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Introduction

After reading about how Team USA has been preforming I’ve begun to wonder if maybe I can put together a better team (out of NBA players) than Jerry Colangelo. He has plenty of experience as the former owner of the Suns  and his son is one of the best GM's in the league.

However, this “Dream Team” seems a bit too unorthodox to actually win the Gold. Don’t get me wrong, America produces the best individual players in the world, but our team’s lack cohesion. They all know they’re stars and are looking to do the best wow moves and most over the top dunks they can muster. Rather than simply looking to score every time down the floor, they are focusing on doing something spectacular. That causes turnovers and costs games.

They also have basically steam-rolled most of their opponents and that’s doing nothing but reinforcing the idea that the more flashy they are the better they’ll do. That’s why I think the best Team USA is not the one with the best individual players on the roster but the best team players.

So, as best I can, I’ll put together a roster that I think could win the Olympic gold in Beijing next year (note this assumes all the players I list agree to play).

First Team

Point Guard: Jason Kidd

Obviously, the best American point guard in the NBA today. He is the engine of the current Team USA and would be the engine of mine. He is by far the most pure of point guards in the league today. His court vision is on par with Steve Nash and only his injuries and Nash’s emergence have caused people to forget him. Kidd would be my starting point guard without question, USA Basketball was absolutely right with this one.

Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant

Another great choice. Say what you will about Kobe (and I certainly have) he may be the best all-around player in the league. Besides his obvious offensive abilities he plays good defense too. That’s a tool most offensive phenoms in the NBA today lack and something that is critical to winning in the international game.

Kobe Bryant is also willing to trade his offensive stats to play hard nosed defense. That is critical if you are to win the Gold Medal. Kobe’s understanding and acceptance of this sets him apart from many other NBA players. While he’s terribly selfish in the league, he has demonstrated that if he has faith in the players around him he’s willing to give up his shots.

Small Forward: Gerald Wallace

No, your eyes don’t deceive you. The above name is neither LeBron James nor Carmelo Anthony. King James and ‘Melo have shown they have tremendous offensive talent. James has improved his shooting ability and expanded his offensive tool chest but his defense is ever suspect. ‘Melo is tremendously overrated and thinks he’s much better than he actually is. Quite frankly, I would love to have Artest on the team but he’s been arrested yet again and just has far too many issues.

Wallace is a tenacious defender. He’ll get blocks and steals and command the boards. He can run the floor as good as anybody in the league and if left open can hit from just about anywhere. The best part would be watching him run the break with Jason Kidd, but his defensive presence near the basket would be his biggest addition to the team.

Gerald Wallace had a breakout season last year and is one of the best athletes in the league. He would do great things in international competition. He would add some toughness to a team of soft players and is more than willing to play bruising basketball. He could provide the highlight dunk we so crave while also giving us more substance (on both sides of the court) than either the King or Anthony.

Power Forward: Carlos Boozer

He would’ve been on the roster for the FIBA tournament if not for his wife’s pregnancy. He has proven in the past if he’s focused he can be a solid defender. He’s tough and effective around the rim. He can also hit a nice mid-range shot from time to time.

It was Boozer’s ability to command the paint that helped Utah defeat Golden State. They simply had no answer for his ability to score close to the bucket. That would be very effective against international squads because most of them carry big men who aren’t nearly as quick or athletic.

Boozer’s toughness would do well in the international game and I think he could be a stout defender with scorers around him. He’s also got very soft hands and could be very effective at the rim. His athleticism would help him beat the bigs most other countries would through at him and his hook-shot would also let him score against them. Boozer will help the real Team USA next year and I think he’s a big part of their potential success.

Center: Shaquille O’Neal

If I could have him I’ll take O’Neal over any other Center in the league. Could he hold up through the whole Olympic run? I think so. Shaq’s shown that when it counts he’s still extremely durable. Plus, he simply dominates most opponents in the NBA and would do that even more so in international play.

He would add so much to Team USA. He would simply intimidate the other centers and his size would bully them out of the way. If he wasn’t getting the rock and throwing it down he would be creating space for the slasher on the team. Maybe he’s old, but he’s still a force of nature and I would pit him against anybody.

Second Team

Point Guard: Chris Paul

Paul broke into the league and showed NBA veterans how the point position is supposed to be played. While he can create for himself he would rather create for others and that mentality is key to a good point guard. He has improved in his two seasons and has experience in the international game.

Chris Paul has been a gem for the Hornets and a pleasure to watch. He has great knowledge of the game and could command Team USA against the best of the world. With Kidd in front of him he would be awesome off the bench and would keep the offense running smoothly. Besides that, his willingness to defend other point guards would be a huge asset.

Shooting Guard: Dwayne Wade

This one, I think, is a no brainer. Wade has proven he can lead, he can score, he can pass, and he can defend. In a pinch, or as a different look, he could also man the point. D-Wade has proven he’s one of the best players in the league and maybe the best of his draft class.

Wade will be on the eventual Team USA as he should be. His talents are extremely useful to USA Basketball and he has proven he can play good team basketball. Wade’s talents will be critical to team USA’s success and his unselfishness will help them keep the ball moving.

Small Forward: Paul Pierce

Pierce is a solid player. He can create for himself and plays tough defense. He can run with the ball, play in the half court set, or create for himself. He’ll also attack the boards and look for a put back.

Pierce could go on the first team but I prefer Wallace’s athleticism. Pierce would add some good veteran leadership and be a great spark off the bench. With his offensive abilities and clutch ability he would be a great player to have on the floor in crunch time.

Power Forward: Rasheed Wallace

That’s right, I did it. ‘Sheed sometimes has an attitude problem but he’s still a top Power Forward. And he’s a true Power Forward. He ####s around down low and defends as well as the best of them. He can also score from anywhere on the floor.

Wallace gets a lot of technicals but that’s really why I like him. He’s aggressive and assertive. His toughness is rare in today’s kinder, gentler NBA and something necessary in real basketball. He’s another player that can run the floor or operate in the half court set. There are plenty of young guys coming up who will be superstars but Wallace is a proven talent and will add some attitude to Team USA.

Center: Marcus Camby

2006 Defensive Player of the Year and a true center. He’s a solid center and would be a great defensive asset. His offensive skills are a bit suspect but I think there’s enough scoring around him to make it a non-factor.

Camby is older but is still a formidable presence. Personally, for a Center, I will always take the powerhouse over the athlete. Camby is a stud and would intimidate his opponents in the paint. That’s what I want from my Center. He can also score when given the opportunity and can also run the floor with the team.

Two Additional Players

Michael Redd (Shooting Guard)

The team absolutely needs a lights-out shooter. The choice is really between Michael Redd and Mike Miller. While I love Miller’s offensive ability and the mismatches he creates, Redd’s a better all around player. He’s got the speed and a beautiful touch. He could be inserted at any point in the game and keep the other teams from clogging the lane.

Amare Stoudemire (Center/Forward)

Stoudemire makes this team for his athletic ability and defensive prowess. He can block shots like nobody’s business and has vastly improved his shooting touch. He can rebound and be tough on the block. No one in the international game (or maybe period) has the sheer ability than he does.

He’s mostly on here for his defense but his offense is useful too. His talent will have the opponents reeling and he’s another spark off the bench.

Conclusion

This roster isn’t superstar rich. No LeBron, no Carmelo. This team is older and tougher. This team is more team oriented and plays better defense. I think this is more what we need to compete on the international level. I think this roster is capable of playing team offense and team defense in ways the current makeup is not.

Whatever roster Team USA ends up with they should have a good shot at the Gold. We do have the best players and Coach K may be able to convince them to play team ball, but I think the above is a solid roster. There are some surprising names but I feel their contributions to the team would be invaluable. With this team I think we could finally reclaim what is rightfully ours: the Gold Medal in Men’s Basketball.

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