Team USA is Official
Dwight Howard (photo. Mannion)The U.S. national squad for the Beijing Olympics has just been officially revealed. Although pretty much all of these names had been leaked beforehand, here’s your Team USA roster:
Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Michael Redd, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Tayshaun Prince, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and The Centaur.
Obviously the team is “going small” this year, with only Bosh, Booz and Dwight as its true low-post players. ‘Melo and LeBron will likely see time at the four, where they will be too athletic for pretty much every international PF out there, but with those two (especially ‘Melo) you have to wonder if they can rebound and defend the position well. Not long ago there would have been a legitimate debate over whether Kobe or D-Wade should start at the two, but Kobe’s MVP season and D-Wade’s recent injury record kills that argument.
What do you think of this squad? Any glaring weaknesses? Anyone left off who should have been there? Is this team a lock to win gold in Beijing?
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Matt Ballou says:
Man this teams needs Tim Duncan in the worse way, its too bad they could get him in.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
DJ Stylz and shit says:
Where the fuck is Chris Mihm? He’s not a big star, but an athletic big that can step out and shoot the J, a must for international play. Thought we’d have more role players like big C.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
ERIC says:
need SIZE
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
ERIC says:
Tayshaun should be off in favor of Joe Johnson
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
ERIC says:
Chandler should be on instead of Boozer
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
ERIC says:
just my opinion
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
iceman anaba says:
You know, every USA men’s olymic basketball team is always going to be measured against the 1 and only ‘dream team’ at barcelona ‘92. Looking at the just-released list, I am impressed, but not awe-struck. This team could very well bring back the gold medal, but what got me thinking is how this present team would fare against the original dream team. (They should have just handed Jordan and co the gold medal as they alighted from the airport)
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Celts Fan says:
I’d take Joe Johnson over Redd – much more versatile, still an amazing shooter.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Celts Fan says:
Iceman, the Original Dream Team was the best team ever assembled. There will never be another team like it, it’s not even possible, so let’s stop that comparison.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
brickhouse says:
LOL @ Chris Mihm comment
yeah that team is small, they need Chandler or Duncan or Brand instead of Tayshaun…I think even Battier would be a better fit than Tayshaun
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Sam I Am says:
Juan Dixon at the helm
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Prof. TX says:
Cutting Chandler was a mistake. He’d give size, defense, and rebounding, not to mention the fact that he’s used to playing with Chris Paul. The fact that the other teams are used to playing together is one of the typical excuses for a US loss, why not put up a couple of pairs that are used to playing together too?
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Tyson Chandler
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Kudabeen says:
Their focus better be on keeping their bigs out of foul trouble, because if have to depend on Bosh banging down low, we are in trouble. Dude has game, but he looked horrible in the last competitions.
Who is the tough guy on this team? The guy that will keep the other team honest when they get physical and try to take TEAM NBA off their game? I was impressed last by Dwight’s fire, despite his reported silliness off the court, dude is about business on it. Having said that I don’t see him legally cleaning a guys clock on a screen or with a hard foul.
Who in the league fits the Charles Oakley, Barkley, Mahorn mold? I don’t see it…
Also, I’d rather have Chandler over, I think he is a better rebounder/defender. Isn’t Bron playing the 4? Who is saying that he can’t hold down that position?
Boozer and Bosh are suspect right now. Say what you want, but I would have rather seen Kaman, Chandler, or even David Lee than those two…
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Meica says:
Yeah, I definitely agree that Chandler over Boozer would be much better. Sure, Boozer is a great player, but on a team full of stars you need some kind of role-players, not second-rate stars.
I like Tayshaun for that reason, but I do agree that Joe Johnson may have been the better fit.
I’m still disappointed in there being no Celtics. Redd v. Ray Allen; I’d take Ray Allen any day: he’s a better shooter and actually plays defense… just ask any Milwaukee fan.
And just for arguments sake it’d be nice to see a name like Odom’s on there—it might be nice to have a real center on the team a la your Hakeems and Ewings, but I digress…
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Austin Burton says:
Question: If they didn’t have to just pick from guys already in the USA Basketball program, would you take Tyson Chandler or David West?
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
rodnets says:
Lets see what happens with this:
International Rules (NBA players hate them, specially ref calls).
PT issues (NBA should have pick more role players to surround 4 stars).
FIBA Basketball is a TEAM effort. NBA is showtime. We are not living in 92 where other teams wanted to be taken pictures with their idols.
If NBA players understand it the gold is yours!! if not, the world would shove the floor with the “Dream Team” like they did it in 2004 and in the world championship.
Peace
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
where is the size? isnt this usa team gonna get malled on the boards?
if it werent for dwight howard, jason kidd might actually lead the team in rebounds!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
joe johnson over tayshaun prince
tyson chandler over carlos boozer
amare stoudamire over chris bosh
i guess they will make up the ‘trail’ squad.
imagine if gilbert arenas was on the trial squad….you know he’d go nutt against the main team
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
imungloloupaw says:
the team needs brand… he’s boozer with better defense and a tougher version of bosh.. dude has no ego so he doesn’t pout if he gets no minutes.. as far as i can remember, he was the starting PF during the japan games..
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
@ Austin that’s a tough one although if your talking instead of Boozer I think I hace to go with David West because he still brings shot blocking, rebounding and a relationship with CP3 and his game is also better suited for international play.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Lorenzo says:
Team usa is doing it again … instead of building a TEAM with role players and backups, they put together a bunch of best individual talent available. On every team you need to have guys who are willing to move without the ball and get easy shots, not superstars standing around waiting to get the ball and go 1on5.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
But I think Staudomire would have been a perfect fit.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Big Sia says:
you did NOT just ask where is chris mihm…..
banish this man
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
fallinup says:
I’m fine with this team. And the lack of size isn’t what should be looked at here. I see speed. The FIBA game doesn’t have too many bruising centers in the likes of Dwight Howard. Expect him to hold down the center spot and Bosh to spell him. And you’ll probably see Boozer filling in at center when Team USA wants to run the competition out of the gym. Lebron, and even Melo can play PF…so I think this is a good, versatile team.
Chandler would have been great also. But obviously, Colangelo brought Tayshaun along help stop the shooting SF’s. Other than Tay, I see Wade, Lebron (maybe) and Kobe being the only ones to stop the opposing teams best shooter. That I think is more important in the FIBA game.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
ERIC says:
great point – brand would be a great choice, but he’s sitting out resting his achilles for the Clipshow.
amare wussed out bc of his past knee surgeries..u know it looked fine when he was putting up 26ppg and 12ppg post All-Star break.
I think CP3 to Chandler oops would hvae been a great connection and a guaranteed 2 pts.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Sam I Am says:
Chandler Austin
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
fallinup says:
But we still have Williams to Boozer oops. And offensively Boozer has a little more game than Tyson.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
hahns says:
i agree, ray allen would have been a good fit for the team..but at his age i guess team usa didnt wana go in that direction.
i would have liked to see tyson over bosh and etiher jj or mike miller over tayshaun. i think tayshaun was a mistake. hes not a lights out shooter…not super quick/athletic…i guess they were going for the “good defender” mold.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
sunni says:
chris mihm comment—classic—almost as classic as throwing him in during the finals for no apparent reason…classic move phil…if i ever meet phil jackson thats the first question im gonna ask him..’were you trying to mock the celtics or did your really think mihm should’ve been in the game instead of gasol’…
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
hahns says:
@Lorenzo
im curious to know who you would have picked for team usa then…would you rather have had the celtics go represent? the whole premise of this team was that it would be made of great players who are committed to team ball…and i would defintely argue that this is that team. each player has the ability to create their own shot and be the man if called upon, which is something you need. but the architects are making sure the culture and playbook arent made up of just isos. if you picked more than 3 1 dimenssional players for an olympic team..youre out of your mind.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Dagomar says:
Austin, I’d take Chandler AND West over Prince and Wade. This team is insanely good until one or two of the big men either gets hurt or fouls out. Then you can kiss the gold medal goodbye.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Trey says:
Yo Joe Johnson deserves a nod; bottom line. His playoff showcase was enough proof to show that he has been a problem for years, and will be for years to come.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Lorenzo says:
@hahns
I’ll give just one example. Why waste Wade’s talent on the bench behind kobe if you can have a true spot up shooter like Korver to come in and drop a three or two when the opposing team goes into a zone D. Spot up shooters usually do really well in the FIBA games… This team is very athletic as all usa teams were, but what happens when you take away their drives into the paint. Will LeBron suddenly start hitting his midrange jumper?
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Jim says:
I hope Dwight doesn’t find out–quickly–why Duncan said “Hell no” when asked if he would ever go back…but I think he will.
Also, I assume LBJ is going to play a lot of 4 on this team, as far as getting bigs in there.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Lorenzo says:
People forget about Joe Johnson. You dont need 12 superstars to win. You need 5 high quality versatile starters to play their minutes and develop their chemistry. Besides that it’s better to have people on the bench, who are used to coming off the bench and bust their ass for 10-15 mins.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
rell says:
@Dagomar
You are right about this team is good until a big men gets hurt or fouls out. They should have taken one more big man (Chandler or Brand) and left out Prince. I would have also left off a point guard or Wade and replace them with Joe Johnson also. This give the U.S. team another outside shooter, defense, and also another backup point guard if the team gets into foul trouble. The only reason I would keep Wade off the team is because he just came off a major injury.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I know I already said this last week but for those of you who missed it I’ll say it again. This squad should be called the Wet Dream Team. They seem legit but once everybody wakes up to the fact they’re not all we’re left with is a mess. Hello bronze medal.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Austin Burton says:
“Wet Dream Team” was the name of my intramural football team in college. There was another team called “Staff Infection” made up of RA’s and kids who worked on campus.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
ML says:
Celts i bet you can’t even name the Players on the Dream Team. You Dumb Ass Bitch
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
hahns says:
lorenzo, i actually do agree w/ the wade exclusion you bring up, but more bc hes just coming off a huge injury…. but after him and tay, i wouldnt really replace anyone else.
the wade pick seems more “political” than anything. hes a tricaptain and i think ppl are scared to criticize his selection. switch tay wade and bosh w/ mike miller, joe johnson, and tyson.
maybe redd w/ a different shooter like mike miller. but KYLE KORVER!? i dont know about that…i think the guy is a bum.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@Austin
Damn I thought I was being original. Nice name though for an intramural squad. I played in a mudd volleyball charity event this past weekend and the name of our squad was “Mudd In Mudd Out. Bound by Liquor.” Hope y’all remember what gangsta flick that was taken from.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Austin Burton says:
Oh yeah, Blood In Blood Out. Wasn’t that movie like 4 hours long? I always get it mixed up with American Me.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
EvanD10 says:
DJ Stylz and shit says:
Where the fuck is Chris Mihm? He’s not a big star, but an athletic big that can step out and shoot the J, a must for international play. Thought we’d have more role players like big C.
after that wack comment you should never b allowed to post again
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
DaPro says:
I think Wade should have sat out. I want to see him play the full season but if he feels he can go than I’m all for it.
Everybody’s knocking this year squad for lack of size but concentrate on the pros fam-speed, unguardable players (Kobe, Lebron, Melo, Wade, Howard, Paul, Deron) It really doesn’t matter about the size because each player on the team is a significant to great rebounder for their respective team
I see Gold and nothing less. I guarantee the US kills damn near everyone
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Claw says:
They need a big, TD would be perfect and wouldn’t be triple teamed like on past USA teams. Even Amare or Chandler would help out, but they still need a big to play D and board.
DH will get in foul trouble, and not sold on Boozer.
There was some close games last year, so I wouldn’t just give them the gold mostly with no inside presence.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Wolves fan says:
yeah they need doleac out there…….. i can’t even say that with a straight face.
in my personal opinion, bosh is the most overrated player in the nba, and i’m not biased, i do like watching the raptors. he needs to put on his big boy pants once in a while and play some hard nosed d and fight for some rebounds, and stop settling for that mid range j. tyson chandler would bring some much needed d to that team usa. if they plan on using melo in the post, and howard is in foul trouble what are they gonna do? slap in melo and bosh down there? that team would get worked by… turkey for goodness sakes. if they plan on using melo in the post he could provide the offense while chandler is easily long enough to patrol the entire paint in the international game. if the only reason bosh is there instead of chandler is because of his scoring abilities, then colangelo is stupid. you aren’t getting enough scoring abilities from lebron, kobe, melo, wade? if usa doesn’t get the gold, it will be because a team with some good bigs just takes em to the post and completely works em over with dwight on the bench.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
dwyane wade deserves to be on the team.
why yall hatin? because he was out last season…so what? he healthy now and ready to do his thing for team usa.
yall all have short memories. yall cant remember anything past yesterday
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Is Dj Stylz and shit really Brandon Jennings is disguise? Cause that Chris Mihm comment is stupid. Like I can’t pass my entrance exams stupid. I hope he was joking.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
G_sus_X says:
jason kidd = icky
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Jah says:
I’d rather see:
PG: Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Deron Williams
SG: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson
SF: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Tayshaun Prince
PF/C: Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett
I’m just sayin’…
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Claw says:
Damn Jah brought up one I missed, KG would be huge, somebody that can play D, Board, and Block shots.
Now throw him in with TD and take off Prince and Redd and you have a legit squad that would leave no doubt who wins in China.
And give me Mark “Mad Dog” Madsen to start alongside Chris Mihm.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
MJAX says:
Although I would have put Joe Johnson on my team, as well as Chandler in favor of Redd, and Boozer. I am thinking the USA Team philosophy, must be “WE are not worried about how big WE are, they need to be worried about guarding us at our size!!!!”
When you take a moment and look at a potential 5 on the court of Kidd, DHow, Kobe, Bron and Melo, who can you really stop? If they get out and run, you as a defender are DOOMED! A team of Paul, Kobe, Bron, Boozer and Bosh is not a small team. I think we have to give them credit for having the ability to alter their games to what’s needed for the sake of winning. Don’t cancel these guys out yet, because they don’t have a group of 6’10’s and up…Players this good can adjust, look at the C’s and how the BYG 3 adjusted their respective games for the sake or winning. Also what point guards want to deal with Kidd, Paul, Williams, Wade, Kobe and/or Bron bringing the ball up court?!
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Jon says:
Why not stick with the team that won FIBA Americas? That team crushed Argentina, supposedly one of the best international teams
With Kobe playing alongside Lebron, Wade, and Carmelo, they still should be able to get the gold though
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Lorenzo says:
Does anybody not remember the last olympics and the last world championships. What kind of a team went there and what they accomplished. Don’t get me wrong, this team might win, but it’s not a sure thing. CP, Deron, Kidd, all nice players, but do you need three PGs? One of those is going to play less than 10 mins. It’s all about the politics and not offending certain players, not building a TEAM. Who plays the power positions? 3 guys for the 2 positons. That’s all? Are you saying Joe Johnson is a better PF than Brand, Amare, Chandler, West even Odom?
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Myrie says:
BREAKING NEWS!!
SHAQ RAP DISS FOR KOBE BRYANT IN NEW YORK LAST NIGHT
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June 23rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Northern Touch says:
Are you guys kiddin me?
Only in the US can a team roll out a possible starting five of 4 all-nba first teamers – CP, Kobe, Bron, Howard to be backed up by solid all-stars – DWill, Boozer, Bosh, Melo, Wade, Redd, Kidd
and have their fans bitch about the 11th and 12th men. First off, nobody’s touchin this team cuz they ain’t runnin no plays. It’s gonna be run n gun and the first to 120 daily.Who’s stoppin breaks started by a Howard rebound, outlet to Paul with Kobe and Bron on the wings? Who fuckin with them? China, Germany, Australia, Italy, Argentina with no Ginobili? Calm the fuck down and appreciate the talent.
All we got up here is dalambert and scrubs I ain’t never heard off. we prolly not even gettin to china so please STFU!!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
makedr says:
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June 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Ferdiberdi says:
I think the direction for USA is to use constant pressure D and a wicked transition attack. May have changed Tayshaun into a Joe johnson for shooting purposes, but overall this team will press and attack fine.
Amare begged off, so it should have been him not Boozer/Bosh.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
heavy d says:
I just don’t think Dwayne Wade’s game works for the INTL scene. He can’t shoot from outside and won’t have the NBA rules paving his way to the basket.
I am also not sold on Boozer as one of the 3 bigs. He’s 6′8 at best. Tyson Chandler is a bit one dimensional, but he’s got the height. The bigs are going to be susceptible to foul trouble.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
GEE...Catch me on 155th and how come White Plains don't have a nickname? says:
Gold medal no doubt.
Winning cures most everything. So while you can replace dudes I am straight with who they running with.
Plus with Coach K at the helm it should be cool.
Bigger question.
With Coach K winning it all and coaching older …more mature (to some degrees) dudes, could this be what draws him to coaching in the L.
I would say so.
A lot of dudes wanna play for coach K too. That would be realll interesting. I see him in the college game maybe 2 more years.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:09 am
loc says:
they needed Chandler,
and Michael Redd????
Team USA is definitely NOTTT getting Gold. Probably choke and get bronze again.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:03 am
doc says:
They gonna bust everybody ass. Coach K said Tyson Chandler tell me how my ass taste.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:39 am
frankie says:
Just wanted to stop in and tell Dime to please get off of Wade’s nutsack. Ever since the 2006 playoffs, the entire bball world seemingly has fallen in love for a guy with one skill and one skill only: drive to the hoop and hope for a foul. If only the international scene used the same refs who gave the Heat the title that year. Kobe Bryant is and has been far and away the better player in the NBA and for the US team for years.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Bauer says:
Yo! Where’s my man CHANDLER!!?? He played amazing at the FIBA tourni & is the only capable back up at 7′1″. I mean come on! Chandler is a tenacious defender, shot blocking monster…enough said.