Team USA WC 15-man roster... (merged)

No, you were not. That article is two days older than the article I posted. Which is the latest on Hinrich.

So, as it stands - ESPN/Real GM haven't reported Hinrich being out of the FIBA World Championship this summer.
 
Gotta stick up for Hinrich...

on eof the refs had a meeting with the players telling them to watch out for ****syness in the olympics, and we have a great team this year, not just hinrich, who by the way reports are saying hes injured and will be cut

so i was kinda right, it says his injured hamstring might keep him out, but im pretty sure they're not gonna boot someone whose healthy to keep an injured hinrich...maybe it isnt so serious though and they need his quasi-leadership, and role-playing abilities. i saw it on hoopshype.com as well but i cant find the article.

With Wizards star Gilbert Arenas sidelined because of a groin strain, Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich is all but guaranteed to be on the official U.S. roster for the FIBA World Championships, which begin Saturday in Japan.

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?id=216811

So, what about Hinrich getting cut again? ;)

Even without that blurb or Arenas not being cut, just like before, I'd fully expect Hinrich to stay on. As would many others. He's been consistently good all WBC.
 
listening to the espn vid, the three up for cutting consideration are bowen, battier, and jamison. personally, i think it should be jamison; he duplicates what all the big scorers already do.
 
I agree on it should be Jamison. I don't dislike the guy, but having two different team-players and defenders like Bowen and Battier on the team would be nice. Jamison's a good offensive player and rebounder, but I wouldn't choose him out of the three.
 
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I'd keep Jamison. I really like his rebounding and shooting. Bowen's been almost useless anyway, the refs don't want to let him play his defense(hacking/grabbing).
 
I'd keep Jamison. I really like his rebounding and shooting. Bowen's been almost useless anyway, the refs don't want to let him play his defense(hacking/grabbing).


I agree, BMiller. Bowen's style of defense will not be near as effective (allowed) in the International game. As long as Jamison can pull down some boards, as well as hit his shots, I'd rather have him on the team. Since Arenas is gone (offense), Bowen won't give you much offense to make up for that loss. Jamison will.
 
that's true, although i already think the team is loaded with enough offense.

is there a reason why bowen was invited to go for the team as opposed to someone like tayshaun prince?
 
that's true, although i already think the team is loaded with enough offense.

is there a reason why bowen was invited to go for the team as opposed to someone like tayshaun prince?


You never have too much firepower from the wing, IMHO, especially if opponents are doing a good job of shutting down the post in a half court game. Also, Jamison is a far better rebounder. Actually, considering Bowen's style of defense and what will be allowed in the International game, I was quite surprised to see Bowen invited in the first place.
 
maybe bowen was the locker room presence/vet type of guy. including bowen (although not through the exhibition), the wing offense includes joe johnson, hinrich, d-wade, jamison, and battier, and then the next crop of shooters in james, melo, and brad. that's a lot of shooting from the outside.
 
that's true, although i already think the team is loaded with enough offense.

is there a reason why bowen was invited to go for the team as opposed to someone like tayshaun prince?

Prince I'm not sure was talked to by Colangelo. Also have to consider he probably wanted to rest during the summer.

Bowen himself, was invited because of his defense and team-play. Also a possible match-up with Manu Ginobili.

Watching the Spurs with some regularity over the last couple seasons, Bowen's defense isn't just the "hacking" or whatever, which I know what is meant by that or similar. Also having Duncan behind him helps. But, aside from that, he does have legit quickness, length, and concentration.
 
maybe bowen was the locker room presence/vet type of guy. including bowen (although not through the exhibition), the wing offense includes joe johnson, hinrich, d-wade, jamison, and battier, and then the next crop of shooters in james, melo, and brad. that's a lot of shooting from the outside.

If you remember, the last US team seriously lacked outside shooting, which became a problem. I do agree with everyone's assessment that Bowen seems extraneous, especially given the fact that Coach K is getting everyone to play some defense, which goes a long way. We'll see what happens though, once they start playing some serious competition.
 
i'm kind of disappointed with the roster, even if bowen stays. it's not diverse enough. there is no post presense, no defensive c/pf, and the best pg is pretty inexperienced (although definitely good).
 
Elton Brand is a legit offensive post-presence. Dwight Howard isn't quite proven offensively yet in the post, but defensively he's pretty good. Both are great shotblockers and rebounders. Brand's post defense I honestly haven't thought about much or payed attention to a whole lot.

Bosh is thinner, but he hasn't really been used in the post all that much so far, mainly shooting jumpers. From what I've seen this past season, he's capable and consistent offensively in the post. He's a good rebounder and shotblocker also.

Also have to remember impact is a lot lesser in a situation like this because of minutes, the way the coaches want to do things, and the depth of the team. It's not like the NBA where guys like Bosh/Howard/Brand play 30-35+ minutes and are #1/top options on their teams. Not the case at all here.

There are no Ben Wallace's, Camby's, Rasheed's, KG's, Duncan's, Kurt Thomas', Shaq's, etc. Because they either said no to joining, are older now, or weren't even asked. Which reason or reasons go to the obvious, or that you know is why.

That's just the way it was with this USAB program. Part of it being development of the USAB program, as you notice there are a lot of younger players in the program, mixed with more experienced guys and veterans. As all 20+ players involved with the program are going to be available for use. Guys like Hinrich/Paul/Howard/Bosh/possibly Amare/LeBron/Melo/Wade, etc. are ultimately what the team is going to be built around. Of course you can pick out the main guys from the group.

Bring on the pools of nations for the USA. I think USA has a very good chance to win the WC.
 
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Poor Gilbert. I am NOT a fan of his (I think he is just another Francis/Marburry), but he played hard and well. Too bad he was 'injured'. He deserved to go on, and he played with his heart. Something I never expected out of him.
 
I think USA has a very good chance to win the WC.

But that is the problem, when the USA team was a lock to win the WC and it was just a matter of by how many points. Now though the nba is bringing all the players here and it is supposed to be the best, because stern runs it as a business the players here dont have any real basketball skills and the athletic skills that they have are portrayed as basketball skills.

The game is very simple, put the ball in the hole and the longer you get it in from the more points you get (kinda). If our players cannot put the ball in from anywhere outside of 15 feet consistently then there is something fundamentally wrong. Bron and Wade might be all fun to watch on tv and stern wants to showcase them year after year in the playoffs but they get exposed in real basketball with refs not controlled by stern.

Rules are similar with respect to zone defense and if bron can score 30 ppg in that kind of a tough league why is he having trouble now.
 
But that is the problem, when the USA team was a lock to win the WC and it was just a matter of by how many points. Now though the nba is bringing all the players here and it is supposed to be the best, because stern runs it as a business the players here dont have any real basketball skills and the athletic skills that they have are portrayed as basketball skills.

The game is very simple, put the ball in the hole and the longer you get it in from the more points you get (kinda). If our players cannot put the ball in from anywhere outside of 15 feet consistently then there is something fundamentally wrong. Bron and Wade might be all fun to watch on tv and stern wants to showcase them year after year in the playoffs but they get exposed in real basketball with refs not controlled by stern.

Rules are similar with respect to zone defense and if bron can score 30 ppg in that kind of a tough league why is he having trouble now.

amen to that!
 
But that is the problem, when the USA team was a lock to win the WC and it was just a matter of by how many points. Now though the nba is bringing all the players here and it is supposed to be the best, because stern runs it as a business the players here dont have any real basketball skills and the athletic skills that they have are portrayed as basketball skills.

The game is very simple, put the ball in the hole and the longer you get it in from the more points you get (kinda). If our players cannot put the ball in from anywhere outside of 15 feet consistently then there is something fundamentally wrong. Bron and Wade might be all fun to watch on tv and stern wants to showcase them year after year in the playoffs but they get exposed in real basketball with refs not controlled by stern.

Rules are similar with respect to zone defense and if bron can score 30 ppg in that kind of a tough league why is he having trouble now.

As I said, this USAB program is a different situation than the 1990s teams. Everyone should know that, if they don't they're ignorant. Aside from myself explaining it, it's what has been explained by various people involved with the sport.

Oh, I'm not saying it's a lock yet. Why? Because I haven't seen the team against better teams more than once. I'll judge then whether I think it's a lock or not.
 
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I'm really excited to see Dwight Howard play next season. The guy is a monster and will be better than Shaq's prime in a few years.
 
Bowen final cut..

ESPN - With only one more spot to clear before being ready to compete in the upcoming World Championships, Team USA has made its final cut of San Antonio Spurs ' defensive stalwart Bruce Bowen from the active roster of 12 for the Championships.

The offical roster is: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets ); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets ); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors ); Elton Brand ( Los Angeles Clippers ); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls ); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic ); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers ); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards ); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks ); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings ); Chris Paul (New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornets); and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat ).

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/wbc2006/news/story?id=2551774

Bowen's the final cut. Oh well, was a good possibility anyways.
 
I thought it was strange when he was one of the invitees. He's a good player, but he'll be 38 for the next Olympics. At that point, other players will be much better options.
 
I thought it was strange when he was one of the invitees. He's a good player, but he'll be 38 for the next Olympics. At that point, other players will be much better options.

Which is why he likely won't be used then. But had a chance for this years situation.
 
Glad to see that Shane F. Battier made the final cut; I still stand by the opinion that there aren't enough role players on that team.
 
Glad to see that Shane F. Battier made the final cut; I still stand by the opinion that there aren't enough role players on that team.

Agree. Too much ego on team USA for them to be truly a "team". When you have Melo, Lebron, Wade, and Johnson on a team, chemistry could be/become a problem. Also, who do you give the ball to in crunch time, all 4 want to have the ball in their hands. Battier is a good player and he would help any team. Does he remind anyone of Zidane (the legend from France who headbutted the Italian)?
 
Wade/LeBron/Johnson are unselfish players. Yes they go one-on-one sometimes, but it's been more the former than the latter from what I've seen. It simply reflects how they've played so far in the league.

I believe when who gets the last shot? was asked to Team USA in an article or interview, it came off as not being an issue. The coaches will decide that, of course, and from what has been said by players and coaches, in various interviews, they know it's a "team".

Based on what I've gathered, neither are really a concern.
 
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As I said, this USAB program is a different situation than the 1990s teams. Everyone should know that, if they don't they're ignorant. Aside from myself explaining it, it's what has been explained by various people involved with the sport.

Oh, I'm not saying it's a lock yet. Why? Because I haven't seen the team against better teams more than once. I'll judge then whether I think it's a lock or not.

Why is the USAB program different now than when it was in 1990s and just because someone doesnt agree to your view point that doesnt mean they are ignorant, it might end up with you being the ignorant party.

The team of the 1990s had people who could score, meaning they knew how to put the ball in the hole from a distance. As i explained earlier that is the game of basketball, put the ball in the little ring with a net tied below it, though the net really doesnt matter it is for visual purposes to ensure that the ball did go through that little ring.

What has changed from 1990 to now is not that the other countries are trying harder than the US to get better players, NBA has ruined the game here. Basketball is not even the number one sport in Argentina and they beat the US team where nba players are the highest paid compared to the other two major sports. Stern for the sake getting tv ratings up has changed the game for worse.
 
Why is the USAB program different now than when it was in 1990s and just because someone doesnt agree to your view point that doesnt mean they are ignorant, it might end up with you being the ignorant party.

The team of the 1990s had people who could score, meaning they knew how to put the ball in the hole from a distance. As i explained earlier that is the game of basketball, put the ball in the little ring with a net tied below it, though the net really doesnt matter it is for visual purposes to ensure that the ball did go through that little ring.

What has changed from 1990 to now is not that the other countries are trying harder than the US to get better players, NBA has ruined the game here. Basketball is not even the number one sport in Argentina and they beat the US team where nba players are the highest paid compared to the other two major sports. Stern for the sake getting tv ratings up has changed the game for worse.

I know the rest of the world has caught up.

Well, from what I've gathered, that's just how I view the Team USA program. We agree to disagree.
 
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