USA Scrimmage Discussion Thread
For the record IMO all 9 players on the white team will make the roster. The 3 from the Blue team I believe will be Billups, Love, and either Westbrook or Brook Lopez. IMO they are fine with just 1 center making the squad and from what I hear they like Chandler best.
It all depends on who can dictate tempo in this game. It would seem to me that the Blue team is going to want to slow things down a bit and pound it inside with Lopez and Love, but at the same time they do have Rondo, Westbrook and Gay who all excell in transition.
If the Blue team can defend, I think they will win, cuz the White team is going to shoot alot of jump shots. They basically have no inside presence to speak of, so if Blue can dictate tempo and force guys into contested jump shots I like their chances.
Already we can see how lost Rondo is when he's not handling the ball, it's tough to choose a guy who can only play 1 position especially when PG's are so stacked. Guys like Billups and Curry allow you to add an extra big or wing because they can play either guard spot.
It's so fun to watch Chandler when he's healthy, he's a monster protecting the lane especially with all of these guards flying around. I hope he can stay healthy, he brings a lot more game changing ability than Haywood. I think a good WC's will really boost him into the season.
I think Rondo is incredibly overrated. No jumper, lazy defense (has high steal stats because of gambling), and not versatile at all on offense. Deffensive strategies against him should be simple; stand 8 ft off him, dont let him get by you and you take him out of the game.
he belong in the scrimmage of course but i wouldnt take him in the game unless i really had to. hes not a half court factor and thats what other teams are gonna make the usa be just like they did on that tim duncan fiba team. dont get excited by a couple highlights
"Deffensive strategies against him should be simple; stand 8 ft off him, dont let him get by you and you take him out of the game."
That's what the Cavs did...How'd that work out?
Worked for the Lakers, HAHA...
But really, this game is sloppppppppppppy!!!
not impressed by this game not because of some of the sloppy mistakes but because teams arent gonna play us man to man. its gonna be zone and thats the defense the teams should be playing. maybe its because they arent good at it and dont know how to get back into it on transition defense.
No, it's nothing like what we'll see in the FIBA's. I've really been unimpressed with Lopez, Billups and Rondo, J. Green, none of them seem to have a clue what's going on, except Billups who just isn't trying very hard. I mean, way too many three pointers from everybody, surprised Lopez hasn't chucked one yet.
Rondo is so lost when Billups is controlling the ball, it's a wonder if he will make the cut or not, I think it would be suited better if they go with Rose and Billups.
The defense has to go to zone at some point, I would think!?! Because this scrimmage is helping no one at this point...
Gordon has looked really good, Granger's nice, and Durant's just being Durant, a Monster.
This game has no bearing on what the teams will look or play like in the actual FIBA, but it is a good berometer to see how they mesh together. And so far, the chemistry is non-exsistent, I guess time and practice will change that. Let's hope at least. I don't think they will win it though either way.
I think they should pick one of Rondo or Westbrook. And one of Mayo and Gordon. IMO Gordon should make it because of his shooting. Mayo is a better defender but if you take a Westbrook it's not that important. Mayo is the weakest shooting guard on the roster in front of Rondo and his style of driving won't work in international play.
I agree that Rondo is overrated- he was awesome against Cleveland in a couple of games, but outside of that he wasnt and isnt a top 5 pg in the NBA. He is overrated on defense, being on an all defensive team means absolutley nothing. For goodness sakes look at the All defensive team...its a popularity thing. He's a decent defender and a good PG, but he's been overrated...again Rondo lovers, its not a knock on him, just a statement.
I was disapointed with Westbrook and Billups tonight, from what I saw which was the whole 1st half and about half of the 3rd, westbrooks J looked like Shaqs free throws...and on a team with so much athletic guard personel, he doesnt stand out all that much and I think there are alot of guys who can do more along with being solid athletically. Billups looked like he didnt really give a damn, and maybe he doesnt. I would be suprised if he didnt make the team though, because he's been a really good player for a long time and is a really good floor general that would excell in euro play.
Kevin Love played very nicely, I think he's been overlooked big time by just about everybody, because I havent seen anybody on TV say "oh yeah I think Kevin Love will be this teams big guy" Its always been Tyson Chandler or Brook Lopez or even Javale Freaking Mcgee...I mean cmon, the guy did great in summer league play, but lets get serious here. What does he do besides throw down alot of dunks? He's big athletic and can dunk, which isnt really all that valuable on a team stacked with athletic run and jump guys who also bring other things to the table. Love is a good fit for this team, because he can rebound and his outlet passing could ignite some easy scoring oppurtunities that could swing favor in a game. He also can spread the floor with his mid range game, and he isnt a guy who needs plays run for him to be effective. He will do the dirty work.
Might as well start a thread for this. Game starts in 10 minutes on ESPN 2.
Rosters:
Blue Team:
PG: Chauncey Billups/Rajon Rondo/Russell Westbrook
SG: OJ Mayo
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Kevin Love/Jeff Green
C: Brook Lopez/Javale McGee
White Team:
PG: Derrick Rose/Stephen Curry
SG: Andre Iguodala/Eric Gordon
SF: Kevin Durant/Gerald Wallace/Danny Granger
PF: Lamar Odom
C: Tyson Chandler