OT: Dream Team 2012

[Rice Cube]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-08/2012-dream-team-revealed/4117060?section=sport

US Olympic team: Carmelo Anthony (Knicks), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Tyson Chandler (Knicks), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Blake Griffin (Clippers), James Harden (Thunder), Andre Iguodala (76ers), LeBron James (Heat), Kevin Love (Timberwolves), Chris Paul (Clippers), Russell Westbrook (Thunder) and Deron Williams (Nets).

Oooh, aaah.

 

[Rice Cube]

If I'm not mistaken that makes Chandler the only true center, with Griffin and Love as the PF/C subs if that's how they choose to do it.

 

[Uman85]

Good team, but Anthony Davis should be there instead of Iguodala. Other than that, it's a solid roster.

 

[Rice Cube]

Good team, but Anthony Davis should be there instead of Iguodala. Other than that, it's a solid roster.

I think Davis tweaked an ankle.

 

[Uman85]

I think Davis tweaked an ankle.

He did, but still gave it a go and participated the last few days. I've heard the injury is why he wasn't selected. I think he would've been 100% before the first game, but Coach K didn't want to risk it I guess.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Having only 1 shot-blocking/altering presence at the rim (Tyson Chandler) is not a good idea. Chris Bosh could have at least done that marginally so he will be missed.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

i think we'll see a little of lebron and/or durant at PF

for the purposes of low post defense and blocking, i think davis could have gotten in

iguodala brings his own pedigree of defense and versatility though(good defender and playmaker, not the best scorer, but he really influences the game in every way imaginable)(you could argue with lebron,westbrook, and a few others that the perimeter D might not be the problem though, especially against teams like spain which are stronger in the post)

it's a tough call

 

[clonetrooper264]

KLove will be playing a lot of C. So will Blake. The what they want to do is just use all their perimeter guys to their advantage. They obviously have a ton of ball handlers and shot creators and will look to use pure athleticism and defensive pressure on the perimeter to create offense in transition. In the open court, they'll be unstoppable. They have a ton of defensive stoppers on the perimeter and a lot of length overall despite not having a real shot blocker other than Chandler. Lebron is a great weak side defender. So is Durant. But really they're gonna hope to be pests on the perimeter and generate steals instead of blocks.


They also have a ton of perimeter versatility obviously with all the guys they have. They could theoretically run a lineup of Lebron, Iggy, Melo, Durant, and Kobe. That lineup can switch everything on the perimeter and score all over the court. Against a team like Spain is where the US will probably run into more issues because of the Gasol brothers. But really, I think they'll be fine.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

KLove will be playing a lot of C. So will Blake. The what they want to do is just use all their perimeter guys to their advantage. They obviously have a ton of ball handlers and shot creators and will look to use pure athleticism and defensive pressure on the perimeter to create offense in transition. In the open court, they'll be unstoppable. They have a ton of defensive stoppers on the perimeter and a lot of length overall despite not having a real shot blocker other than Chandler. Lebron is a great weak side defender. So is Durant. But really they're gonna hope to be pests on the perimeter and generate steals instead of blocks.


They also have a ton of perimeter versatility obviously with all the guys they have. They could theoretically run a lineup of Lebron, Iggy, Melo, Durant, and Kobe. That lineup can switch everything on the perimeter and score all over the court. Against a team like Spain is where the US will probably run into more issues because of the Gasol brothers. But really, I think they'll be fine.

i don't think anyone is going to say that the USA team will be in trouble in any stretch of the imagination without another shot blocker/good post defender

but i think other than chandler, the team lacks a little there(chandler as an anchor might be enough, but this is international play, so he won't be playing 30+ minutes or anything close)

i think the advantage for the US is the versatility, the scoring, rebounding,etc.

i think it is a tough pick between iguodala and davis based on fitting into the team

 

[clonetrooper264]

i don't think anyone is going to say that the USA team will be in trouble in any stretch of the imagination without another shot blocker/good post defender

but i think other than chandler, the team lacks a little there(chandler as an anchor might be enough, but this is international play, so he won't be playing 30+ minutes or anything close)

i think the advantage for the US is the versatility, the scoring, rebounding,etc.

i think it is a tough pick between iguodala and davis based on fitting into the team

I think defensively they're gonna be fine regardless. They still have great rebounding even if they don't have a lot of shot blockers. That's really all they need to do...just force misses and let Love, Lebron, et al grab boards and they're out on the break.