arc. expect arenas to take a lot of shots as usual. maybe some dissention within. i think CB would add a lot of vet experience to this team. they will miss him.
i just look at the squad and see no chemistry at all.
i like world ball, it brings these stars back down to earth and play by the real rules. no superstar calls here. no 15 steps for a dunk.
i'm not sure these guys can win it.

Pretty interesting comments from Bruce Bowen on the lack of fundamental development in the NBA.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/438105p-369138c.html

Since we know LB is all about fundamentals, you have to wonder if he is the appropriate scapegoat for an Olympic team loaded with ISO players (Wade, LBJ, AI, Starbury, Duncan).

Pretty interesting comments from Bruce Bowen on the lack of fundamental development in the NBA.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/438105p-369138c.html

Since we know LB is all about fundamentals, you have to wonder if he is the appropriate scapegoat for an Olympic team loaded with ISO players (Wade, LBJ, AI, Starbury, Duncan).

nelly would have won with that team. you play to your teams strengths. especially in the short prep time that you have for olympic competition. nobody can run and play defense like the u.s.a teams. you play the euro game and you will lose.

What three people didn't make the team? (I thought ESPN said 3 people wouldn't make it, but not positive)

You do realize that the most successful teams in the Olympics two years ago did play Euro-style ball, because it's the same rules, court and FIBA referees.

So if you think the US can be successful playing an exclusively American style, then you are 14 years late. The world has started to catch up to America with this sport. You only have to see a German leading a team to the NBA Finals, and a two-time Canadian MVP as proof. Or the 2005 Finals champs with a Frenchman at the point, and an Argentine at shooting guard.

Adapt or die. Flip has a dinosaur picture for you. (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060719/SPORTS03/607190368)

Athleticism will never overcome fundamentals. The human body is only so elastic, but fundamentals provide the opportunity for Excellence in Execution (http://www.webontario.com/fighting/brethart/brethart.html).

What three people didn't make the team? (I thought ESPN said 3 people wouldn't make it, but not positive)

Two guys, Adam Morrison (Gonzaga, Charlotte Bobcats) and Luke Ridnour (Seattle Sonics) didn't make the cut. Shaun Marion pulled out due to injury.

Three more will be cut before August 19-Sept 3 World Championship competition.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyID=2006-07-25T220338Z_01_N25219398_RTRUKOC_0_US-BASKETBALL-US.xml

Yeah, it's a small team. Only one true center and only two shooting guards. I guess Amare and Dwight Howard will be playing center too, and LeBron can be a shooter. Anyway, when you think of all the impressive players in the NBA you wonder how they came up with this group. Seems like a real random collection. Anyone have any ideas from looking at this list what the game plan and emphasis will be?

Tring to bump that shock thread and finally put it out of its misery.

While I am here....

This team is better than the last one they had. I would like to see team USA win but not because of Wade/Lebran. I would love to see them be called for travels and offensive fouls. The other guys can step up for the win. Bosh/Miller have height.

I also don't think LB managed the roster for the daily consecutive grind in 04. Better roster management will go a long way.

Two guys, Adam Morrison (Gonzaga, Charlotte Bobcats) and Luke Ridnour (Seattle Sonics) didn't make the cut. Shaun Marion pulled out due to injury.

Three more will be cut before August 19-Sept 3 World Championship competition.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyID=2006-07-25T220338Z_01_N25219398_RTRUKOC_0_US-BASKETBALL-US.xml

I say cut Arenas, Battier, and Jamison.

The Wiz are the only team with 2 players on this team. Give me a freakin break!!!!!!!!!!!

I would cut Joe Johnson for sure.

So I'm watching this US-Puerto Rico game, and I notice that our players are giving little military salutes to the crowd after they do something special (dunk, block, etc.). Then Bill Walton says that this is a gesture of appreciation to the members of the armed forces that are in the audience. I understand the spirit of the gesture, but I don't think it works very well. Especially since it is beginning with these NBA players to take the place of a high-5, or a fist pump, or a chest thump. I hope it's going to be only for this game. I think it's going to look both goofy and militaristic if they stick with it through the World Championships. They need to figure out some other way to acknowledge the troops. It could start a bad world trend.

I would cut Joe Johnson for sure.

He is a sharp shooter... and with the short 3-point line, he is deadly. Also, he had the juke of the game against PR.

Amare Stoudemire is off the US World Team. I sure hope this guy can make it all the way back. He is one of my favorite players.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14173914/#storyContinued

Several people have mentioned that the selection of players leaves something to be desired. I am wondering how much, if anything, is due to the fact that they would be dedicating three summers to this team.

Maybe there were some players who did not want to give up three summers to compete on this team.

I remember in the past, there were quite a few players who did not want to play, although at that time, they felt that it was not safe to go and maybe even take their families, because of terrorism.

I don't remember hearing that anyone refused but I wonder if anyone let it be known that they did not want to go so were not selected.

They really looked good tonight, and I believe PR to be a pretty strong team. I wonder.

They really looked good tonight, and I believe PR to be a pretty strong team. I wonder.

Bill Walton said during the broadcast that Puerto Rico is ranked 11th in the world.

Lets not forget Bill Walton is an idiot.

Lets not forget Bill Walton is an idiot.
:laugh: actual quote during the broadcast from Bill Walton

"and we can't say enough what a really really great human being Dwyane Wade is." :pound:

Lets not forget Bill Walton is an idiot.

This is also the same person who mercilessly butchers the English (or I guess Spanish) language by calling Carlos Arroyo's team "Porto Reecko".

that's how i pronounce it!!

that's how i pronounce it!!

I pronounce it (Pooh-where-toe Rrrrrrrrrr-eeek-a).

I don't like the selections. This team is young and athletic, but doesn't possess the one thing missing so badly on the last Dream Team. Outside shooters. Lots of guys with mid-range game and fellas who can finish in transition but where are the Michael Redds? Even the Kyle Korvers or Ben Gordons?

This team lacks size and shooting for athleticism. It should be interesting to see if the "new" NBA can compete.

i think redd, like chauncey and kobe, got a pass for this particular competition. i think he's getting married or some such. but he may yet be on the 15 man squad in the future.

Looks like Brazil gave the US all they could handle. Melo went down and the tide turned.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/basketball/cst-spt-usa09.html

I have friends telling me that the US should trump all, but I think they are looking strictly at names and star power. Disregarding that some of these Int'l squads are very well coached and prepared for what is a different game.

IMO, the US got past PR and China strictly on talent. Without the benefit of NBA referees, the tougher Int'l squads will provide very stiff challenges.

So far Wade and LeBran do not appear to be giving very much. I would be very interested if not getting calls had something to do with it. Perhaps they are not as agressive knowing the bail out whistle will not be there.

My impression is the no one is playing a lot of minutes which may explain some of the difference. Actually playing end to end defense may be causing them to take it a bit easier on the offensive end too.

I've looked some for box scores but they don't seem forthcoming so it's hard to tell what role each player has.

My impression is the no one is playing a lot of minutes which may explain some of the difference. Actually playing end to end defense may be causing them to take it a bit easier on the offensive end too.

I've looked some for box scores but they don't seem forthcoming so it's hard to tell what role each player has.

dba, Here is the complete schedule, with box scores and other info.:)

http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_training_schedule.html

Thx, numbers are good. :hail:

Looks like Joe Johnson's 27 minutes against Brazil is the current high across all games, with 20-25 the norm for three or four guys and everyone else playing less.

The Brazil game looks pretty ugly. Take away LBJ's 6 for 11 and the rest of the team shot 38%. Take away Hinrich's 8 for 8 from the line and everybody else managed 55%. And they got outrebounded 41 to 25, mostly by Varejao who pulled down 16. 21 turnovers is pretty ugly too. Course, they did pass through quite a few time zones not too long ago.

Clearly Brazil is a much better team than either Puerto Rico or China, but they're not the tops. This thing isn't anywhere near guaranteed.

Scanning some of the articles at ESPN,etc.. There seems to be a lot of talk of "Is the US still dominate" or "Is the Gap closing"

That gap closed a long time ago. Its almost gotten to the point of being dillusional. We did not win the Gold in the 04 Olympics, came in 3rd place instead and that was after scrambling in 03 to even make it after the 02 debacle.

US is still set on playing by their own set of rules. But now we have to play by theirs. Some of the best pure shooters are foreign and most of the large Centers are as well. That gap closed 4-6 years ago. Ever since Stockton/Molone and Jordan stepped off the international circuit.

We all talk about the lack of shooters in the NBA and the impact that has had on the team in the international game. Max's post reminds me of something I saw last week that listed the players by Olympics. The last team to dominate, in '96, carried Olajuwon, Robinson, and O'Neil at the 5 spot. The first team to struggle in 2000 (but still won) only carried one center - Mourning. The 2004 team only lists Duncan as a center (which of course he is not).

This year it is Stoudemire (now gone, and not a true center anyway), and Brad Miller. Talk about a major drop off in one position.

Maybe the downfall of the true center should be grist for some analysis.

Clearly Brazil is a much better team than either Puerto Rico or China, but they're not the tops. This thing isn't anywhere near guaranteed.

NBATV is showing a rerun of this USA-Brazil game tonight Friday (well actually Saturday in wee hours) 1:00-3:00 AM Eastern time. I know that's late, but not for us on Pacific time, it's 10 PM -12 AM. The games against Puerto Rico and China were such blowouts, I'm interested to see what happened against Brazil. I guess Anderson Varejo's game was real impressive. Maybe I was hasty to call him "a floppy haired bum" against us in the Cleveland series.:)

I've made a decision that hating Wade and LeBron to the bottom of my heart is not going to serve me for the next decade of being a basketball fan. :mad: I'm hoping the hate will be somewhat neutralized if I can learn to tolerate them by rooting for the USA team. :usa: But then I hate Mike Kzchwhatever too.:mad: So it's a tough discipline tuning in to watch this team.

The upside is getting to see some players I've never seen before: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh. Chris Paul is the real deal. And it is fun to watch LeBron not get calls, and Wade to even get offensive fouls against him!:laugh:

NBATV is showing a rerun of this USA-Brazil game tonight Friday (well actually Saturday in wee hours) 1:00-3:00 AM Eastern time. I know that's late, but not for us on Pacific time, it's 10 PM -12 AM. The games against Puerto Rico and China were such blowouts, I'm interested to see what happened against Brazil. I guess Anderson Varejo's game was real impressive. Maybe I was hasty to call him "a floppy haired bum" against us in the Cleveland series.:)

I've made a decision that hating Wade and LeBron to the bottom of my heart is not going to serve me for the next decade of being a basketball fan. :mad: I'm hoping the hate will be somewhat neutralized if I can learn to tolerate them by rooting for the USA team. :usa: But then I hate Mike Kzchwhatever too.:mad: So it's a tough discipline tuning in to watch this team.

The upside is getting to see some players I've never seen before: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh. Chris Paul is the real deal. And it is fun to watch LeBron not get calls, and Wade to even get offensive fouls against him!:laugh:

I know exacly what you mean. I have tried to like those 2 and almost liked Lebran at one point. Its tough to like them when they get all the calls. I am amazed how fans from other teams can like them as much as they do. Perhaps because most teams are not contenders.

Looks like Brazil gave the US all they could handle. Melo went down and the tide turned.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/basketball/cst-spt-usa09.html

I have friends telling me that the US should trump all, but I think they are looking strictly at names and star power. Disregarding that some of these Int'l squads are very well coached and prepared for what is a different game.

IMO, the US got past PR and China strictly on talent. Without the benefit of NBA referees, the tougher Int'l squads will provide very stiff challenges.

Been saying that all the time. Superstars in the NBA always have the refs to bail them out.

Penalties like palming the ball, travelling, etc. are not call in the NBA. NBA players get so used to this that when such calls are made, they will have a hard time adjusting.

And it is fun to watch LeBron not get calls, and Wade to even get offensive fouls against him!:laugh:

I was watching the rerun of U.S. vs. Brazil game. It's the 4th quarter at a really critical point in the game -- U.S. and Brazil are trading baskets for the slim lead. LeBron puts up a major airball from dead center 3 pt line. Even better, he follows it up on the next U.S. possession by getting called for traveling on his drive to the basket (you know what drive I'm talking about, it's his signature 3 long step move). The play by play guy calls it the "NBA consecutive step hop." Hilarious! :pound:

USA v. Lithuania exhibition game starts in half an hour. I hope to witness more of these displays of basketball prowess from LeBron/Wade.

P.S. Anderson Varejao is a good player, versatile, passes well and can play all over the court not just under the basket. The Cavs are definitely underusing that guy. He was impressive.

aurora is loving NBATV! :D

The Cavs are being very careful with how they negotiate with Drew Gooden, I believe due to the fact that Varajeo is viewed as the future starter at PF for the Cadavers.

I tried NBA tv hoping for a free period. Nope. Subscriptions only.

ESPN has the usual garbage, HS baseball and whatnot. Too bad they did not spring for some pre-tourney games.

I tried NBA tv hoping for a free period. Nope. Subscriptions only.

Max, call your cable company. With Comcast where I am, I get NBATV as part of a sports package they add to my cable channels for only $4.99 per month. It's NBA League Pass that's the expensive one during the NBA season where you can get all the out of your local area games.

I think you can probably get NBATV right away and be watching the international games. You may have to have digital cable instead of just basic, so it may depend on your present cable or dish service. Call!

There is a whole thread I started on NBATV and NBA League Pass with subscriber input on here when I was trying to decide to get it. Here's the link.

http://www.pistonsforum.com/nba-stuff/3421-nba-tv-nba-league-pass.html

Aurora - thanks again. I had responded in the other thread.

1st game against PR will be on ESPN2. If you have NBA tv then you will have access to about 3X as many games, even ones for other teams.

U.S. vs. Lithuania, played in Korea

The Korean fans are LeBron crazy. Every time he even touches the ball you can hear the buzz in the arena. After his 2 huge dunks, the whole arena was on its feet "witnessing." :P But what are these Korean fans going to do on Tuesday when James Gang USA goes up against their own national Korean team in exhibition play? Judging by the Lithuania game, it could be real ugly for Korea. Especially because the Coach Duke is telling these guys to play every possession hard no matter how far ahead the team is.

The play by play guys kept raving about the US defense. But it looked to me like even though Lithuania was held to so low points, they did score with perimeter passes into the paint. The interior defense was suspect in the second half. Also I hate to say it, but the team seems somewhat jumpshot happy. :ohwell: I'm sure that won't come as a surprise to anyone.

Game Story, Box Score, and Quotes from USA Coach and Team
http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_training_schedule.html