Team USA Basketball Discussion

[Junior]

USA Basketball

Featuring Olympic gold medalist Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks) and four 2004 Olympians, USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo today announced the 12-players who will represent the United States in the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China. The player selections were approved by the USA Basketball Executive Committee, and will be nominated to the United States Olympic Committee to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games. Named to the 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team were: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kidd; Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). Duke University Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski is head coach of the USA Senior Team program.Serving as assistant coaches are Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan. “This has been, to say the least, an extremely difficult selection process.The 33 players who committed to be part of the USA Senior National Team program and have been involved in our various training camps and competitions the past two summers deserve recognition and acknowledgment for their contributions and for their commitment to their country,” said Colangelo. “Whatever I say will not fully describe just how difficult this selection process has been.We knew it would be difficult when we began the building of the Senior National Team program.It has become obvious that it would be in the best interest of the team, the players and coaches, to select the 12 players prior to our June 28-29 mini-camp so we could begin the process of gelling and getting the team’s focus set. “The 12 players selected have incredible talent, and more importantly, we think this team has excellent leadership; great versatility and balance; and very good chemistry which are critical parts in building a great team.I believe this team is a team all Americans can and will be proud of,” added Colangelo. "I’m excited about the players who comprise this team.The selections were very difficult and something we’ve been working toward since we initially got the Senior National Team together in the 2006 summer.Unfortunately we are limited to a roster of 12 players and we had incredible commitment for the 33 players in our Senior Team program,” said Krzyzewski, who has directed the team the part two summers. “Our team has excellent athleticism and great versatility.We have players who are experienced in the international game thanks to the last two summers’ training and competitions.I feel really good where we are, we have the foundation in but we have a lot work ahead.” “The past two summers’ experiences will definitely help our team. As we have learned, the international teams we will face in Beijing are also extremely talented and they play very well as a team.Our Senior National Team program has helped us achieve confidence, continuity and excellent chemistry too. This summer’s Olympics are going to be an unbelievable competition,” stated Krzyzewski. Of the 12 selected players, six were part of the 2006 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team, and eight were part of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship that qualified the U.S. for the 2008 Olympics.Three players - Anthony, Howard and James, were members of both teams. Players on the 2006 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team were: Anthony; Bosh; Howard; James; Paul; and Wade.Members of last summer’s FIBA Americas Championship squad were: Anthony; Bryant; Howard; James; Kidd; Prince; Redd; and Williams. Kidd, at 35 years old, will be the veteran leader of the USA team.A member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team that finished 8-0 and captured the gold medal in Sydney, Australia, Kidd has played on eight USA Basketball teams and boasts of a perfect 44-0 record at senior level competitions. Kidd, along with 2004 Olympians Anthony, Boozer, James and Wade, will look to add their names to an elite USA group of multiple-time Olympians which currently consists of 13 men (David Robinson-1988, 1992 and 1996; Charles Barkley-1992, 1996; Patrick Ewing-1984, 1992; Burdette Haldorson-1956, 1960; William Hougland-1952, 1956; Michael Jordan-1984, 1992; Robert Kurland-1948, 1952; Karl Malone-1996, 1992; Chris Mullin-1984, 1992; Gary Payton-1996, 2000; Scottie Pippen-1992, 1996; Mitch Richmond-1988, 1996; and John Stockton-1992, 1996. The average age of the 12 players named to the 2008 U.S. team by the end of the ‘08 Olympics will be 26.08 years old.The USA team at the FIBA Americas Championship averaged 26.00, the USA team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship averaged 24.50 years of age, while the USA team at the 2004 Olympics averaged 23.60 years of age. 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team Training Plans USA Basketball’s Senior National Team will open its training June 28 in Las Vegas, Nev., when the 12 selected players participate in a mini-training camp at Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV. The USA Team will resume its training in Las Vegas on July 21 and will train daily July 21-24.The Americans will cap the Las Vegas portion of its training on July 25 (5 p.m. Las Vegas local time) with the 2008 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge. The USAwill meet the Canadian National Team in the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge that will be held at Thomas & Mack Center. The United States will then train and play four additional games in the USA Basketball International Challenge that will see the USA play two games in Macao, China, and two more games in Shanghai, China. The USA in the Macao portion of the USA Basketball International Challenge, will face Turkey on July 31 (8 p.m. Macao local time) and Lithuania on Aug. 1 (8 p.m. Macao local time). The games will be held at the Cotai Strip Cotai Arena (11,572 capacity) at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in Macau, China. Moving to Shanghai, the Americans will conclude the USA Basketball International Challenge with tests versus 2007 EuroBasket champion Russia on Aug. 3 (3 p.m. Shanghai local time) and 2007 Oceania champion Australia on Aug. 5 (8 p.m. Shanghai local time). Both games will be held at the Qizhong Arena (13,708 capacity) in Shanghai. The U.S.is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Aug. 6, and preliminary round play of the 2008 Olympics takes place Aug. 10-18. The U.S., which was placed in preliminary Group B, opens preliminary play Aug. 10 against host China at 10:15 p.m. (all times listed are Beijing local times which is 12 hours ahead of EDT); then play Africa zone championAngola on Aug. 12 at 8:00 p.m.; on Aug. 14 at 8:00 p.m. the USA will face Qualifier C who will be determined through the July 14-20 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament; 2006 FIBA World Champion Spain on Aug. 16 at 10:15 p.m.; and the USA will close out preliminary play Aug. 18 at 8:00 p.m. against Qualifier B who will be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The men's Olympic quarterfinals action takes place Aug. 20, semifinals play is slated for Aug. 22, and the Olympic men’s gold and bronze medal games will be held Aug. 24. USABasketball Men’s Senior National Team Program Following a disappointing 5-3 finish and bronze medal showing at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, USA Basketball in 2005 set off in a totally new direction with its men’s senior national team.Setting aside the old committee system used for selecting its senior teams, USA Basketball’s Executive Committee selected respected former Phoenix Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo to serve in the then newly created position of Managing Director of the USA Men’s Senior National Team Program for 2005-2008. Building a program that eventually consisted of 33 of this country’s premiere players, and the very best coaches and support staff, USA Basketball proceeded to create a true USA Senior National Team program. Players named to the USA Basketball’s Men’s Senior National Team include: Anthony; Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Bosh; Boozer (Utah Jazz); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Bryant; Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Nick Collison (Seattle SuperSonics); Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Howard; Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Kidd; James; Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Shawn Marion (Miami Heat); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats); Greg Oden (Portland Trail Blazers); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Paul; Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics); Prince; Redd; J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Luke Ridnour (Seattle SuperSonics); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); Wade; and Williams. Through international competitions in 2006 (FIBA World Championship) and 2007 (FIBA Americas Championship), and an exhibition tour by the Senior National Team in 2006, the USA Senior National Team has logged a combined overall record of 23-1. Members of the Senior National Team program were together 42 days in 2006 (including the FIBA World Championship), and in 2007 the team was together for 24 days (including the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship). In 2007, the USA Senior National Team rumbled over its opposition at the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas, Nev., and finished 10-0 to win gold and capture one of the FIBA Americas zone's two qualifying berths for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In winning its 10 games in just 12 days, the USA averaged 116.7 ppg., the most by a USA Senior National Team since the 1994 USA World Championship Team scored 120.1 ppg.; and the USA defeated its 10 opponents by an average of 39.5 ppg., the largest margin by a senior squad since the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team defeated its opponents by 43.8 ppg. The USA team led the FIBA Americas Championship team statistical rankings in 13 of 17 categories.An astounding 61.7 percent of the team's made field goals were assisted on. Members of the gold medalist 2007 USA FIBA Americas Championship Team were: Anthony; Billups; Bryant; Chandler; Howard; James; Kidd; Mike Miller; Prince; Redd; Stoudemire; and Williams. Statistically, there were plenty of impressive individual stat lines. Anthony led the team's potent scoring attack averaging 21.2 ppg., James posted 18.1 ppg., Bryant added 15.3 ppg., Redd averaged 14.4 ppg., while Stoudemire and Howard posted 11.1 ppg. and 10.0 ppg., respectively. The 2006 FIBA World Championship, expanded to 24 teams, proved to be the most competitive and exciting ever. Spainemerged as the World Champion after defeating Argentinain the semifinals (75-74), then Greece (70-47) in the gold medal game.The U.S., after falling to Greece101-95 in the other semifinal game, rebounded to claim the bronze medal by beating 2004 Olympic champ Argentina 96-81. Finishing with an 8-1 overall record, as a team, the U.S. finished ranked among the top leading teams in almost every offensive statistical category at the 2006 World Championship. The USA finished ranked first in scoring offense (103.6), first in field goal percentage (.503), first in assists (18.78), first in free throws made (182), first in assist-turnover ratio (1.74), second in scoring margin (+20.4), third in rebounding margin (+5.6), fourth in offensive rebounding (13.11), fifth in 3-pointers made (82) and seventh in 3-point shooting (.369). On the defensive statistical side, the U.S. also ranked first in steals (10.78), second in turnover margin (+7.44) and second in blocked shots (4.89). Anthony led the team in scoring averaging 19.9 ppg., while Wade added 19.3 ppg., andJames contributed 13.9 ppg.Paul led the U.S. in assists handing out 4.9 apg., James and Howard paced the USA effort on the glass snatching 4.8 rpg. and 4.7 rpg., respectively. Opening training in 2006 on July 19 in Las Vegas, a team of 14 finalists went 5-0 in its pre-World Championship tour. Selected for the 2006 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team were: Anthony; Battier; Bosh; Brand; Hinrich; Howard; James; Jamison; Johnson; Brad Miller; Paul; and Wade.

The Team:
Carmelo Anthony
Carlos Boozer
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Dwight Howard
LeBron James
Jason Kidd
Chris Paul
Tayshaun Prince
Michael Redd
Dwyane Wade
Deron Williams

Interesting that they decided to go with only three true bigs, but I don't see any reason that this team doesn't win gold.

[Mays24Bonds25]

I guess Kidd and Paul will split time at point, Kobe and Lebron and Carmelo will share time at SG and SF positions, Bosh and Howard at the starting front court with Boozer backing them up...the rest will probably be garbage time players

[Junior]

Other than expierence, Kidd brings very little to the table that both Paul and Deron don't,

[Mays24Bonds25]

Originally Posted by Junior Other than expierence, Kidd brings very little to the table that both Paul and Deron don't,

On a team with with Carmelo, Lebron, Kobe, Wade, etc., someone like Kidd is more valuable than Paul and a lot more valuable than Williams...His style is exactly what you want on that team, and there's still nobody better at that style
On this team, it doesn't matter what kind of scorer your point guard is, but how well he can do all the other things as well as running the offense, and if you take away scoring ability, is there a better point guard than Kidd?...and being the best rebounder in the NBA among all non-frontcourt players (other than Lebron) is a huge asset to a team with only three frontcourt players

[Ramp]

imo Deron and Paul are better, quicker, etc

[Mays24Bonds25]

Originally Posted by Ramp imo Deron and Paul are better, quicker, etc

there's no doubt that Paul is better than Kidd (i'd still take Kidd over Williams), and on a regular team you'd be stupid to take Kidd over him, but on a team of superstars like this Kidd is more valuable

[Juanky]

Only three true big guys, but a few guys who aren't afraid of posting up.

Not sure why they need three PGs though. I guess having Kidd is never a bad thing, but Paul will have the starting spot in 2012 without an issue.

[Hugg]

Every one seems to be making a big deal out of only 3 big guys, but this isn't the NBA, it's the international game. They only need 3.

I usually don't really care much about this, but with Bosh and Redd on the team, I'll probably watch. Them and Spain for Calderon.

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by Hugg Every one seems to be making a big deal out of only 3 big guys, but this isn't the NBA, it's the international game. They only need 3. I usually don't really care much about this, but with Bosh and Redd on the team, I'll probably watch. Them and Spain for Calderon.

This is true. I also see Melo / Lebron getting time at the PF position as well.

[JJ]

LeBron is strong enough to play the 4 with pretty much anyone that he is going to be facing.

Kidd is almost like the spiritual leader/captain of the team. Some people will dismiss captains, chemistry, etc. as pointless but in basketball I think its a really big deal especially in an Olympic setting.

I'd be stunned if Kidd plays more than either Paul or Williams.

I care quite a bit about this and will be watching all the games.



This guy leading them back to gold would be pretty damn huge and one of if not the biggest achievements of his career.

[JJ]

If you missed the ESPN series, Team USA: Road to Redemption, you can catch it here:

JD2K Lakers Video Highlights 2008 USA Basketball Team - Road To Redemption Episode 1 (48min)

I think this is episode one of a series.

It was surprisingly very very good especially if you are interested in the team.

[FishFanInPA]

YouTube - Yao and LeBron Unity Coca-Cola

YouTube - Yao and LeBron Unity Coca-Cola

[JJ]

Greece, which stunned the United States two years ago, will join the Americans at the Olympics in a strong Group B, which now includes all three medalists from the last world championships. Germany also was drawn into Group B after clinching the last available spot in Beijing by beating Puerto Rico 96-82 Sunday behind 32 points from Dallas Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki in the third-place game at the Olympic qualifying tournament. Greece locked up its spot Saturday by beating Puerto Rico in the semifinals. The Greeks knocked off the Americans 101-95 in the semifinals of the 2006 world championships before losing to Spain in the finals. The United States and Spain, which had already qualified for Beijing, were previously drawn into Group B along with host China and Angola. The Americans sent scouts to watch the 12-team tournament in Athens, but already figured on the teams they will have to get through to advance out of pool play. "It's going to be the same cast of characters," assistant coach Mike D'Antoni said Saturday in Las Vegas, where the Americans will begin practicing Monday. "It's going to be Greece and Spain. We more or less know the teams that are going to be there." Croatia earned the other spot from the Athens tournament and was drawn into Group A, which includes defending champion Argentina, Lithuania, Russia, Australia and Iran. The Olympic tournament begins on Aug. 10, with the Americans facing the Chinese in the final game of the night.

ESPN - Greece, Germany in Americans' Olympic basketball group - Olympic Basketball

I can't wait.

[JJ]

As Team USA's practice ended, LeBron James reclined on a table with trainers tending to his sprained right ankle. A horde of television cameramen surrounded James and the trainers before team officials shooed them away. The Americans described the injury as minor. It occurred Tuesday when James landed on Kevin Durant's foot during a closed scrimmage between Team USA and a select squad of young NBA players at Valley High School. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said he would know more on Wednesday, after James has had a chance to rest. "He thinks it's a mild sprain," Krzyzewski said. "Our trainers think it's a mild sprain. So we'll find out tomorrow. But I don't think it's anything serious. Obviously, we'll look and see what happens tomorrow."

ESPN - LeBron leaves Team USA practice after landing on Durant's foot - Olympic Basketball

*sigh*