<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Press Release - Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson was honored Sunday as one of 23 players who were named to the historic 2006-2008 USA Men?s Senior National Team program, which was announced by USA Basketball Men?s Senior National Team program Managing Director Jerry Colangelo. ?This is the first standing USA Men?s Senior National Team and the 23 players selected will give us everything we need to form a great USA team,? said Colangelo. ?We feel we have versatility, shooters, size, quickness, role players, and defensive stoppers. In making the players selections we took into consideration the style of play anticipated to be used by the coaching staff. ?The first major competition we are selecting a team for is the 2006 FIBA World Championship. This is an important competition and we are taking this competition as seriously as we take the Olympics.? Johnson, whose team-high 19.8 scoring average ranks 24th among the league?s best in that category, also tops his team in assists (6.5 apg) and steals (1.29 spg), while shooting 45.8 percent from the field, 35.3 from three-point range and 78.9 from the foul line. He ranks 14th in assists, 24th in steals and 11th in minutes played at 39.6 mpg. In 2004-05, Johnson (then with Phoenix) was one of only 11 NBA players to average more than 16 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. ?I am truly appreciative of the opportunity to test my skills as a member of the USA National Team,? said Johnson, whose previous prior USA Basketball experience includes 2000 U21 World Championship Qualifier (injured and did not play in any games), and the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit (four games), ?and I look to represent my team and family to the best of my abilities. To have the chance to compete on an international stage is something I?m looking forward to, and I thank Jerry Colangelo and the USA Basketball committee for giving me an opportunity to help our country compete towards the ultimate goal ? and that?s a gold medal winning performance in 2008.?</div>Source
I think they are getting the rite players for the USA team. They got about 8 players that can score. and they got role players. Such as Bowen Battier.. EtcJohnson is a very skilled player. Who can score if they need him to pass rebound and defend. Nice pick up.
A perfect play to put on the team. Joe Johnson is a great shooter from outside and exactly what the US needs against these zone defenses in International play.
He never shot well from three except for that one season with the Suns where he had plently of wide open three pointers. 01 - 29% 02 - 36% 03 - 30% 05 - 35%
He wasn't good until the 2nd half of the season before Nash. He's a very good player now and I think he is a very good shooter. He would be good for the national team. With that team he'll actually have players around him to help him and give him some easier shots. He can defend, rebound(for his size) and pass pretty well.I think Colangelo is getting a good group together. I think it's smart that AI and Shaq aren't going. They'll both be too old by then. It's smarter to get the young up and coming stars like Paul and Bosh.
I don't really think this team is going to be that great, I still think we will get beat because if you look at the roster it's not all that different then the last one. Thank god Larry Brown isn't coaching. I for one could care less about Olympics basketball, just my two cents.
I love team USA basketball, after seeing the dream team back in 92 i think it was. It's exciting to see these players representing our country, and playing the other countries. Now that the other teams are starting to catch up to us, it's even more exciting to watch.I think Joe Johnson is a solid pick if he makes the squad. He will be able to shoot more open jumpers with this team, he will hustle, play defense, do everything that is needed. Hopefully the team will play smarter ball this year, and work as a team.
Getting rid of Marbury would definitely help that USA team. lol. Joe Johnson would fit perfectly on that team with his great outside shooting and defense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Mar 5 2006, 07:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He never shot well from three except for that one season with the Suns where he had plently of wide open three pointers. 01 - 29% 02 - 36% 03 - 30% 05 - 35%</div>35-36% is not that bad. He still is a good shooter.
