<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LAS VEGAS -- So much for Plan B. Team USA opened training camp Monday with 12 players in uniform instead of the 13 they had planned on after a toe injury kept top alternate Tyson Chandler from joining the team. USA Basketball officials refused to say that Chandler was completely out of the mix, but coach Mike Krzyzewski said a new backup plan will take shape over the next couple of days. Sheridan: Gearing Up As Team USA gears up for Beijing in Las Vegas, there are notable obstacles for the team in its attempts to improve on third-place finishes in international competitions, writes Chris Sheridan. Story "We just found out about it a couple days ago, so what we're going to do is look at the pool of [alternates] and let a couple people know that if something happens, you are probably going to be the guy -- but we haven't decided yet who those guys are going to be." The alternates for Team USA are Chandler, Shawn Marion, Mike Miller, Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups and Joe Johnson. After Team USA officials learned that Dwight Howard had suffered a hairline fracture of his sternum, they decided to invite Chandler to travel with Team USA to Asia for a series of pre-Olympic exhibition games. Now, the plan is to leave Las Vegas on Saturday with only the 12 players from the active roster: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Howard, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Tayshaun Prince and Dwyane Wade. Krzyzewski hinted that Durant, who is practicing against Team USA this week as part of the U.S. Select Team, could supplant Chandler as the No. 1 alternate. "What we could do is have Durant be a perimeter player, and LeBron be a big. The way we're playing, LeBron is a big," Krzyzewski said. Chandler has an inflamed big toe that he originally injured when San Antonio's Ime Udoka stepped on him during the New Orleans Hornets' playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs. "I had a good conversation with him, he really wanted to be here. We're going to keep him posted, see how he's doing with that, and if something happens he's still going to be a major consideration for us. He said he still wants to be considered, and hopefully this gets better," Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo said.</div> Link
It wouldn't be such a bad pick up. I mean, sure, Durant isn't exactly an astute defensive player...but he's a good shooter, and he's big. He should be able to get rebounds pretty well. However, Chandler would be a great loss.
Replace a big physical player with Olive Oil? If they have to replace Chandler, they should seek another big, they have plenty of guys that need the ball and a clear lane....
I think they've had their eye on Durant for a while now. The Olympic team should be as much about developing/grooming players to be successful on the international stage as it is about getting players who can lead the team to immediate success. I think the US Team has finally started to realize that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef @ Jul 23 2008, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Replace a big physical player with Olive Oil? If they have to replace Chandler, they should seek another big, they have plenty of guys that need the ball and a clear lane....</div> Yeah, thats a suprise to me as well. Even though Chandler was an alternate, having him provided extra security for Team USA in the warm up games heaven forbid an injury happen to Howard, Boozer or Bosh. I think they are making a mistake using Durant as the alternate, they definitely should have gone with someone that had some size. Perimeter offense is not going to be a problem with Wade, Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo, Redd, Paul, Williams, etc. The concern is with the front-court and will they be able to function with foul trouble or an injury. Interesting move for sure, I can't say I completely agree with it.
I'd rather have a front-court player. If they care so much about grooming players then let Duran tag along in practice for now, I don't want to risk upsetting the depth of our roster.
