Pick your 2020 Olympic Roster

[tlance]

and his plan also consists of guys who wouldn't even sniff the NBA. At least when they sent college kids those were NBA level players. I do think his plan might have worked back then....but not when other teams are bringing in NBA talent.

Pros who are fringe NBA level, but train together and practice together beat the college all star team 9 times out of 10.

Maybe 10 out of 10 in the 1 and done era.

Because you aren’t getting the best talent on that college team either.

 

[tlance]

Has the team who just beat the US been constructed like that? They had 4 NBA players, I believe, and doubt they've been practicing too long.

Also, you gonna turn down an elite talent who WANTS to play?

Other countries don’t have enough talent to build a contending team like that.

USA does.

And if our guys practice together and play exhibitions for months, I think the result could end up being better than an all star team.

At least in non-Olympic years when the top guys all opt out.

 

[dtgold88]

Pros who are fringe NBA level, but train together and practice together beat the college all star team 9 times out of 10.

Maybe 10 out of 10 in the 1 and done era.

Because you aren’t getting the best talent on that college team either.

I mean, didn't those college teams win every year but 2 times (and 1 time were robbed)?

 

[dtgold88]

Other countries don’t have enough talent to build a contending team like that.

USA does.

And if our guys practice together and play exhibitions for months, I think the result could end up being better than an all star team.

At least in non-Olympic years when the top guys all opt out.

If you are talking 11-15 guys on a roster maybe. G Leaguers who never make an NBA roster? Not so sure.

 

[tlance]

I mean, didn't those college teams win every year but 2 times (and 1 time were robbed)?

Different era. International competition wasn’t that strong back then. Top College players were more experienced.

Our college guys aren’t as good, and their players are a lot better.

 

[tlance]

If you are talking 11-15 guys on a roster maybe. G Leaguers who never make an NBA roster? Not so sure.

Here is the thing. Part of my viewpoint comes from my overall opinion of NBA stars playing on team USA.

It was great when we blew everyone away. But now that the comp is tougher, it really is a lose/lose.

Our guys are always expected to win, even with a roster of C-list misfits. When they do, we’ll, they were supposed to. When they don’t, especially with the A-listers in the Olympics it is pretty embarrassing.

So scrap it!

I am not saying my idea would produce gold every year, but I do think a program built the right way would be in medal contention year in and year out.

Sometimes they would fall short, sometimes they would win it all. And if they were able to work a deal out to play exhibitions against NBA teams, we would still get to know all the players representing USA very well.

 

[dtgold88]

Here is the thing. Part of my viewpoint comes from my overall opinion of NBA stars playing on team USA.

It was great when we blew everyone away. But now that the comp is tougher, it really is a lose/lose.

Our guys are always expected to win, even with a roster of C-list misfits. When they do, we’ll, they were supposed to. When they don’t, especially with the A-listers in the Olympics it is pretty embarrassing.

So scrap it!

I am not saying my idea would produce gold every year, but I do think a program built the right way would be in medal contention year in and year out.

Sometimes they would fall short, sometimes they would win it all. And if they were able to work a deal out to play exhibitions against NBA teams, we would still get to know all the players representing USA very well.

Guess the question is how much you'd pay them to forgo their NBA dream if they are truly fringe NBA players. Have to believe that level player - right or wrong - thinks he can make it in the NBA.

 

[tlance]

Guess the question is how much you'd pay them to forgo their NBA dream if they are truly fringe NBA players. Have to believe that level player - right or wrong - thinks he can make it in the NBA.

Playing on team USA would be a springboard for that, IMO.

1 year commitment. Think top players would basically assure some NBA interest.

 

[bksballer89]

If you guys need something to watch, team USA in their 2nd exhibition now on NBCSN

 

[bksballer89]

Nigeria not bad at all

 

[bksballer89]

Had no idea Thybulle from Philly is Australian.

This team would have been really good with Ben Simmons

 

[bksballer89]

I would like to see very little Zach Lavine once Middleton and Booker join this team

 

[bksballer89]

I see lots of issues with this USA team on defense

 

[bksballer89]

Yeah this team going to have real struggle winning GOLD

 

[bksballer89]

To @tlance point yesterday, the commentators said this Aussie team been playing together for years. With the rest of the world getting better and better, we may need to have a more consistent group. This whole throwing a group who never played together 2-3 weeks before the olympics/FIBA world championships and thinking you can continue to get gold is not smart

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Dame Dolla might be Discount Dolla now.

Blazers should quickly sell high

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

 

[wildturkey]

EVERYBODY PANIC!

 

[bksballer89]

EVERYBODY PANIC!

Not yet. They have 3 important pieces coming. Booker and Middleton bring more to the table than Lavine while Holiday will hands down be the best perimeter defender on the club

 

[tlance]

To @tlance point yesterday, the commentators said this Aussie team been playing together for years. With the rest of the world getting better and better, we may need to have a more consistent group. This whole throwing a group who never played together 2-3 weeks before the olympics/FIBA world championships and thinking you can continue to get gold is not smart

And even more than that, I find it embarrassing when we send KD, Dame, etc and don’t win.

We probably wouldn’t be favorites with a team of no names, but we would still have a good shot if they had established chemistry.