USA Olympic Basketball

oregontrack · Post by **oregontrack** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:23 pm

i LOVE olympic basketball. though i refuse to call it the dream team anymore -- c'mon, that was a one-time thing -- i get surprisingly into it every four years. i even watched every second of it in '04, our infamous bronze medal team. it's the one time, every four years, i can even cheer for kobe bryant.

this year's team:

chris paul/deron williams/russell westbrook
kobe bryant/james harden
lebron james/carmelo anthony/andre iguodala
kevin durant/blake griffin
tyson chandler/kevin love

obviously there's so much versatility in this group a depth chart is never really going to be accurate. the lack of big men is even offset by the fact lebron and carmelo could probably be as devastating at the 4 as anywhere.

should be a fun couple weeks.

Post by **greenyellow** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:30 pm

This is probably one of the most athletic, versatile teams they've put together. I really think that basically anyone who's over 6'8" is going to play center at some time since the international game and the team's talent allows it.

gogreen55 · Post by **gogreen55** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:46 pm

It is unfortunate Chris Bosh can't play this time. He was a real key to the '08 team and basically the perfect center for international style of play. Bosh would have been a much more important piece for this team than Dwight Howard would have been, for example. Regardless, I am sure this team will survive somehow.

Post by **greenyellow** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:56 pm

gogreen55 wrote:It is unfortunate Chris Bosh can't play this time. He was a real key to the '08 team and basically the perfect center for international style of play. Bosh would have been a much more important piece for this team than Dwight Howard would have been, for example. Regardless, I am sure this team will survive somehow.

Love and Chandler work just fine since Love can step outside to hit 3s and Chandler is a great defensive player. Griffin is kind of like Howard, in that he's somewhat limited range-wise, but has a toughness and athleticism down low that many opponents can't match.

RanDux · Post by **RanDux** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 6:46 pm

Would like to see them have 1 or 2 more in the 4 and 5 spots, but I'll trust that the coaches know what they are doing. Any reason why LA isn't on the team?

Post by **greenyellow** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:17 pm

RanDux wrote:Would like to see them have 1 or 2 more in the 4 and 5 spots, but I'll trust that the coaches know what they are doing. Any reason why LA isn't on the team?

He had some minor hip surgery and then some type of blood infection that forced him out.

uodux1212 · Post by **uodux1212** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:29 pm

I saw the original dream team play at the tournament of the America's is Portland that summer.

So. Cool.

lukeyrid13 · Post by **lukeyrid13** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 11:00 pm

RanDux wrote:Would like to see them have 1 or 2 more in the 4 and 5 spots, but I'll trust that the coaches know what they are doing. Any reason why LA isn't on the team?

I think he'd have very likely made the team if not for surgery.

frogsnouts · Post by **frogsnouts** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:12 am

It's amazing that we can be so dominant in this sport. Even with Bosh/Dwade/Howard/LMA/Rose out we are still the heavy heavy favorites.

Post by **greenyellow** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:56 pm

Blake Griffin injured his knee today at practice and is likely to be out for quite some time. They've had to recall Anthony Davis to fill out the roster even though he's not 100% with his sprained ankle. This team would have absolutely dominated had they not had so many injuries, but they still have enough firepower (hopefully) to win the gold.

OreDucks01284 · Post by **OreDucks01284** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:44 pm

whats wrong with having amare? he was part of 2007 team for fibia america championship?

Post by **greenyellow** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 3:50 pm

OreDucks01284 wrote:whats wrong with having amare? he was part of 2007 team for fibia america championship?

I think that USA Basketball already submitted the players who'd be part of of the team to IOC so they have to use only people on that list. The only other players on that list are Eric Gordon and Rudy Gay, both of who aren't natural post players, which leaves only Davis.

OreDucks01284 · Post by **OreDucks01284** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:50 pm

ah i see, not enough bigs but alot of talents on 2012 team

Post by **UOducksTK1** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:05 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMO-z4O1D54
highlights from the game last night. I can't wait to get started.