Team USA Closing in on Adding Rondo, Prince, Green, Curry, Evans

[est.1999]

I feel like he's just gonna tire himself out while not really enhancing the weaknesses in his game. And I'm scared he's gonna come into camp winded without the jumpshot that he needs and we wanna see.

 

[FakeInjury]

The only drawback to Int'l play is going to be a little wear and tear and I mean "a little". It isn't the NBA and he is going to play "differently", while still being the same Tyreke. Lebron could have scored 60 points and won the gold by himself, in stead, Lebrons roll on TEAMUSA was to play defense and destroy the others teams' confidence. I think Tyreke's role will have a similar feel. He will be asked to defend the best perimeter player, and destroy that player's confidence. Tyreke will be a better player at the end of this process, and he will probably be able to shoot more jumpers in real game situations without worrying too much because his team will already be up 29 points. He gets to put up shots in real games, and his Int'l status will help the kings sell jerseys and we will probably get +1 more nationally televised games b/c Evans is a superstud. Dude is 20, he wont be winded, Worlds will be a cake walk for Evans, he will probably average 14 10 and 9.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

Not looking good for those who wish for Tyreke not to play for team USA in Turkey

Team USA may lean on younger players

“I’m predicting that we would have a lot of young guys,” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said. “But we have a very deep roster. We will see who shows up. There will be a number of them who might not play because of free agency and personal issues. There could be five or six from the Olympic team that won’t be there. We’re prepared for that.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-teamusa053010

 

[Widowmaker2k]

With Wade not showing up, it's looking more and more like Tyreke will be in this thing. This is bad for the Kings I think, he needs to add that jump shot, the sooner, the better. The thing is, I'm not sure his game is even all that suited to international ball, especially considering he won't be the #1 option. He's not really an off the ball player.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67159/20100612/wade_will_skip_world_championships/

 

[Sac.1989]

very true, hes not an international mold player, cant shoot and his offensive set is hardly the go in fiba

 

[VF21]

With Wade not showing up, it's looking more and more like Tyreke will be in this thing. This is bad for the Kings I think, he needs to add that jump shot, the sooner, the better. The thing is, I'm not sure his game is even all that suited to international ball, especially considering he won't be the #1 option. He's not really an off the ball player.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67159/20100612/wade_will_skip_world_championships/

I don't agree that this will be a bad thing for the Kings.

Tyreke is young; getting international exposure via TEAM USA will, I think, only serve to improve his game as he's playing with (and against) some of the best and brightest of his generation.

This is an honor for a young player and I'm really proud of him. I think he's already shown that he can learn from every single opportunity...

 

[Chupacabra]

I feel like he's just gonna tire himself out while not really enhancing the weaknesses in his game. And I'm scared he's gonna come into camp winded without the jumpshot that he needs and we wanna see.

You can stop worrying. Lebron did the exact same thing in 2004 and his jumpshot was significantly better in his sophmore year. It can be done. Its been done before. Im not worried.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

I don't agree that this will be a bad thing for the Kings.

Tyreke is young; getting international exposure via TEAM USA will, I think, only serve to improve his game as he's playing with (and against) some of the best and brightest of his generation.

This is an honor for a young player and I'm really proud of him. I think he's already shown that he can learn from every single opportunity...

Well, I can definitely meet you half way there. I agree, it will be a good experience for him, and definitely help him mature mentally as a basketball player. I also agree that it's great exposure for him and the Kings. I'm just concerned that he needs lots of time and repetition filling in the holes in his game, is all.

 

[Sparky6string]

Check the new team USA threads. Think I'm gonna get me a Tyreke Evans USA jersey.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...t=Ak2lMHRx1zFKaqRzap8GePLYrYZ4?urn=nba,247857

 

[Showtime]

I certainly hope that is NOT for this summer -- screw the honor -- this is a summer that needs Reke's full attention and work, not going out and farting around as a benchwarmer on Team USA.

In the future? Sure. He'll be one of the U.S.A.'s elite players and absolutely deserve the honor. But he's got more important things to accomplish this offseason.

You don't think playing with quality guys on that team will help him develop just as much, if not more? Think about it. The guy will be playing with top competition in a great environment to learn and mature. Other players from the last team said how great it was for them and their games to have that experience. I think it would be great for Evans to be there.

 

[Bricklayer]

You don't think playing with quality guys on that team will help him develop just as much, if not more? Think about it. The guy will be playing with top competition in a great environment to learn and mature. Other players from the last team said how great it was for them and their games to have that experience. I think it would be great for Evans to be there.

No I don't.

Tyreke is already BETTER than many of the "best guys", and almost certainly better than just about anybody he's going to run into playing for a different NT. This is a B.S. thing, and one of the reasons people routinely fall short of their goals in life. Want the dessert before putting in the hard work behind the scenes. Not the way it works. That guy who just kicked your *** on the court, or blew away the curve in your calculus class probably didn't do it having fun, picking up honors, or hanging out with friends. He did it working out long after everybody else was gone, chewing through homework late into the night, and flat outworking your ***. Tyreke's main weaknesses aren't experience (whihc you get 10x of starting 82 games in the NBA rather than playuing 15-20 min a night in some crap exhibition in the offseasion against guys not good enough to make the NBA under non-NBA rules) or playing with second rate All Stars (given that few of the megas are showing) against 3rd rate non All-Stars. His weaknesses are pure skill related. When guys get serious, like Kobe serious, they shut out the world for the summer, don't give a bleep about NTs or honors or homies or you or me or anything but fixing their games. Rocky does not interrupt his training montage to go off and fight an exhibition fight. If he does, Mr. T kicks his *** next time they meet in the ring.

 

[Jaylee209]

Look at it this way; If you were Tyreke and his family, and the NBA gives you an invitation to play for your country, that would be a huge honor. How can you deny them?

Also, he's only 21 years old! He'll have plenty of time to work on his flaws! Let the kid enjoy his time playing with other great players and for something to be proud of, sheesh!

 

[Bricklayer]

Look at it this way; If you were Tyreke and his family, and the NBA gives you an invitation to play for your country, that would be a huge honor. How can you deny them?

Also, he's only 21 years old! He'll have plenty of time to work on his flaws! Let the kid enjoy his time playing with other great players and for something to be proud of, sheesh!

No, actually these are the absolute prime years for working on your flaws. These are the growth years. By the time a player is 25, he is generally who he is. Now is when you get great, if you are going to do it.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Sun Tzu


And yes, I recognize the temptation the kid will be under to accept it. Like the temptation of speeding, temptation isn't always a good thing. The ultimate sign of his greatness/detemrination to be great would actually be a refusal. A complete focus on the end prize, and a complete confidence that he will be invited back every single year for the next dozen and can go whenever he wants. I doubt that's the way it plays out. That's asking tremendous focus for one so young, and delayed gratification for Team Tyreke. I was a big time honor chaser at that age too. Racked up every award, title, trophy, honorific, degree and anything else I could as a manner of keeping score. But it muddled my focus. Suspect this will play out the same way. Doesn't mean its wise or beneficial compared to the original summer plan.

 

[T4L3NT3D530]

well i dont think playing with some of the best argument doesnt really come into play here. because lets face it, if tyreke makes the team most of the best guys arent going to be there. i think it would be a great experience if those guys were there. however, if they arent he just needs to work on that jumper. if he gets a jumper, he will be playing in the olympics.

 

[mac]

well i dont think playing with some of the best argument doesnt really come into play here. because lets face it, if tyreke makes the team most of the best guys arent going to be there. i think it would be a great experience if those guys were there. however, if they arent he just needs to work on that jumper. if he gets a jumper, he will be playing in the olympics.

The issue here isn't whether or not being with star players will be a good experience. The problem is that Tyreke will have endless years to spend with these top players in the future, but right now while he is still young he should first focus on improving his hard skills to help the team win and solidify his superstar status in the league.

Superstar Tyreke is going to have to have a good jumpshot together with his driving ability as his calling card - once he gets that then he should build on other things around his offensive dominance to make his team better. It's just like once Kobe got shooting down coupled with his speed, he worked on his post game to become more effective posting up and stuff. He couldn't jump to the posting up without first working on his shooting, or he'd be Ron Artest.

The way I see it, how a player 'builds' around his core skillset will affect his style of play and eventually lead to certain habits on the court. That's where age comes into play - the earlier you work on getting that skill set the easier it is to unlearn bad habits and learn good ones based around your strengths.

Team USA will still be waiting for Tyreke in future years.

 

[gvucko]

No I don't.

Tyreke is already BETTER than many of the "best guys", and almost certainly better than just about anybody he's going to run into playing for a different NT. This is a B.S. thing, and one of the reasons people routinely fall short of their goals in life. Want the dessert before putting in the hard work behind the scenes. Not the way it works. That guy who just kicked your *** on the court, or blew away the curve in your calculus class probably didn't do it having fun, picking up honors, or hanging out with friends. He did it working out long after everybody else was gone, chewing through homework late into the night, and flat outworking your ***. Tyreke's main weaknesses aren't experience (whihc you get 10x of starting 82 games in the NBA rather than playuing 15-20 min a night in some crap exhibition in the offseasion against guys not good enough to make the NBA under non-NBA rules) or playing with second rate All Stars (given that few of the megas are showing) against 3rd rate non All-Stars. His weaknesses are pure skill related. When guys get serious, like Kobe serious, they shut out the world for the summer, don't give a bleep about NTs or honors or homies or you or me or anything but fixing their games. Rocky does not interrupt his training montage to go off and fight an exhibition fight. If he does, Mr. T kicks his *** next time they meet in the ring.

I respectfully disagree. Reke has nothing but an upside learning experience from national team.

Firstly, it is not always playing ball with the big dogs. Winners are not the ones who beat the best teams and players. Winners are the ones who can close the games with lesser talent (see 2010 Fakers vs. 96-98 Bulls). As USA NT has always had an upper hand talent wise, this is a great way of learning how to close games that you must win. Games against weaker but highly motivated opponents.

Secondly, he will learn to trust his teammates and realize that one on five basketball brings you nothing but occasional top play on nba.com.

And lastly, saying that playing with NT prohibits him from working on his weak side of the game is just silly. Drazen Petrovic never spent a day without extra 1000 shots before and again after the game. All day, every day. If Reke is committed to better his game, he will do it regardless of the NT.

Just my 5 cents.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

No, actually these are the absolute prime years for working on your flaws. These are the growth years. By the time a player is 25, he is generally who he is. Now is when you get great, if you are going to do it.

Reke's primary flaw is a inconsistant (but mostly just bad) jumpshot. If Jason Kidd can develop a reliable outside jumpshot in his mid 30s, there's always time for that. Not particularly convenient for the Kings, but the international exposure might outweigh that.

 

[mac]

Reke's primary flaw is a inconsistant (but mostly just bad) jumpshot. If Jason Kidd can develop a reliable outside jumpshot in his mid 30s, there's always time for that. Not particularly convenient for the Kings, but the international exposure might outweigh that.

Ah but that's where you're not entirely correct. Jason Kidd developed a decent set 3 point shot - it allowed him to basically hit wide open shots when he got the ball on a pass or at times in transition. You would never see Jason Kidd pull up and shoot well consistently.

If Tyreke wants to be a true superstar he needs to be able to shoot off the dribble, and not just hit wide open shots standing still