USA Basketball Discussion *2008 Summer Olympic team*

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-20-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

U.S. basketball roster for Olympics to be released next week

Associated Press

Updated: June 17, 2008, 3:30 PM ET

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DURHAM, N.C. -- Calling it "the toughest decision" facing USA Basketball since it began using professional players, U.S. Olympic team coach Mike Krzyzewski said the 12-man roster for this summer's Beijing Games will be released Monday.

Krzyzewski, Duke's Hall of Fame coach, said the roster will be announced during a news conference in Chicago.

"The pool of players that we have have all made commitments and have given time and effort," Krzyzewski said Tuesday during his annual summer news conference in Durham. "Really we have more people qualified for those 12 spots than we can take, so that's what makes it tough. There will be people we've coached, either last summer or the summer before, who will not be on this team."

Earlier this month, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said the U.S. would pick its squad without a tryout. There are more than 30 players in the national team program, but he said officials are down to about 14 names.

The deadline to submit the roster is July 1. The U.S. team will go to Las Vegas to train in mid-July and play an exhibition against Canada before opening the Beijing Games against the host Chinese on Aug. 10.

Last year, the U.S. team started Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Dwight Howard en route to an unbeaten showing in an Olympic qualifying tournament. The roster also included Amare Stoudemire, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler and Mike Miller.

"We understand the level of pressure that's involved in this and to me the pressure can be looked at in two different ways: It can inhibit you or it can excite you," Krzyzewski said of expectations to win the gold medal. "My feeling is it will excite our group. They want that pressure. The most foolish thing you can do is ... be arrogant and just say it's going to happen. To me, we have to show the respect of preparation to do it."

Krzyzewski said USA Basketball has talked with players to make sure they don't have any family or health issues that would prevent them from being committed to the team. He said they also have talked with potential choices about how their roles might change, going as far to tell some, "You may be the 12th man. You may not be a starter. Are you able to handle that?"

Their responses, he said, have typically been, "Whatever you want."

"This team has a chance to be incredibly unique," he said. "How it's been put together has shown a tremendous amount of respect for worldwide basketball. We've said, 'It's the world's game, not the U.S.'s game."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Team won't be announced until Monday, but I guess Dwayne Wade, Jason Kidd (

) Carmelo Anthony and Tayshaun Prince are supposedly on the team according to what I am reading.

Billups has pulled out, as has Amare Stodemire. Stodemire is claiming medical reasons but I dunno, I think he's worried he might have to actually play D. Not sure why Billups pulled out, he might not have gotten picked anyway since Kidd has already been given a spot and you'd have to think Chris Paul is a lock plus Deron Williams since he played for the USA team last summer.

Saw one potential line up and it looked like this...

G Kidd
G Kobe
F Lebron
F Melo
F Howard

PG Paul
PG Williams
SG Wade
SG Redd
PF Boozer
PF Bosh
C Chandler

I dunno, Redd is a good 3 point shooter but I think they need more. Would be better off keeping a guy like Mike Miller on the team since he is a "team guy" and just rains 3's - plus he played well for the USA Team last summer. Shane Battier would be a great fit for this team too but I guess he's having ankle surgery so he's out. Seems like too much of an All Star team to me, I dunno, there's a lot of shots between all these guys on the roster

Still think they will do good and win the Gold, but a much better "team" could probably be formed.

**Jura** · 06-20-2008, 01:19 AM

ESPN is filming the team in a program called "Road to Redemption" on ESPN2. I believe it starts on July 2.

**SammyG** · 06-20-2008, 01:27 AM

That's awesome. I'm excited to watch this team just destroy everyone.

**SammyG** · 06-20-2008, 01:28 AM

You forgot Tayshaun Prince.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-20-2008, 01:31 AM

I copy and pasted that from an "expert" so I guess that expert didn't know what he was talking about haha

I wonder who won't make it from that list now? (since Prince is and I think they can only carry 12)

**SammyG** · 06-20-2008, 01:32 AM

I don't think Redd is gonna be on the team, just like you. and Kidd starting is retarded. Get CP3 out there.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-20-2008, 01:39 AM

Well I think they should keep Redd and add ANOTHER shooter. (Wade making the team pretty much knocks out Mike Miller though, at least from what I am reading on other message boards) The international game is all about that, plus the arc is closer than the NBA I believe so it could be lights out. Dunno, guess we will find out for sure on Monday.

**Jura** · 06-20-2008, 01:39 AM

**McLegend** · 06-20-2008, 01:59 AM

Tyson Chandler apparently isn't going to be on it.

**McLegend** · 06-20-2008, 01:59 AM

Also Jason Kidd should get more playing time then Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

**MCEazy** · 06-20-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legend

Also Jason Kidd should get more playing time then Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

Why would kidd get more playing time then Paul and Williams? he didn't play all THAT great in dallas from what i saw, kinda inconsistent

06-20-2008, 02:14 AM

kidd shouldn't get shit. williams and paul have passed him by,.

**MCEazy** · 06-20-2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gertner

kidd shouldn't get shit. williams and paul have passed him by,.

exactly, paul and williams are the top 2 PG's in the fuken league.

**Juan** · 06-20-2008, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gertner

kidd shouldn't get shit. williams and paul have passed him by,.

Word.

**Loose Cannon** · 06-20-2008, 09:21 AM

yea, they need fucking shooters and people who know how to defend, not a bunch of big name players who drive to the basket and do jack shit on defense.. It's been a joke for the last couple of years. Most teams just reigning 3's and jumpers on them. can't wait to watch this team too.

**VonErichLives** · 06-20-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jura

The greatest "all-star" team ever assembled in any sport.

**McLegend** · 06-20-2008, 02:50 PM

My fault yo.

I meant to say Jason Kidd shouldN'T get more playing time then the other two. I recongize at this point in his career he's isn't as good as them.

**Vastardikai** · 06-20-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VonErichLives

The greatest "all-star" team ever assembled in any sport.

A team full of team players.

Kind of a lost concept now in Pro Basketball, huh?

**IC Champion** · 06-20-2008, 03:25 PM

Wait, how is Kidd the starting PG? Both CP and D-Will are better than old man Kidd.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-22-2008, 01:47 AM

Well its not 100% official Kidd is the starting PG but I would guess he is. I don't really understand why hes even on the team, I mean yeah hes a phenomenal passer but his best days are behind him, plus hes a liability as a shooter and on the defensive end. I don't know if Williams is even gonna make it either, I would assume he will but we won't know for sure until Monday. I would have to think Chris Paul is a lock

**Kris P Lettus** · 06-22-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legend

Tyson Chandler apparently isn't going to be on it.

Even as a Hornets fan, it kinda shocked me he was on it to begin with..

RP · 06-22-2008, 01:41 PM

Did Mike Dunleavy Jr make it?

06-22-2008, 01:48 PM

they annouced that boozer and williams made the team.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-22-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris P Lettus

Even as a Hornets fan, it kinda shocked me he was on it to begin with..

Yeah he was invited to the initial USA Camp 2 summers ago, a lot of guys where though, some of them you wouldn't expect. (like Bruce Bowen) I am guessing he must done well while he was at the camp because a lot of the guys where dropped pretty early on but he was not.

**MCEazy** · 06-22-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus Shuttlesworth

Well its not 100% official Kidd is the starting PG but I would guess he is. I don't really understand why hes even on the team, I mean yeah hes a phenomenal passer but his best days are behind him, plus hes a liability as a shooter and on the defensive end. I don't know if Williams is even gonna make it either, I would assume he will but we won't know for sure until Monday. I would have to think Chris Paul is a lock

should have kidd on the bench backing up williams and paul, sure he's got alot of experience, but fuk he's league's behind what he used to be.

**SammyG** · 06-22-2008, 10:48 PM

Why is Chris Mihm not on the roster.

**MCEazy** · 06-22-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammyG

Why is Chris Mihm not on the roster.

, can't help but laugh at this Sammy.

**SammyG** · 06-23-2008, 01:24 AM

Chris Mihm and Luke Walton need ot be on this team.

**McLegend** · 06-23-2008, 12:09 PM

Here is the roster.

Lot of guards

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/...ory?id=3457058

**KingofOldSchool** · 06-23-2008, 12:21 PM

IMO, Rondo should have made the team instead of Kidd.

Let Paul and Williams be the main two PG's and let Rondo get some time in as well especially if he plays like he did in the Finals.

I mean it's a good team and no one in their right mind should complain because they don't have 50 million superstars on that team. That's the problem they've in the recent Olympics is that they tried to pack them with the best American players trying to recapture what the Dream Team had, but no one can replace guys like Bird, Jordan, and Johnson because those guys were all team players and knew what it took to win games.

Especially with the evolution of the foreign teams, the American teams need to focus on the complete package and not just A+ talent.

If you switched Boozer for Garnett, this team would have been almost perfect.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-23-2008, 01:40 PM

Garnett didn't want to play.

Also, this is a bit different from other failed superstar teams since this team has been playing together over the last 2 summers, so its not like they where just thrown together two weeks before the games.

The reason why Kidd made the team is because he played so well last summer for Team USA, that is also why he will probably be the starter - his game is tailored to dominate international play as long as he isn't forced to shoot. I'm just not a big fan of Wife Beater Kidd, so that's kinda why I didn't want him on there too, but I mean his short comings will probably be able to be masked by the other guys so whatever, plus its not like hes that bad. Also gonna have to strongly disagree about Rondo making the team instead of him though, lets not get caught up in Rondo's Game 6 performance.

For those who don't feel like clicking the link;
Jason Kidd
Deron Williams
Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade
Michael Redd
LeBron James
Carmelo Anthony
Tayshaun Prince
Carlos Boozer
Chris Bosh
Dwight Howard

06-23-2008, 02:32 PM

ugh, why is prince on this team

**McLegend** · 06-23-2008, 02:50 PM

Yeah I like Prince and all, but I think the teams needs another Center.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-23-2008, 02:50 PM

I'm not exactly sure, defensive presence I guess? Would have rather seen Mike Miller make the team though, he played on the team the last 2 summers and can kill it from deep. Also can grab a few boards and play a little D.

I dunno, I think they will be alright in the front court. Boozer, Bosh and Howard will be able to bang any international big man with ease - Pau Gasol anyone? Dwight Howard should be able to go beast mode in these games, I really can't see anybody being able to guard him in the post or on stop him from dominating the glass.

RP · 06-23-2008, 03:10 PM

I'm just not that excited about USA Basketball anymore. Sure it will be real cool to see Paul and Williams and Kobe and Lebron and Howard all on the same team. And yes, i think this is possibly the best team USA Basketball has had since the Dream Team, but i'm just not excited about it as i was when the Dream Team was made or when Reggie Miller was playing on the team. Maybe that will change. Its like, if they blow teams out then its boring, but if they dont blow teams out, something is wrong in everyones eyes. I personally would like to see some of these great foreign teams step up and play. Like Ginobli's team or Nash's team or Nowitski's team. Yao on the China team. That stuff excites me. I wish those countries had more players that we know of that are all stars. This event would be so much more meaningful to me. I'm glad Tayshuan Prince is on the team. I thought Billups should have made it over Kidd and its obvious he pulled out because he wasnt going to make it and it sounds alot better to say pulled out then to say cut. I woulda chosen Kyle Korver instead of Redd. Only because Redd is a scorer and theres enough scorers on the team. And also because they need a white person on the team

Is it bad that the best American born white players in the NBA are Mike Miller, Kyle Korver and Mike Dunleavy Jr? Is that the best we can do? Man thats bad.

**SammyG** · 06-23-2008, 05:22 PM

Why are people hatin on Prince being on the team? He is a shutdown defender.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-23-2008, 10:25 PM

Yeah his knuckle-draggin length definitely bothers players offensively. I am assuming that's why he made it, hes a pretty good defender. I'm not exactly sure how much playing time he is gonna get though.

I just wish Mike Miller was on the team, because A.) he played pretty well while playing for this team in the previous years B.) he has range C.) seems like he would be a team player and D.) his skin is white.

06-24-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammyG

Why are people hatin on Prince being on the team? He is a shutdown defender.

prince has gotten his ass handed to him the last 2 playoffs. Whenever Prince has a tough mtach up his offence disappears. He misses so many open shots.

Bosh and Boozer both are injury concerns and if they get into foul trouble this team is dead.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 06-24-2008, 01:40 AM

Team USA has gone undefeated the last two summers in international play so I'm not too worried. I think this team will do very well even if Bosh or Boozer get into foul trouble because Dwight Howard is should dominate anybody thrown in front of him, absolutely abuse people.

Just saw this tidbit on Kidd from the USA Basketball website

Quote:

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.

44-0? God damn

06-24-2008, 10:50 AM

Teams like Russia and Lithuania are huge up front and could pose problems for USA if their big men get in trouble.

06-23-2008, 01:40 PM	#31
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	Garnett didn't want to play. Also, this is a bit different from other failed superstar teams since this team has been playing together over the last 2 summers, so its not like they where just thrown together two weeks before the games. The reason why Kidd made the team is because he played so well last summer for Team USA, that is also why he will probably be the starter - his game is tailored to dominate international play as long as he isn't forced to shoot. I'm just not a big fan of Wife Beater Kidd, so that's kinda why I didn't want him on there too, but I mean his short comings will probably be able to be masked by the other guys so whatever, plus its not like hes that bad. Also gonna have to strongly disagree about Rondo making the team instead of him though, lets not get caught up in Rondo's Game 6 performance. For those who don't feel like clicking the link; Jason Kidd Deron Williams Chris Paul Kobe Bryant Dwyane Wade Michael Redd LeBron James Carmelo Anthony Tayshaun Prince Carlos Boozer Chris Bosh Dwight Howard Last edited by Jesus Shuttlesworth; 06-23-2008 at 01:45 PM.

06-23-2008, 02:50 PM	#34
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	I'm not exactly sure, defensive presence I guess? Would have rather seen Mike Miller make the team though, he played on the team the last 2 summers and can kill it from deep. Also can grab a few boards and play a little D. I dunno, I think they will be alright in the front court. Boozer, Bosh and Howard will be able to bang any international big man with ease - Pau Gasol anyone? Dwight Howard should be able to go beast mode in these games, I really can't see anybody being able to guard him in the post or on stop him from dominating the glass. Last edited by Jesus Shuttlesworth; 06-23-2008 at 02:53 PM.

06-20-2008, 01:19 AM	#2
Jura ▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬ Posts: 16,011	ESPN is filming the team in a program called "Road to Redemption" on ESPN2. I believe it starts on July 2.

06-20-2008, 01:27 AM	#3
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	That's awesome. I'm excited to watch this team just destroy everyone.

06-20-2008, 01:28 AM	#4
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	You forgot Tayshaun Prince.

06-20-2008, 01:31 AM	#5
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	I copy and pasted that from an "expert" so I guess that expert didn't know what he was talking about haha I wonder who won't make it from that list now? (since Prince is and I think they can only carry 12)

06-20-2008, 01:32 AM	#6
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	I don't think Redd is gonna be on the team, just like you. and Kidd starting is retarded. Get CP3 out there.

06-20-2008, 01:39 AM	#7
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	Well I think they should keep Redd and add ANOTHER shooter. (Wade making the team pretty much knocks out Mike Miller though, at least from what I am reading on other message boards) The international game is all about that, plus the arc is closer than the NBA I believe so it could be lights out. Dunno, guess we will find out for sure on Monday.

06-20-2008, 01:59 AM	#9
McLegend Temporary Posts: 15,590	Tyson Chandler apparently isn't going to be on it.

06-20-2008, 02:14 AM	#12
Gertner Guest Posts: n/a	kidd shouldn't get shit. williams and paul have passed him by,.

06-20-2008, 09:21 AM	#15
Loose Cannon I'm all there is Posts: 31,811	yea, they need fucking shooters and people who know how to defend, not a bunch of big name players who drive to the basket and do jack shit on defense.. It's been a joke for the last couple of years. Most teams just reigning 3's and jumpers on them. can't wait to watch this team too.

06-20-2008, 02:50 PM	#17
McLegend Temporary Posts: 15,590	My fault yo. I meant to say Jason Kidd shouldN'T get more playing time then the other two. I recongize at this point in his career he's isn't as good as them.

06-20-2008, 03:25 PM	#19
IC Champion They/Them Posts: 15,331	Wait, how is Kidd the starting PG? Both CP and D-Will are better than old man Kidd.

06-22-2008, 01:47 AM	#20
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	Well its not 100% official Kidd is the starting PG but I would guess he is. I don't really understand why hes even on the team, I mean yeah hes a phenomenal passer but his best days are behind him, plus hes a liability as a shooter and on the defensive end. I don't know if Williams is even gonna make it either, I would assume he will but we won't know for sure until Monday. I would have to think Chris Paul is a lock

06-22-2008, 01:41 PM	#22
RP King of Love and Piss Posts: 62,991	Did Mike Dunleavy Jr make it?

06-22-2008, 01:48 PM	#23
Gertner Guest Posts: n/a	they annouced that boozer and williams made the team.

06-22-2008, 10:48 PM	#26
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Why is Chris Mihm not on the roster.

06-23-2008, 01:24 AM	#28
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Chris Mihm and Luke Walton need ot be on this team.

06-23-2008, 12:09 PM	#29
McLegend Temporary Posts: 15,590	Here is the roster. Lot of guards http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/...ory?id=3457058

06-23-2008, 12:21 PM	#30
KingofOldSchool ...IN HD!!!! Posts: 23,327	IMO, Rondo should have made the team instead of Kidd. Let Paul and Williams be the main two PG's and let Rondo get some time in as well especially if he plays like he did in the Finals. I mean it's a good team and no one in their right mind should complain because they don't have 50 million superstars on that team. That's the problem they've in the recent Olympics is that they tried to pack them with the best American players trying to recapture what the Dream Team had, but no one can replace guys like Bird, Jordan, and Johnson because those guys were all team players and knew what it took to win games. Especially with the evolution of the foreign teams, the American teams need to focus on the complete package and not just A+ talent. If you switched Boozer for Garnett, this team would have been almost perfect.

06-23-2008, 02:32 PM	#32
Gertner Guest Posts: n/a	ugh, why is prince on this team

06-23-2008, 03:10 PM	#35
RP King of Love and Piss Posts: 62,991	I'm just not that excited about USA Basketball anymore. Sure it will be real cool to see Paul and Williams and Kobe and Lebron and Howard all on the same team. And yes, i think this is possibly the best team USA Basketball has had since the Dream Team, but i'm just not excited about it as i was when the Dream Team was made or when Reggie Miller was playing on the team. Maybe that will change. Its like, if they blow teams out then its boring, but if they dont blow teams out, something is wrong in everyones eyes. I personally would like to see some of these great foreign teams step up and play. Like Ginobli's team or Nash's team or Nowitski's team. Yao on the China team. That stuff excites me. I wish those countries had more players that we know of that are all stars. This event would be so much more meaningful to me. I'm glad Tayshuan Prince is on the team. I thought Billups should have made it over Kidd and its obvious he pulled out because he wasnt going to make it and it sounds alot better to say pulled out then to say cut. I woulda chosen Kyle Korver instead of Redd. Only because Redd is a scorer and theres enough scorers on the team. And also because they need a white person on the team Is it bad that the best American born white players in the NBA are Mike Miller, Kyle Korver and Mike Dunleavy Jr? Is that the best we can do? Man thats bad.

06-23-2008, 05:22 PM	#36
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Why are people hatin on Prince being on the team? He is a shutdown defender.

06-23-2008, 10:25 PM	#37
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	Yeah his knuckle-draggin length definitely bothers players offensively. I am assuming that's why he made it, hes a pretty good defender. I'm not exactly sure how much playing time he is gonna get though. I just wish Mike Miller was on the team, because A.) he played pretty well while playing for this team in the previous years B.) he has range C.) seems like he would be a team player and D.) his skin is white.

06-24-2008, 10:50 AM	#40
Gertner Guest Posts: n/a	Teams like Russia and Lithuania are huge up front and could pose problems for USA if their big men get in trouble.