Starters
------------------
PG - Paul
SG - Kobe
SF - Lebron
PF - Griffin
C - Howard

Bench
-------------------
Wade
Anthony
Aldridge
Chandler
Durant
Love
Rose

There's my predicted cut to 12 with starters/bench. Thoughts?

That would be my roster. But you're on crack if you think Kevin Durant isn't starting.

Actually, I could probably take out Griffin or Aldridge for a third point guard. Probably Westbrook.

Who is Durant going to start over?

Not sure if you're being serious, but whatever. Griffin.

Griffin. I could see them playing 'small ball'.

Not sure if dominated is a strong enough word, but that's what Durant did during the Worlds two summers ago. He or Melo may be our best international players.

I like Chandler there for the defense, but I think it would be hard not to put Deron Williams on that team. I might swap them, but that's it.

I also don't think Griffin is a lock.

Changing my mind again. Definitely Deron Williams over Westbrook.

So move Griffin out and slide Lebron to 4?

It doesn't really matter. If you go by height, Durant would be '4'. But neither he or LeBron will be in the post.

PG - Chris Paul
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Kevin Durant
PF - LeBron James
C - Dwight Howard


That should be set in stone barring any injuries or personal issues.

quote:

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PG - Chris Paul
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Kevin Durant
PF - LeBron James
C - Dwight Howard

---

That would be mine. And that's plenty big enough for the international game.

I also think a healthy Steph Curry would be a great add, maybe even in place of one of the bigs. It's always good to have one pure shooter.

Only 12 from this list can be picked, so no Curry.

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/2012MOLYroster.html

I could see Bosh getting picked over Aldridge just by his familiarity with Wade and Bron.

What HNIC said, although an argument could be made for Rose over Paul.. What will be interesting to see is if any 3P sharpshooters or defensive specialists.

[This message has been edited by HotardAg07 (edited 2/16/2012 11:50a).]

that's a sick starting 5

not really surprising, but will be entertaining to watch

You know the competition is just going to try and make them outside shooters. They need to create turnovers to do well.

I forget, is zone defense allowed in the international game?

Yep.

You want to give Durant, Kobe and LeBron open looks from outside?

Good luck.

I'd rather have them launching threes than getting easy buckets at point blank and getting to the free throw line.

There are some other countries that could have some very interesting rosters as well. If France, Spain, and Argentina bring all their stars, we could have 4 teams with all NBA starters. Should be a good tournament!

For the 2010 FIBA World Championships, the majority of the 2008 team members declined participation, but the U.S. still had a decent team. It will be interesting to see if playing in 2010 helps any borderline player stay on the roster.
Also, some on that 2012 roster could be free agents and decline participation.

They went guard friendly:



Chauncey BILLUPS
Kevin DURANT
Derrick ROSE
Russell WESTBROOK
Rudy GAY
Andre IGUODALA
Danny GRANGER
Stephen CURRY
Eric GORDON
Kevin Wesley LOVE
Lamar Joseph ODOM
Tyson Cleotis CHANDLER


From that list: Durant, Billups, Rose, and Odom played the most minutes while Granger, Chandler, Love, and Curry played the fewest.

Updated list, injuries noted, and the addition of Anthony Davis and Harden.



LaMarcus Aldridge (hip)
Carmelo Anthony
Chauncey Billups (achilles)
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Anthony Davis
Kevin Durant
Rudy Gay
Eric Gordon
Blake Griffin
James Harden
Dwight Howard (back)
Andre Iguodala
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Lamar Odom (brain)
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose (knee)
Dwyane Wade
Russell Westbrook
Deron Williams


[This message has been edited by Iowaggie (edited 5/7/2012 10:05a).]

quote:

---

Lamar Odom (brain)

---

I don't like Griffin on this kind of team.

Actually, I don't really like Griffin that much on any kind of team, but especially here.

Why no love for Griffin?

I'll admit he's a little overrated, but he's still one of the most talented SF/PF currently playing the game.

I don't think anyone would argue with his talent. But he's still very raw in a lot of parts of his game, especially defensively.

No defense, mediocre rebounder (18th in rebounds per minute as a strong and athletic post on a team without much post depth), no post game, no jump shot, and a bad attitude.

He's got a ton of athletic ability and did put up a 20-10 season, but in terms of his skillset I'm not that high on him.

EDIT: from the perspective of an NBA gm, his game is predicated on his athleticism but at the same time puts him at a high risk for injury.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 5/7/2012 3:22p).]

Is it safe yet to rule out D.Wade on the Olympic team?
Should benefit Eric Gordon, if healthy and if signed on new deal.

Wade officially pulled out.

Will Howard be able to play with all his back issues?