Who would you pick last from the U.S. Olympic team?
Where does Deron rank?Remember when Team USA was supposed to bring a balanced collection of superstars and role players to the 2008 Olympics? Not saying this current version of the U.S. squad isn’t working out perfectly fine, but when the three-year program was introduced that would culminate in Beijing, many were envisioning a team that would include guys like Bruce Bowen (defensive specialist), Brad Miller (passing big man with a jumper), maybe even J.J. Redick (three-point sniper).
As it stands, the U.S. roster has no fewer than 11 “franchise”-types, with Tayshaun Prince being the one clear exception. Everyone else — Kobe, LeBron, CP, Bosh, D-Wade, etc. — is the #1 guy on their squad or, in the cases of Jason Kidd and the Utah duo of Boozer and Deron Williams, at worst the #2 guy.
If you were running an NBA franchise and the opportunity presented itself, which Team USA player would be your last pick? Who would be second-to-last? On the flip side, who would you take first?
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July 31st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
me says:
first
July 31st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
me says:
prince would be last.
melo would be second to last. (one dimensional ballhog)
first? hmmmmm,i guess lebron, but my fave on that team is deron.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
bigdoggchad says:
(1st to last)
LeBron, Kobe, Melo, CP3, Dwight, D-Wade, D-Will, Bosh, Boozer, Kidd, and Tayshaun
July 31st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
me says:
last to first- Prince,Melo,Bosh,Boozer,Kidd,Howard,Wade,CP3,Kobe,D-Will,Lebron.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
me says:
Forgot Redd (he’s on there right?) He’d go between Bosh and Boozer.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
sans says:
Bron would be first for sure. Last would be Boozer. 2nd to last would be Tayshaun. And, seriously, Chris Bosh would be gone if KG and Big Fundy wanted in.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
last Tayshaun
second to last Redd
first LeBron
July 31st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
sans says:
I think Redd would stick higher up–teams need shooters.
Dime, why y’all got to be hating on Deron like that? No one picks him off first. I think anybody would rather have Deron over Kidd at this point.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
fiyaman says:
1st to last
CP3, Kobe, Bron, Wade, Kidd, Dwight, Bosh, DWill, Melo, Redd, Tayshaun, Boozer
IMO Boozer is way overrated so is Prince.. and I always say the PG is the key to a gd team
July 31st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
TJ says:
Kidd for sure. All the rest are in their primes.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
JJ Reddick! Hahaahaha!
@Me- Melo is one of the capitains and probably the best scorer on the team and possibly in the world in international play.
….and I’m a Kobe guy
July 31st, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Celts Fan says:
1st to last, assuming we’re talking long-term and not just for 1 year:
LeBron, Dwight, Kobe (see the Shaq discussion in an earlier post between me, LakeShow, and Matarizo for an explanation why I’d give it to Dwight, just know, if they were both 22, it’d be Kobe before Dwight) CP3, Deron, DWade, Bosh, Boozer, Redd, Tayshaun, Kidd (he’s old, Tayshaun would be last for just 1 year, but if we’re saying to have on your franchise long-term, I’d take Kidd last cuz Tayshaun’s still young.)
Since I’m having way too much fun with this, the list if it was just for next year:
Kobe, LeBron, CP3, tie Deron/Dwight (right now, he’s a much better Marcus Camby, in 3 years, he should be hitting his prime – scary since he’s already a BEAST -, have some post moves/jumper, and cementing a spot in the top 10 centers ever,) Wade, Bosh, Kidd, Boozer, Redd, Tayshaun.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
CJ says:
Running a franchise this how I’d break it down. Kidd is washed up and old, no way am I trusting a 35yr old with no jumper with my franchise. As for the plummet of Wade and Melo, they don’t make their teammates and teams better the way the guys before them do. And it was tough choosing between Boozer or Tayshaun, Tayshaun may be very very underrated.
Lebron, CP3, Dwight, Kobe, Williams, Bosh, Wade, Melo, Redd, Boozer, Tayshaun, Kidd
July 31st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
CJ says:
I like your list Celts.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Kudabeen says:
Off Topic:
I’m sitting at work (One of the top 3 Asset Management/Fianancial companies in the world)
It’s a celebration, so it’s all types of people visiting and all. One of the Principles walks by and he and a group of guys start mocking athletes and how ridiculous they are with money. “Stay away from those types” “Hey I just brought two escalades and I need to get some Cristol, I’m going to the club tonight”
Just weird to hear at times, because I wonder what’s really behind it. If you never had do you ever really learn how to appreciate it’s fragility and how to take care of it?
Just an aside…felt discomfort and wanted to share…
July 31st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
bigdoggchad says:
I think Me is a Jazz fan. He had Melo to low and D-Will way to high.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:13 pm
that's whats up says:
marbury
July 31st, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Kudabeen says:
As currently configured in 2008, Kidds age and inability to really execute in the half court would make me take him last, especially with CP3/Deron out there. Tayshaun would be second to last. LeBron First.
Guess I’ll to the list
LeBron – Too Big. Too Quick. Too Young to even put a ceiling on his game..
CP3 – Makes the mules around him look like stallions…
Dwight – Love his energy and desire to keep working. Doesn’t rest on having mirror muscles…
Kobe – Best skills, but is a bit too temperamental at times
Wade – “The Takeover 2004″ that playoff run was crazy
Deron – can be a beast of a guard if he had the horses
Melo – Don’t lock down when it counts. He hits shots, but there is more to it…
Bosh – versatile double double, but fades in contact
Boozer – double double guy with touch
Redd – Great shooter and actually does a few other things
Tayshaun – Great D, versatile, but build a team around?
Kidd – age/fading half-court ability
July 31st, 2008 at 5:16 pm
aaron says:
deron, mike redd, tayshaun, boozer, and bosh as the 2nd team. Bring them in to start the 2nd quarter, play that D with two inside options. Dangerous. Anyway I’d pick Redd last.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Kudabeen says:
WADE The Takeover 2006…I’m Trippin…
July 31st, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
First-King James(the best player in the world check my username)
second to last-Boozer (people compare him to The Mailman I don’t see it)
Last-Tayshaun-Would be last because I love Lebron and I love the sixers and I HATE the Pistons
July 31st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Borgs says:
Last: Jason Kidd – he’s nearly done.
Second-last: Tayshaun Prince – franchise player?!
First: LeBron James/Dwight Howard – duh. I’d be ecstatic with either.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
daquest?on says:
@ sans, tim duncan was not invited
July 31st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
me says:
Melo is trash. He can score. that’s it. He’s a slower, taller ricky davis with more ego, a bigger contract and a starting spot. Hell i’d pick ricky davis before him.
I’m not a jazz fan, But I am from Illinois. Even though he gets SOME love,D-Will is THE most underrated PG currently in the league. I’d take him before chris paul.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:06 pm
me says:
Put D-will on the lakers and the lakers take the Celts in 5.
Put him on there last year and they at least make conference finals.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:08 pm
doc says:
If I was running a franchise Bron,Dwight,Kobe,CP3,D-Will,Wade,Melo,Bosh,Redd,Boozer,Prince,Kidd
July 31st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Smooth says:
Yo DIME you gotta check out this video its from ibeatyou chanllenge for best movie trailer its Baron Davis & Steve Nash doing a trailer for the film step brothers check it out its real good & funny :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Od4H9uIJ8
July 31st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
AB_40 says:
last boozer, seccond last redd first LeBron
July 31st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
daquest?on says:
is that really steve nash dancing or a double????? if thats steve nash damnn he can dance
July 31st, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
anyone watch PTI on espn today? they interviewed ron artest and dude didn’t sound half bad. seems legitly excited. Finally a good look for ron.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Three Stacks says:
Prince would be last, and it isn’t even close.
And CP3 would be my first choice. When you factor in his age, the sparse availability of elite players at his position, and the fact that he might get better, he’s hard to pass up.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:51 pm
doc says:
I seen him on there Bron.He ready to ball.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
JC says:
@Bron — he was on the radio here in Sacto last night saying all the right things, but if i remember correctly he was walking the streets of Queens with the Maloofs rocking “tru warrior” jerseys when he came to the kings…
Ron is nutso, an athlete, a defender, and strong as an ox… but nutso. He was calling himself a “Yao Ming Soldier” and all that. Random stuff… Good in the short run till the nutso kicks in.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:40 pm
KT says:
tayshaun would be my last pick, next would be michael redd. First would be LBJ, but melo would be first if it were for FIBA purposes. I’d take Kobe second
August 1st, 2008 at 12:31 am
Dagomar says:
Lebron, Dwight, Paul, Kobe, Deron, Bosh, Wade, Melo, Boozer, Redd, Prince, Kidd.
Reasoning: Lebron is the best player in the game and has upside to be the best player ever. Dwight’s a dominant young C and most times you gotta go with size. Paul’s the best PG in the league now and has the upside to be one of the best ever, and PG could be the most important position. Kobe might have more talent than anyone but he’s basically 30 and sometimes a ball stopper. Deron’s got size at the point and he’s almost as good as Paul. Bosh is a franchise PF with the upside to be as good as KG someday (if lacking that intensity). Wade would be ahead of Bosh if I was 100% sure he was fully recovered (looking good right now). Melo’s a stud but has some character problems and is too one-dimensional. Boozer’s a 20/10 big man but can be inconsistent and he’s undersized. Redd is a great shooter but doesn’t have enough to the rest of his game to be a franchise player. Prince is a killer third-best player, but no more. Finally Kidd, while still good, is declining fast and can’t shoot.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:01 am
kb24! says:
You guys are retarded…not picking Kobe first is like not picking Jordan first in his era..
August 1st, 2008 at 6:46 am
shake&bake says:
If Kobe is Jordan of this era and LeBron is waiting to take that over. Who was Jordan’s LeBron? Was it Kobe (too young), or Grant Hill before the injuries?
August 1st, 2008 at 8:43 am
Dagomar says:
shake&bake: it was Bias; unfortunately he died before his first season.
August 1st, 2008 at 11:25 am
parker says:
CP3, d-howard, lebron, kobe, dwade….thats if we are talking about just winning games
Lebron, Kobe, cp3, d-howard, dwade….thats if Im running my team more like a business