30 finalists for US Olympic Team

 I agree with all but one. Subtract Green, add Westbrook. 

 I agree with all but one. Subtract Green, add Westbrook. 

 My team would look like this:

PG: Curry, CP3, Westbrook

SG: Thompson, George

SF: Kawhi, Lebron, Durant

PF: Davis, Griffin

C: Cousins, Drummand

Honorable Mention: Draymond Green swap for Griffin

 

 My team would look like this:

PG: Curry, CP3, Westbrook

SG: Thompson, George

SF: Kawhi, Lebron, Durant

PF: Davis, Griffin

C: Cousins, Drummand

Honorable Mention: Draymond Green swap for Griffin

 

PG Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook

SG Klay Thompson, James Harden

SF Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George 

PF Lebron James, Blake Griffin

C Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond

 An emphasis on being able to play small ball and spacing the floor. I know Melo has always played great internationally but I just don’t think he’s a top 12 player in the league right now. I feel worse leaving Wall, Butler, Green, Aldridge and Cousins off the team.

It’s too bad that Lillard, Lowry, Middleton and Millsap didn’t make the squad of finalists (I would personally probably have them over Kyrie, Conley, Barnes and Faried) but we have so much depth it becomes a numbers game. 

PG Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook

SG Klay Thompson, James Harden

SF Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George 

PF Lebron James, Blake Griffin

C Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond

 An emphasis on being able to play small ball and spacing the floor. I know Melo has always played great internationally but I just don’t think he’s a top 12 player in the league right now. I feel worse leaving Wall, Butler, Green, Aldridge and Cousins off the team.

It’s too bad that Lillard, Lowry, Middleton and Millsap didn’t make the squad of finalists (I would personally probably have them over Kyrie, Conley, Barnes and Faried) but we have so much depth it becomes a numbers game. 

Coach K usually chooses an olympic team that first is (a team) and just like the increasingly position-less NBA usually picks either the best player at their position or you have to be the best at a particular skill (like shooting, rebounding, etc). Also I think with this possibly being one of coach k’s last times doing this (after he and Kyrie gets the Olympic gold I think he hangs it up) as well as certain players (CP3, Melo, even maybe Bron?) I could see him trying to put together the best team possible that could rival (dare I say it) The DREAM TEAM.

Pg: CP3, Sg: Durant Sf: Bron, (as that second ball handler and playmaker that coach K usually puts on floor like 08 it was Cp3, Deron Williams, last year it was Kyrie and Curry, harden to some degree)

Pf: Melo, C: Davis

Pg: Curry Sg: Kyrie (he was mvp) Sf: Kawhi (or Harden if wants an instant offense third ball handler) Pf: George (finally gets to play) C: Cousins 

Bench Harden (gives them the four best ball handlers in league) Thompson (gives them the three best shooters in league) (Draymond gives them best defenders (versatility) and Drummond gives them the best young big men 

Could they beat the Dream Team? Would be interesting I’d say that much.

Coach K usually chooses an olympic team that first is (a team) and just like the increasingly position-less NBA usually picks either the best player at their position or you have to be the best at a particular skill (like shooting, rebounding, etc). Also I think with this possibly being one of coach k’s last times doing this (after he and Kyrie gets the Olympic gold I think he hangs it up) as well as certain players (CP3, Melo, even maybe Bron?) I could see him trying to put together the best team possible that could rival (dare I say it) The DREAM TEAM.

Pg: CP3, Sg: Durant Sf: Bron, (as that second ball handler and playmaker that coach K usually puts on floor like 08 it was Cp3, Deron Williams, last year it was Kyrie and Curry, harden to some degree)

Pf: Melo, C: Davis

Pg: Curry Sg: Kyrie (he was mvp) Sf: Kawhi (or Harden if wants an instant offense third ball handler) Pf: George (finally gets to play) C: Cousins 

Bench Harden (gives them the four best ball handlers in league) Thompson (gives them the three best shooters in league) (Draymond gives them best defenders (versatility) and Drummond gives them the best young big men 

Could they beat the Dream Team? Would be interesting I’d say that much.

after you celebrate the legends, and pay homage to them respectfully and they show the world how great they are and cp3 melo Bron career comes to a close we show the world that we have a replacement for them, then Wall, Butler, Griffin, Westbrook, Kawhi all get in there finally, as they would be up in the pecking order with the super – super stars no longer the face of the league. Heck we even show the world we have a replacement for our coach Walton, Brad Stevens.

How crazy is it that the game as we know it is changing so fast. David Stern is gone. Kobe’s about to retire. I was 4 when he made it to the league. How surreal is that? When CP3 and Lebron retires I’m going to cry. I’ve been watching these guys my whole life. This is crazy.

after you celebrate the legends, and pay homage to them respectfully and they show the world how great they are and cp3 melo Bron career comes to a close we show the world that we have a replacement for them, then Wall, Butler, Griffin, Westbrook, Kawhi all get in there finally, as they would be up in the pecking order with the super – super stars no longer the face of the league. Heck we even show the world we have a replacement for our coach Walton, Brad Stevens.

How crazy is it that the game as we know it is changing so fast. David Stern is gone. Kobe’s about to retire. I was 4 when he made it to the league. How surreal is that? When CP3 and Lebron retires I’m going to cry. I’ve been watching these guys my whole life. This is crazy.

Westbrooks’ aggressiveness and athleticism is too much for any guard in the league to handle. He slaughters guard in international play. And can we get rid of the whole "chucker" stigma? He’s averaging less shot attempts and 3 more assist a game than Mr. Curry.

Westbrooks’ aggressiveness and athleticism is too much for any guard in the league to handle. He slaughters guard in international play. And can we get rid of the whole "chucker" stigma? He’s averaging less shot attempts and 3 more assist a game than Mr. Curry.

Curry/Westbrook

Leonard/Harden/Butler

Durant/George

James/Griffin

Green/Davis/Cousins

That Curry/Leonard/Durant/James/Green starting lineup would be absolutely incredible.

Curry/Westbrook

Leonard/Harden/Butler

Durant/George

James/Griffin

Green/Davis/Cousins

That Curry/Leonard/Durant/James/Green starting lineup would be absolutely incredible.

 curry/ cp3

westbrook/ harden/ thompson

james/ leonard

durant/ pg13

davis/ cousins/ griffin

with drummond or green just left off over griffin.. I think thompson as the best catch and shoot player has to be on this team.

 curry/ cp3

westbrook/ harden/ thompson

james/ leonard

durant/ pg13

davis/ cousins/ griffin

with drummond or green just left off over griffin.. I think thompson as the best catch and shoot player has to be on this team.

Westbrook / Paul / Curry
Thompson / Harden
James / George / Kawhi
Durant / Griffin
Davis / Cousins

Next five per position: Wall – Butler – Carmelo – Love – Drummond

Westbrook / Paul / Curry
Thompson / Harden
James / George / Kawhi
Durant / Griffin
Davis / Cousins

Next five per position: Wall – Butler – Carmelo – Love – Drummond

There are so many great players that are gonna be left off of this team that they could probably make another team and win the silver metal.

Curry/CP3/Westbrook
Harden/Butler/
Kawhi/Durant/George
Blake/Lebron
Davis/Cousins

2nd team could be:

Wall/Kyrie/Lillard/Lowry
Thompson/Beal
Melo/Hayward
Green/Aldridge
Drummond/Anthony-Towns

There are so many great players that are gonna be left off of this team that they could probably make another team and win the silver metal.

Curry/CP3/Westbrook
Harden/Butler/
Kawhi/Durant/George
Blake/Lebron
Davis/Cousins

2nd team could be:

Wall/Kyrie/Lillard/Lowry
Thompson/Beal
Melo/Hayward
Green/Aldridge
Drummond/Anthony-Towns

BUT, Drummond gives them the best possible rebounder out there, a great dunker, and a guy who can block shots.

I think he is in.  

My team right now, similar to my team a few months ago:

Starters

PG Steph Curry

SG James Harden

SF Kevin Durant

PF LeBron James

C   Anthony Davis

Bench

PG Russell Westbrook

SG Jimmy Butler

SF Kawhi Leonard

PF Blake Griffin

C   Draymond Green

Reserves

SF Paul George

C Andre Drummond

I think Butler gets one of those last spots over Klay.  Having a better year and has had some HUGE scoring games, plus he is better on defense.  

This team only has two point guards, but lots of guys who can handle the ball and pass.

Chris Paul is my alternate.  A guy who can step in if either Steph or Russ gets hurt.  

I can’t really see leaving any of these guys off the team.  Then even if you argue that someone should get in over Andre Drummond, then you would go with another big man instead of another point guard.

I would pretty much assume that LeBron would be the team’s third string point guard option.

P.S.  If Drummond is not your last big, then you can consider LaMarcus Aldridge.  He does a lot.  Can play either big man spot and doesn’t really have any weaknesses.  It helps that he has more range than Drummond, too, even if he isn’t the rebounder that Drummond is.

Ok, so those are my last two picks.  Jimmy Butler over Klay Thompson.  And, Andre Drummond over LaMarcus Aldridge.  My alternate will be a point guard.  Because, if Steph and Russ are healthy you don’t really NEED a third point guard (especially if LeBron on the roster and even Draymond).  CP3’s full career body of work gives him the edge over and Kyrie Irving and John Wall.

The "LOCK" on this team that maybe shouldn’t be one is Anthony Davis.  Great player, but he might have maxed out his talent.  And, what does he do that Blake Griffin doesn’t do?  Draymond Green is a lock and can play BOTH the 4 and the 5 and is a better passer, ball handler, play maker, 3 point shooter, and interior defender.  Could you replace AD with Aldridge?  Aldridge is a bit bigger and a better shooter.  More of a 5 although basically a power forward.  If you had to only pick THREE bigs I think you go Blake, Draymond, and Aldridge.  Each of those 3 can score, rebound, shoot a little (or a lot), and then use some length to defend.  I think they go with FOUR big men, but LeBron will see time at the 4 (probably will start there).  KD and PG can play some there, too.  Maybe you DO need a third string point guard.  CP3 fits, and won’t demand a ton of minutes.  Plus, he has played with all these guys before and is really good with Blake Griffin.  

Anthony Davis is a GREAT player, but do they really need him?

Paul George might be the weakest player to make the roster, but if he really is a lock as Coach K says then that could change things up a bit.  

Aldridge might complement Blake and Draymond better than anyone else.  

He is my sleeper pick here.

This team is pretty much full of locks.  But, should AD really be a lock?  LMA might actually be a better fit for this team…

BUT, Drummond gives them the best possible rebounder out there, a great dunker, and a guy who can block shots.

I think he is in.  

My team right now, similar to my team a few months ago:

Starters

PG Steph Curry

SG James Harden

SF Kevin Durant

PF LeBron James

C   Anthony Davis

Bench

PG Russell Westbrook

SG Jimmy Butler

SF Kawhi Leonard

PF Blake Griffin

C   Draymond Green

Reserves

SF Paul George

C Andre Drummond

I think Butler gets one of those last spots over Klay.  Having a better year and has had some HUGE scoring games, plus he is better on defense.  

This team only has two point guards, but lots of guys who can handle the ball and pass.

Chris Paul is my alternate.  A guy who can step in if either Steph or Russ gets hurt.  

I can’t really see leaving any of these guys off the team.  Then even if you argue that someone should get in over Andre Drummond, then you would go with another big man instead of another point guard.

I would pretty much assume that LeBron would be the team’s third string point guard option.

P.S.  If Drummond is not your last big, then you can consider LaMarcus Aldridge.  He does a lot.  Can play either big man spot and doesn’t really have any weaknesses.  It helps that he has more range than Drummond, too, even if he isn’t the rebounder that Drummond is.

Ok, so those are my last two picks.  Jimmy Butler over Klay Thompson.  And, Andre Drummond over LaMarcus Aldridge.  My alternate will be a point guard.  Because, if Steph and Russ are healthy you don’t really NEED a third point guard (especially if LeBron on the roster and even Draymond).  CP3’s full career body of work gives him the edge over and Kyrie Irving and John Wall.

The "LOCK" on this team that maybe shouldn’t be one is Anthony Davis.  Great player, but he might have maxed out his talent.  And, what does he do that Blake Griffin doesn’t do?  Draymond Green is a lock and can play BOTH the 4 and the 5 and is a better passer, ball handler, play maker, 3 point shooter, and interior defender.  Could you replace AD with Aldridge?  Aldridge is a bit bigger and a better shooter.  More of a 5 although basically a power forward.  If you had to only pick THREE bigs I think you go Blake, Draymond, and Aldridge.  Each of those 3 can score, rebound, shoot a little (or a lot), and then use some length to defend.  I think they go with FOUR big men, but LeBron will see time at the 4 (probably will start there).  KD and PG can play some there, too.  Maybe you DO need a third string point guard.  CP3 fits, and won’t demand a ton of minutes.  Plus, he has played with all these guys before and is really good with Blake Griffin.  

Anthony Davis is a GREAT player, but do they really need him?

Paul George might be the weakest player to make the roster, but if he really is a lock as Coach K says then that could change things up a bit.  

Aldridge might complement Blake and Draymond better than anyone else.  

He is my sleeper pick here.

This team is pretty much full of locks.  But, should AD really be a lock?  LMA might actually be a better fit for this team…