LeBron James (photo. Mannion)ESPN.com’s Chris Sheriden, while answering several other questions about Team USA, presents his starting 5 for the United States: Kobe, LeBron (at the 3), Melo (at the 4), Jason Kidd and Dwight Howard. No real surprises there, right?
Sheriden believes that Dwyane Wade will be the sixth man, but will be on a short leash. From his post:
Dwyane Wade starts out as the sixth man, but his hold on that spot will depend on how well he plays in the Americans’ five exhibition games prior to Beijing. If he looks like the D-Wade of 2005-06, he’ll hold the spot. If he turns back into the turnover machine he was last season, he’ll be supplanted in that role — most likely by Michael Redd.
Chris Paul and Deron Williams will compete for the backup point guard spot behind Kidd, with Paul having a slight edge since Williams can also play the 2-guard spot. Bosh backs up Howard at center, Boozer backs up Anthony at the 4, and Tayshaun Prince can be used at the 2, 3 or 4 spot depending on the circumstances.
After watching CP in the playoffs, we’re inclined to see him as the 6th man if Wade isn’t on his game. Obviously Redd is a better shooter than Paul, but CP is a better defender and should be able to get into the heart of any zone defense thrown Team USA’s way to cause havoc and get his guys easy shots. We’d like to see Chris running amok like he did in this past postseason where no one could stop him.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
dh says:
coo.
that’d be my starting five too.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Amar says:
I think that the guy who should be the back up point shouldn’t be the same guy every time, but a situational deal. If the other team has a small fast PG go with CP, if the other team has a bigger PG who can post up, go with Deron.
It’s simple.
The other thing to look out for is zone defenses, out of the three point guards, Deron is the only one who can absolutely nail the three. (wasn’t he 50% from deep in the playoffs?)
July 7th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Jay G says:
To be honest, Dwade shouldn’t be on the team. It’s not even a guarantee he’ll be up to form by then. They should of went with a HEALTHY player and when I say that doesn’t mean being healthy for the last 3-4 months.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
doc says:
Its okay Amar D-Will gonna get burn.You be riding for him hard.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Dime Magazine says:
Jay -
who else (who wanted to play) should be on the roster ahead of Wade?
July 7th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Ross says:
Other than Melo at 4, I agree. Looking at everyone else on the team though, I guess that decision makes sense.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
rell says:
@Dime
I would have put Joe Johnson on the team instead of D.Wade. Joe Johnson would have gave me defense, scoring, and the 3-point shot.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
PALakerFan says:
J-Kidd should not be starting. Sentimental pick. Should be Chris Paul.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Yoooo says:
JKidd is a sentimental pick? Check his international record dickhead. He’s a proven commmodity as an olympian (obviously he’s NBA proven). Stop disrespecting young boy. You don’t always need 5 scorers on the court. He’s the maestro, facilitator since that might go over your head. He gets people easy buckets while setting a prime example.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
E.J. Rios says:
They should play a bunch of different line ups throughout the game. start just like he has it. maybe d wade and cp off the bench first, rotate in deron. just keep it fresh, no one could stop it.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Amar says:
Doc — he’ll get his mins. I just think that with a squad that is built upon player versatility that hard rules for mpg and the like should go out the window. some games bosh and dwight are going to play 30+ mins, and some games, melo and bron will play all the mins at the 4. depends on matchups.
as for Deron, yeah, I’ll ride with deron. heck, i’ll ride on him. CP3 is small and fast like a greyhound, Deron is the mutha effing Mastodon.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Dagomar says:
I hope Wade is 100%, because if he’s not they will be kicking themselves for leaving out Chandler. This team has a ton of swingmen, but only three bigs, and of those only one is a true center.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
2.0 says:
Ross,
“Other than Melo at 4…” Where have you been the past two summers? Melo has been the best player on the USA squad!
July 7th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
IGP says:
Yeah Melo is nasty in international play at the 4. He definitely should be starting.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
doc says:
He score the most but I wouldnt say he was better than Kobe or Bron.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
What is this!? says:
Too bad Carmelo can’t do for the Nuggets what has done for team USA. He may be “nasty” in international play (by the way..who isn’t “nasty” in international play? LOL) but he just about dissapears in the NBA playoffs…where it really matters. People who are subject to flat out quit on their team at any given time get no love here.
And I also agree with doc about Lebron and Kobe, but I will also go further to say that the addition of J-Kidds leadership was the main difference in last Summers qualifying rounds.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Russ says:
CP can get into the lane with no problem alright, but from watching last time that was the problem. He was consistently over-penetrating and getting stuck in bad positions. Be curious to see if he can make the adjustment.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
benjamin says:
what about kobe?
July 7th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
hahns says:
jkidds undefeated records is WAYYYYYYYYY overhyped. it was probably more good timing in being part of team usa than his merits to the team that made the team undefeated during his tenure. ie, he was lucky to be on the team when usa was still dominant.
but, i do think he should still start. hes got the respect of the entire team and can still ball. on a team of all stars/scorers, the guy is 100% unselfish. he took like 1 fga in the fiba americas last summer, or something crazy like that. pgs gotta be the leader of the team, not just a talent, so jkidd should be starting pg no questions asked.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:15 am
danny bloom says:
Reuters Photo Shock!
SEE PHOTO HERE: from Reuters Wire Service:
http://search.us.reuters.com/query/?s=USPHOTOS&q=%22beijing+world+park%22#
Beijing Theme Park for Olympics tourists still shows Twin Towers of
NYC World Trade Center as Standing in New York mini replica show
Disrespect for Westerners? Before Summer Olympics?
Or What?
YOU DECIDE
BLOG INFO:
http://twintowers101.blogspot.com/
July 8th, 2008 at 7:45 am
SparkyJ23 says:
@ Danny Bloom
Get over yourself ‘tard
There are photo’s of the twin towers all over the place - in movies, sitcoms etc
I’d probably say removing all traces of them is a greater sign of disrespect than leaving them as maybe a small tribute.
If they weren’t there what would you say? Exactly the same thing I expect.
Back on topic
JKidd for the point but i’d be open to go small with the 3 guards, lebron and kobe and just see what would happen.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am
SparkyJ23 says:
and in future Danny BLoom dont be the cunt spamming your shit
July 8th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
MSkittle says:
Kidd starting over Chris Paul after what CP3 did to him in the playoffs? I don’t think so.
July 26th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Babe Iverson says:
Kobe , Kidd , Anthony , James , Howard. This is the best starting 5 USA has. And my favorite players too!!!! But the question is………. can they beat Greece???????
August 4th, 2008 at 1:59 am
No BS says:
1. CP3
2. Kobe Beef
3. Bron
4. Melo
5. Howard
6. Wade
The rest can be mixed up and mixed in depending on the match up. Jkidd can just sit and be assistant coach or personal trainer of CP3 and D-Will.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
neeson says:
it would be chris paul not d wade is at the 6 because cp is one of the better point guard in the NBA.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Don says:
Hello,
May I suggest a link related to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games?
Our site:
URL: http://www.2008chinaolympics.com
Title: Beijing Olympics
Please let me know if you want a link back.
Many thanks for your reply.
Best Regards,
Don
chinaolympics8@gmail.com