Here's the official list ... source Carmelo Anthony, Denver Gilbert Arenas, Washington Shane Battier, Memphis Chauncey Billups, Detroit Chris Bosh, Toronto Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Dwight Howard, Orlando Josh Howard, Dallas LeBron James, Cleveland Antawn Jamison, Washington Joe Johnson, Atlanta Rashard Lewis, Seattle Shawn Marion, Phoenix Brad Miller, Sacramento Chris Paul, NO/Okla. City Paul Pierce, Boston Michael Redd, Milwaukee Luke Ridnour, Seattle Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami They will trim this down to 12 players, who do you think makes it and what would your starting 5 be?
Hmm My 12 Chauncy Billups Chris Paul Kobe Bryant Dwayne Wade Carmelo Anthoney LeBron James Elton Brand Chris Bosh Dwight Howard Shawn Marion Brad Miller Paul Pierce <u>Starting Five</u> (Really depends on who they are playing) Chauncy Billups or Chris Paul Kobe Bryant LeBron James Elton Brand Brad Miller
Well they're obviously going with a younger line up as you don't see Shaq, KG, Duncan, AI, those superstars in the line up because of their age. However, how can they not invite AI or Duncan back? I think I remember Duncan saying he does not want to go back in 2008. But why not AI? He was obviously the only one that committed to the 2004 one and pretty much the leader.
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Gilbert Arenas, Washington Shane Battier, Memphis Chauncey Billups, Detroit Chris Bosh, Toronto Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Dwight Howard, Orlando Josh Howard, Dallas LeBron James, Cleveland Antawn Jamison, Washington Joe Johnson, Atlanta Rashard Lewis, Seattle Shawn Marion, Phoenix Brad Miller, Sacramento Chris Paul, NO/Okla. City Paul Pierce, Boston Michael Redd, Milwaukee Luke Ridnour, Seattle Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami My 12 players are in bold. As far as the starting lineup, I guess it depends. however, if we were going to send out a regular roster for most games, I would send as follows...... PG- Chauncey Billups SG- Kobe Bryant SF- LeBron James PF- Chris Bosh C- Amare Stoudamire I chose players like Howard and Bosh over Brand due to size. Although Brand plays bigger, he seemed out matched last time he went to the Olympics, as did Ben Wallace. We need to send height and athleticism. Howard's rebounding and shot blocking, and Amare's physical domination will be too much to overcome. As will Chris Bosh, who gets better every year. Marion is a no brainer. He will lock down and rebound and we dont have to run anything for him to score. Wade and Carmelo coming off the bench provide serious offense, and Bowen and Miller give the team defense with that little bit of hardass and grit the team is going to need. Aswell as a little bit of selflessness. Chris Paul is simply a better backup point guard than Gil, we already have enough offense and Paul wouldnt care if he had 0 points and 12 assists. Gil would wanna shine. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Well they're obviously going with a younger line up as you don't see Shaq, KG, Duncan, AI, those superstars in the line up because of their age. </div> All those players turned down an invitaion. Shaq hasnt said yet, however he does have an open invitaion. But KG, Duncan, Ray Allen, Ben Wallace, even Rip Hamilton (who the hell he thinks he is I dont know) turned USA down. Not inviting AI, or even offering, was a damn sin. He is, and wants to, become the ambassador of our counrty and the NBA, and the League is simply denying him the opportunity. Michael Redd was supposed to be on the list, but he's getting married this summer, and Chauncy's wife is due, so he might not be there anyway too.
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Gilbert Arenas, Washington Shane Battier, Memphis Chauncey Billups, Detroit Chris Bosh, Toronto Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Dwight Howard, Orlando Josh Howard, Dallas LeBron James, Cleveland Antawn Jamison, Washington Joe Johnson, Atlanta Rashard Lewis, Seattle Shawn Marion, Phoenix Brad Miller, Sacramento Chris Paul, NO/Okla. City Paul Pierce, Boston Michael Redd, Milwaukee Luke Ridnour, Seattle Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami Chauncey Billups/Chris Paul Kobe Bryant/ Dwyane Wade/ Michael Redd Shawn Marion/ Lebron James/ Shane Battier Amare Stoudemire (depending on his health)/ Chris Bosh Brad Miller/Dwight Howard
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Chauncey Billups, Detroit Chris Bosh, Toronto Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Dwight Howard, Orlando LeBron James, Cleveland Shawn Marion, Phoenix Brad Miller, Sacramento Chris Paul, NO/Okla. City Paul Pierce, Boston Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami
My top 12 would be... <u>Guards</u> Chauncey Billups (leadership, big shot extraordinaire) Gilbert Arenas (ton of scoring, dangerous from the perimeter) Kobe Bryant (does a bit of everything, if he can be a team guy, he'll be the star of stars) Dwyane Wade (emerging as a Kobe type with better attitude) Michael Redd (dangerous from the wings, blends in well with bigger ego guys) Chris Paul (tons and tons of energy, spark plug, emerging star) <u>Forwards</u> LeBron James (he and Kobe will be the stars) Elton Brand (dependable, workmanlike, everything 2004's team wasn't) Shane Battier (great chemistry guy, tough D, will do anything for the team) Dwight Howard (he will give the team depth at 4 and 5, and will be a beast on the glass) <u>Center</u> Amare Stoudamire (terrific athlete at the 5, can pass out of the double team) Brad Miller (solid post scorer, another great passer against international styles) My starters would be... PG Chauncey Billups SG Kobe Bryant SF Shane Battier PF Elton Brand C Amare Stoudamire I'm really glad that Mike Redd made the short list; we needed some perimeter shooting last Olympics, and he is all about perimeter shooting My only gripe is that we lack a top defensive center. Now, that won't cripple us because most other countries lack a dominant post presence, but I would have liked to see a guy like Big Ben or Marcus Camby instead of Brad Miller, to be honest. Marion was the toughest guy to leave off.
Guards Chauncey Billups Kobe Bryant Chris Paul Dwayne Wade Mike Redd Forwards Chris Bosh Dwight Howard LeBron James Shawn Marion Paul Pierce Centers Brad Miller Amare Stoudemire
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Esco416:</div><div class="quote_post">My starting 5: steve nash Kobe bryant Lebron james Shawn Marion Yao ming sub-wade, paul pierce</div> Steve Nash is Canadian and Yao Ming is Chinese, neither are on the team.
Wow, a lot of the players on there are guys I wanted them to consider: Brand, D.Howard, Battier, Paul, Arenas, Redd, B.Miller, Bosh, Billups, Joe Johnson, Wade, and Rashard Lewis. Didn't think Jamison would get an invite though. If I had to pick 12: PG: Chauncey Billups | Chris Paul SG: Kobe Bryant | Dwyane Wade | Joe Johnson/Michael Redd SF: Lebron James | Shawn Marion | Shane Battier PF: Elton Brand | Chris Bosh C: Amare Stoudemire | Brad Miller I don't want to leave out Dwight Howard, but I don't know if his game would work as well in the international scene.
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Gilbert Arenas, Washington Shane Battier, Memphis Chauncey Billups, Detroit Chris Bosh, Toronto Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Dwight Howard, Orlando Josh Howard, Dallas LeBron James, Cleveland Antawn Jamison, Washington Joe Johnson, Atlanta Rashard Lewis, Seattle Shawn Marion, Phoenix Brad Miller, Sacramento Chris Paul, NO/Okla. City Paul Pierce, Boston Michael Redd, Milwaukee Luke Ridnour, Seattle Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami Lineup: PG- Chauncey Billups/Gilbert Arenas/Chris Paul SG- Kobe Bryant/Michael Redd SF- Lebron James/Shawn Marion/Shane Battier PF- Dwight Howard/Chris Bosh C- Amare Stoudemire/Brad Miller
PG: Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups SG: Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Michael Redd SF: LeBron James, Shawn Marion, Josh Howard PF: Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh C: Amare Staudemire, Brad Miller I would have Chauncey Billups as the starter at point guard, but his overrated 'big shot' ability bugs the heck out of me. He's clutch, sure, but there's no such thing... I wanted Shane Battier to be on the squad, but I'd take Josh Howard over him. Battier is a great American basketball player who is true to everything he believes in, but I think Howard resembles everything we look for in our USA squad--hustle. Also, keep an eye out for Seattle's Luke Ridnour.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Battier is a great American basketball player who is true to everything he believes in, but I think Howard resembles everything we look for in our USA squad--hustle</div> I'd argue that Shane Battier is more of a hustle player than Howard. He's also a better defender, and a better outside shooter.
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Gilbert Arenas, Washington Shane Battier, Memphis Chauncey Billups, Detroit Chris Bosh, Toronto Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Dwight Howard, Orlando Josh Howard, Dallas LeBron James, Cleveland Antawn Jamison, Washington Joe Johnson, Atlanta Rashard Lewis, Seattle Shawn Marion, Phoenix Brad Miller, Sacramento Chris Paul, NO/Okla. City Paul Pierce, Boston Michael Redd, Milwaukee Luke Ridnour, Seattle Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami C- Dwight Howard F- Elton Brand F-Carmelo Anthony G-Kobe Bryant G- Chris Paul I really think starting Melo over LeBron would be a better move. Melo has eveolved into a somewhat good defender while LeBron is poor. LeBron is a much better offensive player, but with Kobe and Brand that starting line-up gives us a very powerful 1-2 punch. I'm really disapoiinted Tm Duncan chose not to go.
On what premises, og15? Josh Howard: 57% of team's minutes (33.8) / 16.0 PPG / 6.1 RPG Shane Battier: 72% of team's minutes (35.7 MPG) / 10.7 PPG / 5.3 RPG I only see one thing that proves that Battier is a more statistically valuable defender: Battier: 45.4% ON Court eFG% Allowed / <font face="verdana"><font size="-1"><font size="-1"> 50.4% OFF Howard: </font></font></font>47.8% ON Court eFG% Allowed / <font face="verdana"><font size="-1"><font size="-1">46.2% OFF Still, it's not enough to prove that either deserves to be on the team more. I have no proof; you have no proof. You can't persuade me to believe that Battier is the better defender, just as I can't convince you that Howard is faster and has more hustle (aside from age, which hasn't been proven to be directly linked). </font></font></font>
PG: Chauncey Billups/Chris Paul SG: Kobe Bryant/Dwyane Wade SF: LeBron James/Shawn Marion/Carmelo Anthony PF: Elton Brand/Amare Stoudamire/Chris Bosh C: Dwight Howard/Brad Miller
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Still, it's not enough to prove that either deserves to be on the team more. I have no proof; you have no proof. You can't persuade me to believe that Battier is the better defender, just as I can't convince you that Howard is faster and has more hustle (aside from age, which hasn't been proven to be directly linked).</div> Well actually I do believe Howard is faster, more athletic, and a more versatile player. I never said Battier was a better scorer or rebounder, but I know he's a better defender, a better shooter, and he hustles as much as the next guy, so Howard can hustle as much, but I can't say he hustles more.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I know he's a better defender, a better shooter, and he hustles as much as the next guy, so Howard can hustle as much, but I can't say he hustles more.</div> I hate to be a stickler about this, really, I do. But how do you know he's the sure-fire best out of these two in those two categories without anything to back it up?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bravest:</div><div class="quote_post">I hate to be a stickler about this, really, I do. But how do you know he's the sure-fire best out of these two in those two categories without anything to back it up?</div> Defender can be arguable, shooter is not really. Howard is not really a shooter, he can hit open shots, but he's best as a slasher. Battier is a career 38% 3PT shooter, and shooting 39.8% 3PT. Josh Howard is a career 32.6% 3PT shooter, and shooting 42.9% this year, but has only taken 49 three's in 46 games, barely over 1 three a game, and about 2.5 times less than Battier Battier is a career 74% FT shooter, Howard is a career 72% FT shooter. Battier is shooting a career low 69% this season, and his high is 83%. Howard's low is 70%, and his high is 73%. In terms of outside shooting, and really shooting in general, Battier is better. In terms of defense, as posted before, Battier has a better impact on defense, and he also has a slightly better defensive PER. Either way both guys are good defenders.
