[knicks82Participant]

Team USA is preparing for the World Championships. They will be playing Aug. 28- Sept. 12 in Turkey.
This team is gonna be totally different than the team that won gold in 2008.
Here are the players who are trying to be on the 2012 team.
Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City); Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings); Rudy Gay, (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); David Lee (Golden State); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Robin Lopez (Phoenix Suns); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City).

Not sure how many players will make the team, probably 12. But here is what I think the starting 5 should be IMO.
pg- Rajon Rondo
sg- Stephen Curry
sf- Kevin Durant
pf- Amare Stoudemire
c- Brook Lopez

[Russell0WestbrookParticipant]

pg- Billups
sg- Mayo
sf- Durant
pf- Wallace
c- Amare

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Without the true Dominant Superstars like Lebron,Kobe & Wade playing..I hope they pick guys for the team that compliment each other..Or guy that do alot of things..

center…Amare
forward..Durant
forward..Kevin Love
guard….Derrick Rose
guard….Rudy Gay..(He spent his 1st two seasons playing shooting guard)..

[jwet33Participant]

PG-Billups, Rose, Tyreke, I think Rondo won’t play.
SG- Mayo, Curry
SF – Gay, Granger
PF – Lee, Odom, Wallace, Amare
C – Brook Lopez

Starting lineup could go a variety of ways. I think they give the edge to Billups at point. maybe Gay and Granger at the 2 and 3, potentially odom and amare at the 4 and 5 or have brook play the 5 and amare at the 4.

[knicks82Participant]

yea I could definately see Billups starting for his veteran leadership, this team is gonna be real young regardless. I put Curry at sg just cause I think out of everyone on the team hes the most lethal outside threat, also a underrated defender.

[jwet33Participant]

fuckkk, I forgot about Durant, my bad….my starting 5….Lopez, Amare, Granger, Durant, Billups. it should be, Amare, Odom, Granger/Gay, Durant, Rose.

[PlatypusParticipant]

PG Billups – Rose – Curry or Rondo
SG Mayo – Tyreke
SF Durant – Gay
PF Wallace – Granger
C Lopez – Amare – Love or Lee

USA’s biggest problem will be Spain

Gerald gets the start because he is quick and strong enough to play against other bigs

I believe there will be a 2 spot battle between three players Granger, Odom, and Gay i think they take the 3 point shooters though

Billups start for vetran leadership like Jason Kidd did even though Deron Williams and Chris Paul were on the team

[TRC1991Participant]

PG-Rose
SG-Durant
SF-Granger
PF-Amare
C-Lopez

that could be an interesting lineup if they wanna go with a big lineup

[Tobe BryantParticipant]

This is the team that I will pick based on the construction of last year’s “REDEEM TEAM” and how the players may fit into the molds in international play.

POINT GUARS:
Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets) – Billups can play the saavy veteran role that Kidd played last year.

Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) – Just like Deron Williams, he can use his speed and playmaking ability to his advantage in international play.

Rajon Rondo – Defensive abilities and passing can be key just like Chris Paul.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Tyreke Evans (Sacremento Kings) – Combo guard like Wade that can create a lot of penetration and offense.

O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies) – Great, pure scorer who can handle the rock a bit. Good defender and is tenacious like Kobe.

Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers) – Great scorer, strong, and has the lights out shooting ability that people have seemed to forgotten about like Redd.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) – Unquestioned guy for this team. Scorer, rebounder, and decent defender. The key to the USA winning. Serves the dominant Carmelo Anthony role.

Andre Iguodala (Philadephi 76ers) – Versatile offensive and defensive player. Tayshaun Prince?

Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) – My surprise pick and wildcard! Versatile all-around, can really thrive in the USA international style of play. He can be like Bosh when serving as the power forward on the floor.

POWER FORWARDS/CENTER:

Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks) – Brings some power that will be missed by Dwight Howard.

Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) – Great passing big men, and can face up a bit. See Carlos Boozer.

Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets) – Need his size and ability. Another big man that will cover some of Howard’s absence.

[PlatypusParticipant]

usually the team goes small because most of the other teams are small

[the I in winParticipant]

PG- Tyreke Evans/Derrick Rose/Russell Westbrook
SG-Danny Granger
SF-Kevin Durant
PF-Jeff Green
C-Amare Stoudemire

The point guard is going to get into the paint at will and kick it out to Granger, Durant, and Green to knock down the three. Amare is the same height as any center he will play against and he jumps way higher so defence should be easy for him. I think Green will fit well into the european style of play, much like Carmelo did but obviosly won’t do as good.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

G- Billups he will get the nod over young point guards due to his experince ala Jason Kidd over Paul and Deron Williams on a younger team
G- O.J Mayo- toughest position to predict could change due to mini- camp or how selfish or unselfish Mayo is
F- Durant- He is the reigning scoring champ
F- Amare- he played on the 2008 team and is the most skilled big man there
C- Howard Best center in the NBa if he doesnt start something is wrong

[ghettosermonParticipant]

^^^ Dwight Howard is not playing this summer. BTW Javale Mcgee was added to the roster to fill Lamarcus Aldridge’s spot. Probably won’t make it but he is a legit 7 footer and could really do damage finishing oops from the great PG’s. At the very least it will be a great experience just being at training camp.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Whoevers playing best for at camp for each position is going to start. If Rose is feeling nervous and Rondo’s confidence is lights out Rondo will get it, but if Evans got better after his first Season like Derozan has than he could be the best player on that team (excluding Durant)

I would go with
Rose/Rondo/Billups
Durant/Evans/Mayo
Granger/Igoudala
Odom/Love
Stoudemire/Lopez

Odom and Billups for veteran leadership, billups could be instant O and Odom is a glue guy to bring the team together, Rose and Rondo for penetration and defending small gaurds, Durant for scoring, Granger for toughness, leaderhsip and all-round game, good glue guy, Stoudemire for Athletisism, Evans could break out and become an all round starter at anytime, Mayo is a good prototype SG especially against smaller 2 gaurds, same for Igoudala but at 3, Love is an elite rebounder and will gather the boards for USA.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

Oh on NBA tv its says featured players and says Dwight Howard for the Real Training Camp

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Depends. I think they want a strong defensive lineup with a scoring big.

Rondo- Mayo- Durant- Love- Lopez would be my guess.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

Love wont start over Odom and Lopez wont start over Stoudamire

[the I in winParticipant]

Lopez won’t start over Stoudemire but he may start with him. That would be a very big line up for FIBA.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Alright, Alright- It’s just a opinion. Calm Down people

[romeeezybabyParticipant]

Has done well in international competition, and started all 8 games for Team USA back in 2004. Remember in the ’04 Olympics he was one of the teams bright spots. Was invited back for the 2008 team, but due to the death of his infant son, he had to decline the invitation.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Point Guards:

Billups – Experience, veteran leadership and shooting.

Rose – I think he’ll be the first guard off of the bench. The USA loves to get out in transition and attack, and Rose will be that guy.

Westbrook – I picked him over Rondo. I think Westbrook’s size and athleticism gives him the edge defensively, plus he plays with more energy on defense. He’s also a better mid-range shooter.

Wings:

Durant – No brainer. He should’ve made it in 2008. He’ll be the team’s go-to offensive player.

Iguodala – Experience and he’s a versatile defender.

Granger – He can play the 3/4. He moves well without the ball, will stretch the floor and brings toughness/intensity. I picked him over Gay.

Gordon – I picked Gordon over Mayo. They’re about equal in shooting, but I think Gordon’s strength/length will separate him on the defensive end. I also think he’s more comfortable playing off of the ball.

Fours:

Odom – USA experience and his game is made for FIBA.

Wallace – I picked him over Jeff Green. I just think Wallace is a better defender, rebounder and shooter.

Bigs:

Stoudemire – He’s a lock. He’s the best big on the roster and has USA experience. His pick and roll/pop game should be lethal.

Chandler – He’s not better than Brook Lopez, but I think he’ll give the team better rebounding and shot blocking. I like him over both Lopez brothers.

Lee – I picked Lee over Love because I think Lee’s the better offensive player, rebounder and passer.

[ghettosermonParticipant]

He might have better numbers but IMO Love is a superior passer to Lee.

[Author]

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