After a long layoff from FOXBLOGCITY, and after drinking my share of PURA VIDAS and enjoying beautiful COSTA RICA with friends and my sizzling Stephanie... THE DIZZLE is BACK!
The 2007 edition of TEAM USA Basketball is about to play Venezuela tomorrow to kickstart the quest for gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
We certainly have some top talent on this summer's squad, but I am not convinced that this should be the team to represent our country next year against the likes of France, Argentina, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Spain. I do believe, however, that this team is better than the team that lost to Greece last summer in Japan because this time around KOBE replaces AI. Mr. Bryant is the real answer.
But there are still questions. Will TIM DUNCAN or THE MATRIX be in the red, white, and blue next year? What about the CELTIC TRIO? Will D-WADE be healthy enough? Does SHAQ give it one more go 'round or will GREG ODEN take his place? We can dream about the real DREAM TEAM, but we must use what we have at our disposal right now...
AIR KOBE, J-KIDD, BRON BRON, MELO MAN A, buh buh buh BILLUPS, AMARE, LEFTY REDD, HOWARD THE DUNK, DERON WILL.I.AMs, T-CHANDLER, MILLER MIKE and FRESH PRINCE OF COMPTON.
My crunch time starters are: PG- Kidd Magik, SG- Kobester, SF- Fresh Prince, PF- Amare, C- Howard the Dunk
Melo Man A, Chauncey, The King, and Lefty will head the second unit. Tyson, Will.I.AmS, and Miller Mike are there in case of foul trouble, much like THE LAKERS used Slava Medvedenko, Sasha Vujacic, and Devean George.
So tip off is tomorrow on NBA TV. Who are your STARTERS? Feel free to speak your mind.
Prince is a great defender, but you need a good shooter at all times. Miller fulfills that role better.
Melo should be the go-to guy whenever Kobe is not on the floor. Chauncey and D William will share the minutes backing up Kidd. If offense is needed, it's Amare + Howard. If defense is needed, it's Howard + Tyson.
If those soft foreigner decides to go total zone on us, then let's go small with Kidd, Redd, Kobe, LeBron, and Amare. This way, we will either run-n-gun with Kidd-Kobe-LeBron, or have Redd and Kobe be our designated shooter at half-court.
BBing168: Nice analysis on potential lineups. I like the zone lineup with Kidd, Kobe, LeBron, Redd, and Amare.
The reason I have Fresh Prince in the starting five is not only because of his defensive savvy, but his ability to slash and get alley oops provides more of a threat against the world, especially if they zone us. That's why I think he beat out Durant.
Prince also excels on the break and he can shut down the opponents best perimeter scorer. Think Ginobili, Peitrus, etc.
Kobe satisfies the shooting requirement since we all know he can score at any time from anywhere on the floor. Every other player now has a role...
Kidd- defense, distribute, and balance
Kobe- inside, outside, clutch, and timed scoring
Prince- defense, 3's, slash a la Pippen
Amare- intimidation and low post threat
Howard- intimidation, blocked shots, contain the middle, and power dunks
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on August 21st at 2:24 PM.
PG - Kidd - 1
SG - Kobe - 2
SF - Prince - 3
PF - Amare - 4
C - Howard
If the Internationals weren't such great outside shooters, I'd be tempted to go w/Chandler early for his defense, rebounding, and shot blocking, then Howard late. With the Internationals' looking to prove to the Americans that they too can penetrate the lane and get to the rim, Chandler could be a force.
It'll be interesting to see how Howard has developed since last summer's FIBA.
I agree with you on Howard's "international" development. I also really like Chandler's intense game down low and he may well lead the team in rebounding and blocks.
REVEREND: D-Wade could have actually played this summer, but I strongly believe that he sat out because he logged major minutes last summer in Japan only to have a season in the NBA marred by injury, consequently diminishing Miami's chances of a successful title run.
He's focusing on his health so he can return strong this season, and if he is asked to participate in the Olympics in '08 I'm sure he'll play.
But how does a coach manage minutes at two-guard with a lineup that could possibly feature Kobe, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, Wade, and maybe even Paul Pierce, Ben Gordon, Baron Davis, or Joe Johnson?
Hoffman: On paper, that's a strong lineup. However, I just don't think there are enough shots out there for Kobe, Lebron, and Melo if they are all on the court at the same time... even with Kid Magic on the floor. Plus I think with all that offensive firepower, Amare could end up getting lost in the mix and wind up playing confused basketball.
Carmelo and Lebron play essentially the same position. I would rather have them both come off the second unit, with Lebron playing Point Forward, Chauncey and Redd at guard, Melo at Power Forward, and Chandler at center.
I gotta go a little undersized when it comes to the olymipcs. The bigs on our roster might struggle with the outside shooting bigs that every other country puts in their 5.
I like Kobe, Kidd, Miller, Bron and Amare. I would play Lebron at the 4. Its unconventional but i think he is big enough and strong enough to play with the rest of the so called "bigs" that the rest of the world uses.
1-Kidd
2-Kobe
3-Miller
4-Bron
5-Amare
CHITOWNSFINEST: That's a pretty solid and balanced lineup.
However, I don't think that will work against Argentina, where you've got Luis Scola (6-10) and Oberto (6-10) on the frontline, or Spain, who has twin towers in the Gasol brothers. We've already tried to go small in the past and that hasn't seemed to work 100% in international play.
If we look at why TEAM USA was successful with Dream Teams 1-3, we will see that USA controlled the paint, dominated the boards, and intimidated inside.
That's the key because we won't be able to outshoot and outpass the internationals, but we cannot forget that we still have the size to take control inside and intimidate the competition. Once that happens consistently, then our outside play should open up.
Dizzle, Charley Rosen has an interseting article in which he discusses the US's big men and why they may struggle in the olympics. I would rather have a smaller lineup with one very athletic, defensively-able big man as my starting five.
People will think i am crazy for saying this, but i dont know if Lebron should be a starter. Most of his scoring comes from one on one, isolation type plays. I understand that so do Kobe, Carmelo and Redd, but they are also very capable shooters that can consistently knock down open shots. Lebron's shot is still very suspect, as we all saw in the finals and i think his defense could use some work as well. But seeing as there is nobody else on the roster with his mixture of size, strength and athleticism he is going to be a starter anyway.
my line up: kidd, Kobe, Melo, Amare, and Tyson.
2 top off the wood seat:
Miller: SG,SF
LBJ:PG,SG,SF
The has everthing you need for a zone or man to man. Let me say this, with Kobe on the floor it does not matter what they play. And we have already seen what Melo can do. It's a rap.
I'm a huge kobe fan and i sit here and just read what people have to say about kobe they rip for this they rip him for that it comes down to a lot of people dislike him because of the white girl in colorado screwed his image if the girl is black or hispanic it wouldnt be such a big issue.But you guys could say what ya want cause from what i see everybody still has him in the starting 5.
I prefer Chauncey, Redd, Kobe, Tyson, & Howard. Chauncey will get his pass on to an open Redd for the deep shots who'll be open consistently b/c of Kobe's penetration. Tyson will fill the lanes and get garbage buckets as he does and Howard should be able to out muscle anyone for put backs and dunks. Kidd, Mello, James, Prince, Amare. The second team will be the real killer b/c this is a matchup nightmare for any team. Kidd hitting Mello and James on the wings. What should happen is Mello would shoot and make most shots inside the three and a few outside. James should have no problem penetrating and dishing off to Prince who seems to lurk around the basket or the three pt. line and Amare should be able to get off anything he wants. The first squad on defense has a weak link with Tyson but he's a big oaf who will just be in the lane playing zone. Should work out for him b/c he doesn't have to think too much and Howard should be able to back him up. Redd may have problems with certain players but he should be ok. Billups and Kobe will do what they do. The second squad on defense should be just as good with Kidd being the weakest link but his basketball I.Q. should more than make up for it. I understand Williams being on the team. I can't for the life of me understand why Mike Miller is there, he's very avg, I suppose he could give someone relief.
Last edited by CrakaBakBlak on August 23rd at 5:23 AM.
PG - J-Kidd. Doesn't need to score to dominate, will set up the scorers with ease and can rebound well too.
SG - Kobe. no explanation necessary.
SF - LeBron. With the lack of bigs on the team, not to mention the foul propensity of the bigs we do have on the team, LBJ starts here and switches often with Melo defensively to buy minutes for Howard and Chandler when they get in. Passes well and is an open court nightmare.
PF - Melo. Zone buster extraordinaire, can be physical around the basket and rebound well. Will stretch the opposing defense by setting up outside often, providing lanes for penetration by Kidd, Kobe and LeBron - scary!
C- Amare. With his refined shooting touch around the basket and from 15 feet out, if he doesn't get into foul trouble early, Team USA could be up by 15 about 6 minutes in.
Don't be suprised if Tyson Chandler is one of the first off the bench. I fully expect to see LeBron and Tayshaun Prince used at the four spot strategically. Really, all 12 players could see time. Don't sleep on Mike Miller; when he gets his feet set behind the 3-point line and gets a good pass, it's a wrap.
We have to change our zone defense 2-3 not good for this. We are lacking of frontcourt presence. Either 3-2 so the corners will cover 3pt or 1-2-2 so we can rebound better, choose you poison in game, see what would be better.
how is it that J-kidd has not done anything lately, yet he is the starter over Chauncey or Deron. and all these other players that we are waiting on, if they are not hurt then why do they even have a chance to be on the team and they are not the ones that helped get to the Games. the starters should be Chauncey, Kobe, Labron, Melo, Howard.
PG- Kidd
He is the best point gaurd in the world sanz Nash, good on defense and is a triple double machine.
SG- Kobe
I try to think about how good Kobe was at the all star game and just hope he does the same for the olympic team. He just needs to ease up and know he has alot of help and talent around him.
SF- T.Prince
All around team player, is very good on D'
PF- Carmelo
Big enough to man up low post bigs, can shoot 3's which fits world competition.
C- Stoudemire
He is a difference maker, he can easily use his agility and strength to out maneuver Euro bigs.
Last edited by TommyAnthony on August 22nd at 11:34 AM.
J Dizzle
Team USA shouldn't have any problems in qualifying especially if they don't become complacent. The Argentinians won't be at full strength and will be experimenting with their squad. my own starting five would consist of ;
Kidd
Kobe
Stoudemire
Melo
Howard......
But they should be one real competition out there in this tournament .
Shame also about the death of T'wolves' Eddie Griffin. Hopefully it won't be from the results of DUI or some other illecit substance.
tophatal
Last edited by tophatal on August 22nd at 12:26 PM.
PG - J. Kidd
SG - Kobe
SF - LBJ
PF - Melo
C - Amare
Here you have the elite inside/mid-range/outside scorers with ya boy Jason Kidd to set them all up for the highlight. Substitute Melo and put in Dwight Howard at the 5 and you have some ferocious "D".
That's an explosive lineup on paper, but there is waaay to much offense. If your'e gonna have King James, Kobe, and Melo on the floor at the same time, then you play a defensive big man like Chandler instead of Stat. Balance in roles is going to be key for TEAM USA at all times on the floor.
CHITOWNSFINEST:
I see your point with the smaller lineup, but TEAM USA will still need to establish superiority inside. The internationals are no longer intimidated by us and they can run with us, even when Kobe, Lebron, and Melo are all on the floor at the same time. Once TEAM USA generates that intimidation factor again, then we can dominate like we used to. Unfortuantely, we may need KG, Shaq, and TD to do that.
I like that lineup. It was actually my second choice.
ITSABOUTIME:
ANother interesting lineup with Amare and Tyson on the floor at the same time. Great for defense. I'm not so sure, however, on Melo and Kobe starting together simply because they have really similar styles of play.
I'd much rather have Lebron and Melo run together with the second unit because Lebron can play more of a point forward. Then you run Kobe and Redd/Miller together to get some inside-outside action with Kobe penetrating and kicking to his shooters.
I'm not surprised at all that nobody has really picked Tay Prince to start. WHat people don't realize is that Prince can play so many positions that he would be a perfect fit playing alongside Kidd and Kobe, much like Pippen fit in perfectly with Magic and Jordan in the '92 Olympics.
Thanks for stopping by!
AK47SPIDERMAN:
Your second team will be a fast-break nightmare for the internationals!! If Coach K uses that lineup, we will be sure to get countless alley-oops, further demoralizing the competition.
It's all good for KOBE. Everyone, including the NBA fraternity, pretty much respects his game and considers him as the best there is.
The media will slowly begin to change its tune in the next couple years when they realize how great he is for the game. Trust me, Kobe is the next MJ even if he doesn't wind up with another ring!
MACZAKE:
THis is perhaps the most popular choice for the starting five.
Interesting mix of lineups. I like the Billups, Redd, and Kobe trio because you get a solid ball handler and scorer in Chauncey while Redd floats the perimeter and Kobe can pretty much open things up for everybody else with his ability to get into the lane. All three players are clutch as well. And with Tyson and Howard manning the post inside, we would be hard to stop.
The second team of Kidd, Melo, James, Prince, and Amare is soft defensively but would be a terror against the smaller teams. My only concern with this team is its lack of size inside. Yao Ming, Pau Gasol, and Dirk (although they won't be playing in this tourney) could easily score 40 on this bunch. This lineup would be good for parts of the game when we are up big.
UC IRVINE graduate and proud to be an ANTEATER. My claim to fame is having played against the likes of Tayshaun and Tommie Prince, Jacque Vaughn, and Charles O'Bannon, plus getting dunked on by Schea Cotton in a CIF second round match in the nineties.
WIDELY KNOWN on FOX as one of the most biased LAKER HOMERS in blog history, highly criticized for hating on the PHOENIX SUNS fan base, and has been told on more than one occasion that LAMAR ODOM isn't worth the suit he's wearing.
Believe that "excellence is not an act but a habit."
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This is the Way of the Dragon. Embrace it.
