Team USA
When one mentions USA basketball one word should come to mind. Domination. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case thanks to the past two outings of the USA national team on the world stage. It started in 2002 during the FIBA World Championships. A team consisting of stars such as Baron Davis, Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace, Reggie Miller, and Raef Lafrentz? The team finished an embarrassing sixth place in the tournament losing 3 of its last 5 games. This effectively ended a 58 game winning streak the U.S. held in International competition.
However, the free fall from world domination continued two years later in Athens, Greece at the 2004 Summer Olympics. David Stern organized a group of players led by Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Lebron James, Allen Iverson, and Tim Duncan to compete in the 2004 Olympics. He also chose coaching guru, at the time, Larry Brown to guide this team through the Olympic games. Unlike the 2002 World Championships, the United States faltered from the beginning with a humiliating 19-point beatdown by lowly Puerto Rico. The team struggled through the rest of the games and finished a disappointing third place.
What many people thought as a one-time occurrence after the 2002 World Championships was turned into a fear after the Olympic games? Could it be that the rest of the world has caught up, if not passed the United States? How did this happen? How can we change this? These were all questions people began to ask following the disappointment of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
“Has the rest of the world caught up to the United States in basketball?”
The answer is simply, no. The rest of the world has closed the gap, but they are still far from challenging the United States to the right of being the best basketball nation. Looking at the NBA today you can see the impact foreign players are having on the game. Here are just a few of the International players who have made an impact in the NBA: Dirk of Germany, Pau Gasol of Spain, Manu Ginobli of Argentina, Yao Ming of China, Tony Parker of France, George Muresan of Romania, and Rik Smits of the Netherlands. Just kidding about those last two. If you notice though, no country on there can boast many more all stars in the NBA. Sure, France has Diaw, Spain has Vazquez and Rodriguez, but what other country can boast the amount of bon a fide superstars that the United States has? The answer is no one. The United States still, and probably always will remain, the basketball Mecca of the world.
“How did the rest of the world start closing the gap?”
Even though we still remain the best country overall, the gap has been and is being closed. Why is this? Because the sport of basketball is rapidly growing in popularity through out the world. Thanks to David Stern’s Basketball without Boarders campaign, the availability of NBA games in other countries, and the emergence of foreign superstars people everywhere are being exposed to the game of basketball. It used to be children in Europe and Asia did not have a local basketball player to idolize, soccer was king. However, with the emergence of players like Dirk, Parker, and Gasol kids in these countries have a player to idolize and emulate on the court and reason to follow the game of basketball.
This is not the only reason the Americans have been struggling in International play lately either. Another reason is because we aren’t sending our best players to the competitions. Where are Kobe, Shaq, and KG? We have sent second tier superstars in their place. Now, these players are still better than foreign competition on paper, but they are not the type of players you want to have on a team competing in international basketball. The international game is much different from the American game. The past two teams have lacked players who could thrive in the international system. For example, a three-point shooter makes playing the international game much easier. On our 2004 Olympic team, the best three-point shooter on the team was Richard Jefferson who is a career 32% three-point shooter. The team should have been built with a three-point specialist, a defensive stopper, and mobile center with a mid-range game. None of these criteria were met on the 2002 and 2004 national teams. This also played a contributing factor to the alleged American fall from dominance.
“How can we change this?”
David Stern, who I feel to be one of the greatest commissioners of all time (that’s another article), has taken the appropriate steps to ensuring a turnaround in the upcoming 2006 FIBA World Championships. Stern appointed Duke head coach and basketball genius Mike Krzyzewski to coach the 2006 U.S. National team. Coach K held tryouts in Las Vegas to determine who would field the 15 man, 12 active, roster who would represent the United States. These players who were chosen to tryout effectively committed their services to the U.S. national team for a certain number of years. Coach K did a tremendous job in determining who made the cut and has fielded a team that I feel will easily sweep through the World Championships.
The team roster looks like this:
PG Kirk Hinrich – One of the few true point guards left in the NBA. He is an excellent floor general who can score when called upon and can distribute the ball with the best of them; this is something Team USA has not had recently. His game adapts very well to the International style of play, and his unselfish play and ability to create will make the job of other players much easier.
PG Chris Paul – Paul is the reigning Rookie of the Year in the NBA. He is lightning quick, fearless, a great passer, and an exciting player to watch. He will bring solid point guard skills and some youth and energy to the team.
PG/SG Gilbert Arenas – Gilbert is a rising star in the NBA. He is one of the best scorers in the league and will provide the team with a much-needed outside threat.
PG/SG Dwayne Wade – Dwayne is quickly becoming the most recognizable name in the NBA next to Lebron James. Wade knows what it takes to win, and will do everything in his power to ensure that his team will win. He brings tremendous playmaking ability and more athleticism to the team.
SG/SF Joe Johnson – Joe Johnson provides more three-point capability to Team USA. Johnson surfaced as one of the leagues premiere shooters in the run and gun offense of the Phoenix Suns. Team USA has the capability to play that style of play so look out for Johnson in the fast break situations for three.
SF Carmello Anthony – Carmello Anthony is one of the premiere clutch shooters in the league. He will provide more athleticism and downtown capability to this team. Also, if the team is ever in need of a clutch three expect to see Carmello stepping up and hitting
It.
SF Lebron James – Lebron, along with Dwade could be the catalyst of Team USA. He is one of the most electrifying players in the game and still has 10 years left before people start talking about him reaching the end of his prime. Lebron brings everything to the court for Team USA and will be a key part to the success of the team.
SF Bruce Bowen – Bowen is the defensive stopper the team desperately needs. Bowen has a reputation around the NBA for being able to get it done when it comes to shutting down an opponent. Although he may not be the cleanest player in the league, he’s crafty enough to accomplish it without getting in trouble.
SF Shane Battier – Battier isn’t the most exciting, athletic, or most fun to watch player on the team, but he will do all the little things necessary to ensure a victory for Team USA. Shane does not excel in any one area, but does everything well and he will provide much needed hustle for the team.
SF Antawn Jamison – Jamison will bring much needed veteran leadership and a good mid-range game to the team.
PF Chris Bosh – Bosh will provide low post scoring, shot blocking, and rebounding on the post.
PF Elton Brand – Brand is one of the best scoring forwards in the NBA. He has a respectable mid-range game and a bevy of low post moves that can net him easy baskets during this tournament. Expect Brand to have quite a few double doubles in this tournament.
F/C Dwight Howard – Howard is probably the best rebounder on the team, and will not be afraid of anyone in these games. Howard will be put in there to get rebounds and play tough interior defense.
C Brad Miller – Miller is the ideal center for the international game. He is tall, passes well, good mid-range game, can play down low, and can rebound when called upon. Miller will cause some match up problems during the tournament and could possibly be a triple-double threat if used correctly.
C Amare Stoudamire – Amare is the best center in the league. He is athletic, strong, a great shot blocker, can rebound, and will score against anyone in the league. Even though he is coming off a season long injury, expect Amare to play with heart and energy throughout the tournament.
This lineup contains the perfect balance of athleticism and poise, slashing ability and three point capability, and youth and veteran savvy it takes to win the FIBA World Championships. Coach K has made it clear that the U.S. isn’t going to just win every game of the tournament, but demolish the competition every quarter. I fully expect this team to do just so, and bring the United States back to its rightful spot as the best basketball nation in the world.
However, the free fall from world domination continued two years later in Athens, Greece at the 2004 Summer Olympics. David Stern organized a group of players led by Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Lebron James, Allen Iverson, and Tim Duncan to compete in the 2004 Olympics. He also chose coaching guru, at the time, Larry Brown to guide this team through the Olympic games. Unlike the 2002 World Championships, the United States faltered from the beginning with a humiliating 19-point beatdown by lowly Puerto Rico. The team struggled through the rest of the games and finished a disappointing third place.
What many people thought as a one-time occurrence after the 2002 World Championships was turned into a fear after the Olympic games? Could it be that the rest of the world has caught up, if not passed the United States? How did this happen? How can we change this? These were all questions people began to ask following the disappointment of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
“Has the rest of the world caught up to the United States in basketball?”
The answer is simply, no. The rest of the world has closed the gap, but they are still far from challenging the United States to the right of being the best basketball nation. Looking at the NBA today you can see the impact foreign players are having on the game. Here are just a few of the International players who have made an impact in the NBA: Dirk of Germany, Pau Gasol of Spain, Manu Ginobli of Argentina, Yao Ming of China, Tony Parker of France, George Muresan of Romania, and Rik Smits of the Netherlands. Just kidding about those last two. If you notice though, no country on there can boast many more all stars in the NBA. Sure, France has Diaw, Spain has Vazquez and Rodriguez, but what other country can boast the amount of bon a fide superstars that the United States has? The answer is no one. The United States still, and probably always will remain, the basketball Mecca of the world.
“How did the rest of the world start closing the gap?”
Even though we still remain the best country overall, the gap has been and is being closed. Why is this? Because the sport of basketball is rapidly growing in popularity through out the world. Thanks to David Stern’s Basketball without Boarders campaign, the availability of NBA games in other countries, and the emergence of foreign superstars people everywhere are being exposed to the game of basketball. It used to be children in Europe and Asia did not have a local basketball player to idolize, soccer was king. However, with the emergence of players like Dirk, Parker, and Gasol kids in these countries have a player to idolize and emulate on the court and reason to follow the game of basketball.
This is not the only reason the Americans have been struggling in International play lately either. Another reason is because we aren’t sending our best players to the competitions. Where are Kobe, Shaq, and KG? We have sent second tier superstars in their place. Now, these players are still better than foreign competition on paper, but they are not the type of players you want to have on a team competing in international basketball. The international game is much different from the American game. The past two teams have lacked players who could thrive in the international system. For example, a three-point shooter makes playing the international game much easier. On our 2004 Olympic team, the best three-point shooter on the team was Richard Jefferson who is a career 32% three-point shooter. The team should have been built with a three-point specialist, a defensive stopper, and mobile center with a mid-range game. None of these criteria were met on the 2002 and 2004 national teams. This also played a contributing factor to the alleged American fall from dominance.
“How can we change this?”
David Stern, who I feel to be one of the greatest commissioners of all time (that’s another article), has taken the appropriate steps to ensuring a turnaround in the upcoming 2006 FIBA World Championships. Stern appointed Duke head coach and basketball genius Mike Krzyzewski to coach the 2006 U.S. National team. Coach K held tryouts in Las Vegas to determine who would field the 15 man, 12 active, roster who would represent the United States. These players who were chosen to tryout effectively committed their services to the U.S. national team for a certain number of years. Coach K did a tremendous job in determining who made the cut and has fielded a team that I feel will easily sweep through the World Championships.
The team roster looks like this:
PG Kirk Hinrich – One of the few true point guards left in the NBA. He is an excellent floor general who can score when called upon and can distribute the ball with the best of them; this is something Team USA has not had recently. His game adapts very well to the International style of play, and his unselfish play and ability to create will make the job of other players much easier.
PG Chris Paul – Paul is the reigning Rookie of the Year in the NBA. He is lightning quick, fearless, a great passer, and an exciting player to watch. He will bring solid point guard skills and some youth and energy to the team.
PG/SG Gilbert Arenas – Gilbert is a rising star in the NBA. He is one of the best scorers in the league and will provide the team with a much-needed outside threat.
PG/SG Dwayne Wade – Dwayne is quickly becoming the most recognizable name in the NBA next to Lebron James. Wade knows what it takes to win, and will do everything in his power to ensure that his team will win. He brings tremendous playmaking ability and more athleticism to the team.
SG/SF Joe Johnson – Joe Johnson provides more three-point capability to Team USA. Johnson surfaced as one of the leagues premiere shooters in the run and gun offense of the Phoenix Suns. Team USA has the capability to play that style of play so look out for Johnson in the fast break situations for three.
SF Carmello Anthony – Carmello Anthony is one of the premiere clutch shooters in the league. He will provide more athleticism and downtown capability to this team. Also, if the team is ever in need of a clutch three expect to see Carmello stepping up and hitting
It.
SF Lebron James – Lebron, along with Dwade could be the catalyst of Team USA. He is one of the most electrifying players in the game and still has 10 years left before people start talking about him reaching the end of his prime. Lebron brings everything to the court for Team USA and will be a key part to the success of the team.
SF Bruce Bowen – Bowen is the defensive stopper the team desperately needs. Bowen has a reputation around the NBA for being able to get it done when it comes to shutting down an opponent. Although he may not be the cleanest player in the league, he’s crafty enough to accomplish it without getting in trouble.
SF Shane Battier – Battier isn’t the most exciting, athletic, or most fun to watch player on the team, but he will do all the little things necessary to ensure a victory for Team USA. Shane does not excel in any one area, but does everything well and he will provide much needed hustle for the team.
SF Antawn Jamison – Jamison will bring much needed veteran leadership and a good mid-range game to the team.
PF Chris Bosh – Bosh will provide low post scoring, shot blocking, and rebounding on the post.
PF Elton Brand – Brand is one of the best scoring forwards in the NBA. He has a respectable mid-range game and a bevy of low post moves that can net him easy baskets during this tournament. Expect Brand to have quite a few double doubles in this tournament.
F/C Dwight Howard – Howard is probably the best rebounder on the team, and will not be afraid of anyone in these games. Howard will be put in there to get rebounds and play tough interior defense.
C Brad Miller – Miller is the ideal center for the international game. He is tall, passes well, good mid-range game, can play down low, and can rebound when called upon. Miller will cause some match up problems during the tournament and could possibly be a triple-double threat if used correctly.
C Amare Stoudamire – Amare is the best center in the league. He is athletic, strong, a great shot blocker, can rebound, and will score against anyone in the league. Even though he is coming off a season long injury, expect Amare to play with heart and energy throughout the tournament.
This lineup contains the perfect balance of athleticism and poise, slashing ability and three point capability, and youth and veteran savvy it takes to win the FIBA World Championships. Coach K has made it clear that the U.S. isn’t going to just win every game of the tournament, but demolish the competition every quarter. I fully expect this team to do just so, and bring the United States back to its rightful spot as the best basketball nation in the world.
posted by Jason Smith at 1:59 AM
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