Team USA White vs Blue (Cousins)

[Spike]

Many of the moves involved in strength training (cleans, for example) trigger whole-body explosiveness, which easily translates to the NBA in general, and post play specifically. Things get easier on the inside with more strength. Didn't many mention Cousins's lack of ability to finish inside? That can be a strength issue.
Power moves will also help with conditioning as it pertains to the stop/start game as well.

 

[Bricklayer]

Do we have any idea what bigs that aren't here today are expected to compete for a roster spot? I heard someone mention Howard and Love.

Yeah that's just speculation. Obviously the guys who went last time could decided to come back, or not. They weren't wildly effective though, and Love flat out sucked. So who knows what happens even if they all wanted back.

 

[Mojo]

Do we have any idea what bigs that aren't here today are expected to compete for a roster spot? I heard someone mention Howard and Love.

Love will continue to play, along with Durant.

LAS VEGAS -- Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Minnesota Timberwolves center Kevin Love say Wednesday they will be returning to play for Team USA.

The two NBA stars were on hand for the national team's minicamp practice, and made the announcement in an impromptu news conference alongside team managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketb...kevin-durant-kevin-love-keep-playing-team-usa

 

[Spike]

Heh. That just came on screen.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Dammit Cousins needs to be playing more......

nobody on these teams has a chance of guarding him

 

[Spike]

Davis is good in transition, but I don't really see them working the ball inside.

 

[Spike]

This is getting sloppy.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Cousins is better than any other big man here and has the best shot to make the real USA squad next to Anthony Davis (only because he was already on the team last year, he is not better than big Cuz) so why is he barely playing?

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Cousins is better than any other big man here and has the best shot to make the real USA squad next to Anthony Davis (only because he was already on the team last year, he is not better than big Cuz) so why is he barely playing?

maybe they are testing him too see how he reacts to not playing alot??

 

[Kingsfan23]

Maybe as Spike suggested it is the weights that are needed, but Cuz still looks lethargic on rotations in running the floor etc..

 

[spudfan]

Maybe as Spike suggested it is the weights that are needed, but Cuz still looks lethargic on rotations in running the floor etc..

Just looks tired and disinterested to me. As Isiah said, he was the first one in the gym today getting shots up.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

he's definitely given up a lot of baskets with his help defense leaving his man open

 

[HereWeBoogie]

he has had a few assists robbed by fouls

 

[dmj]

Cousins is better than any other big man here and has the best shot to make the real USA squad next to Anthony Davis (only because he was already on the team last year, he is not better than big Cuz) so why is he barely playing?

I don't know. I would say Davis is better than him right now, and he and Monroe are pretty close in terms of talent. Cousins hasn't been giving a lot if effort tonight and I'm wondering if maybe he is injured to some extent .

 

[spudfan]

he's definitely given up a lot of baskets with his help defense leaving his man open

Yea, that's the system they are playing in. More smaller players, so when a switch happens the bigs have an easy look.

 

[spudfan]

I don't know. I would say Davis is better than him right now, and he and Monroe are pretty close in terms of talent. Cousins hasn't been giving a lot if effort tonight and I'm wondering if maybe he is injured to some extent .

I don't think Davis is close to Cousins as an individual player in the talent level. As a player in the system of USA Basketball I think Davis is most definitely the better fit.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

I don't know. I would say Davis is better than him right now, and he and Monroe are pretty close in terms of talent. Cousins hasn't been giving a lot if effort tonight and I'm wondering if maybe he is injured to some extent .

i definitely say no to that.

yea i think he might be injured or tired, i saw grabbing at his back right before he came out

 

[Sac.Kings]

Well I'm not surprised he was pulled. Played pretty poor defense and very minimal effort. Not quite what I was hoping to see.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

I don't think Davis is close to Cousins as an individual player in the talent level. As a player in the system of USA Basketball I think Davis is most definitely the better fit.

well said

 

[Spike]

The blue team really hasn't worked the ball inside. They've settled for jumpers too often.

 

[Spike]

I don't think Davis is close to Cousins as an individual player in the talent level. As a player in the system of USA Basketball I think Davis is most definitely the better fit.

Generally I agree, but I have concerns against better teams like Spain, who have the Gasol brothers. USA basketball seems to be more guard driven.

 

[Spike]

Well I'm not surprised he was pulled. Played pretty poor defense and very minimal effort. Not quite what I was hoping to see.

Yet Lillard is still on the floor after launching a few from 40.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

yea eveyone on the Blue team has just been chucking perimeter shots.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Yet Lillard is still on the floor after launching a few from 40.

thinking the exact same thing

 

[spudfan]

The blue team really hasn't worked the ball inside. They've settled for jumpers too often.

Yep! That's the style they want to play which doesn't really fit with Cousins skill set. The problem is when we play vs a team like Spain and need big guys. Right now they have Kevin Love committed, who should fill the need of a post player who can rebound and knock down some shots and go against those kind of bigs. He was lousy last year though, so it's possible Cousins could be added to the team as the backup player of that type.

The other bigs in Davis/Jordan/Chandler/Drummond fit the other mold of player they use more often when they don't need a big guy who can hold his own.

Then you have Monroe, who might fit either group which leads me to believe Colangelo will probably pick him over Cousins for a spot on the team.

 

[gunks]

Big Cuz playing like crap? Ugh...

 

[Kingsfan23]

Between this showing and McLemore's showing for the most part, I would like more confidence heading into the season in two of my top prospects

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Big Cuz playing like crap? Ugh...

i would say it was more of he wasn't a part of the gameplan

 

[gunks]

Between this showing and McLemore's showing for the most part, I would like more confidence heading into the season in two of my top prospects

They must want to play with Wiggins?

 

[Kingsfan23]

i would say it was more of he wasn't a part of the gameplan

Actually it may be a response to his bravado in the media by the coaches.. If they are trying to instill a sense of team, who knows?