Decent breakdown if they go BPA, but I don't think Drummond makes it. He's got way too many deficiencies to get legit mins right now (bad touch, kinda looks lost, bad FT shooter, etc). I'd predict this: PG: Rose, Irving PG-SG: Curry, Dame SG-SF: Harden, Thompson SF-PF: KD, Parsons PF-C: Davis, Cousins Extras: Korver, Faried So very close to your prediction.
Claver not exactly setting the world on fire playing for Spain... Looking at that boxscore, if it's any indication, the Spaniards are just pounding the ball inside relentlessly. Apart from the Gasols and Ibaka they also have Felipe Reyes, who is a dependable Scola-type scorer, and pretty burly. I wonder if that's going to affect who Team USA keeps on the roster? (I also love that the Canadians have a player called Scrubb. I bet he never hears the end of it...)
They have no choice but to play small ball now. Anthony Davis at Center, one of the small forwards, like Chandler Parson playing the 4, and 3 guards. They should be fine. Coach K prefers that anyhow. And really, will it be much of a problem against any team but Spain?
Wow! Yeah, Spain has to be genuinely confident at this point. I wonder if that'll put a dent in Durant's squeaky-clean image. That's almost worse than not showing up to begin with. And dropping out AFTER they lose Paul George, when the team needs him most?
I wonder if this means they'll keep one more of the three-headed white SF monster than they otherwise would've? And if that will affect Lillard's chances...
Forgot about Cousins. I thought he was cut already. Bummer is I think this might increase the chance that Lillard gets cut, if the team asks Paul Millsap to come back on the team so they have more size, and/or they keep one of the on-the-bubble small forwards instead, so the overall team isn't too small. Can you imagine if Mason Plumlee makes the team and Lillard gets cut. That would suck.
I think Spain and France are every bit as good as the USA team now. George and Durant both gone in a week. Is it too late to bring back Millsap?
Much as I'd like that to be true, it almost certainly isn't. Spain is closer on talent, but should lag behind, but they have much more experience playing as a team. France really only has two NBA talents, three if Gobert is for real. If Parker and Noah were playing, then things would be different...
I knew Parker wasn't playing, but didn't know it about Noah. Yeah, that makes a huge difference. Cancel France in my earlier opinion.
On the plus side for Lillard, the coaches should be a bit more hesitant to cut him now that Durant is out. Look at the roster they have left. Who would you draw up a last shot for that you trust more than Lillard? There is nobody that is an MVP caliber guy that is the obvious call (ie. a Durant). There is nobody that is a solid star, that has proven time and again they will take and make big shots in big games. Instead there are options who have a mixed record with big shots - James Harden, and guys who have made a few big ones, Steph Curry, Rose, Lillard. The team is not cutting Rose or Curry. So if they decide to carry 3 point guards, Lillard has to beat out Kyrie Irving.
