Team USA Blogger Roundtable!

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images.

Bloggers. Slimy. Despicable. But we have opinions on everything, so I decided to poke and prod a few of my compatriots for where they stand on the biggest issues surrounding Team USA. I'm really pleased with the bloggers that contributed as well, as they're some of the best well-known and relatively lesser-known blogging minds out there. Take it away!

1. Which single player on Team USA is the most pivotal to the team's success?

Matt Moore, Hardwood Paroxysm, AOL FanHouse, Ridiculous Upside: That's obviously the work of one Mr. Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich brings a defensive toughness to the guards that the others lack, and won't be trying to make any death-defying plays on offense. A seasoned veteran of the USA Basketball program, this is the year that Kirk Hinrich finally gets his due rew.....what? He's not even on the fucking team? Great balls of whiteness! We have NO token white guy (Jason Kidd's the offspring of an interracial couple, part demon, part troll) on the squad? Not one? We're doomed, doomeed I tell you! It's all over! Oh, sweet God, why? Why did you curse us with no pasty defenders to inevitably look like idiots next to the actually talented people?

...

Dwight Howard. Other teams are going to have quick elusive guys to make up for our plethora of slashers and guards. But if Howard's healthy and starts doing his Cloverfield Monster bit, who's going to stop him? Really?

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: LeBron James on fire solves all problems, but you can't count on that game in and game out. Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony will be putting up huge numbers. One of the point guards has to be amazing. But game in and game out, I guess it comes down to: Can team USA get away with the small line-ups that will feature all the best players? If the answer is yes, it will be because Dwight Howard is a super-hombre. So I'll say Dwight Howard, super-hombre, is most pivotal.

Loren, Pure Point: Dwayne Wade/Lebron. In the international game, two things are key, high post and slashers. Because of the trapezoidal key, Dwight Howard won't be able to dominate as well as he would under NBA rules. Pau/Marc Gasol, Luis Scola, and Yao all have more experience working with the trapezoid than Howard and all have the ability to step out and hit a jump shot, so thats something that Dwight will have to look out for. The catalyst of an international offense is the drive and kick/score, see: Manu Ginobili, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, etc. When D-Wade or Lebron slash, the defense should collapse, leaving shooters open for a short international 3. If there's no collapse then because of the trapezoidal key (i.e. since the center needs to come from farther away to help stop the drive), there's no stopping them from scoring.

Don, With Malice: Kobe. The success of this team begins and ends with him. Everyone can do the whole "there-is-no-leader!" tap-dance, but clearly, Bryant's the unspoken captain. He brings a focus and intensity to the team that we didn't see when the triumvirate of James/Wade/Anthony tried it out in the FIBA Worlds.
However, Dwight Howard holds a lot of importance as well... a healthy Howard (and one that stays out of foul trouble) will be key to US gold.

Jim, Green Bandwagon: I'm not sure if you've heard but Team USA has never lost a game (44-0) with Jason Kidd in the lineup and he is the only member of the current squad with a gold medal. Yeah it has been under the radar. All kidding aside I don't understand why Kobe Bryant's presence is not a much bigger story. He's younger and better on both ends of the court. Still LeBron James is going to have an absolutely huge showing in Beijing. He shot 76% from the field and 62.2% from three (scroll down) at last year's FIBA's Americas Championship. Granted the talent level was not on par with where it will be this August. But considering the fact that he's gunning for global icon status and essentially playing the point for long stretches, it's all about LeBron.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, Hardwood Paroxysm: Dwight Howard. Mostly for defensive reasons. Given the lack of height on the team, Howard is going to need to do consistently solid work against the likes of Pau Gasol, Yao Ming, and assorted other foreigners I've never heard of.

2. Is starting Jason Kidd over Chris Paul (or Deron Williams) a mistake? Why or why not?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: Starting Jason Kidd is the best thing that Coach K can do. Let me tell you why. You see, the Dream Team defined American excellence. They were the greatest team of all time. They will always be remembered for how amazing they were. Only problem, this team is actaully probably more stacked top to bottom in terms of talent and athleticism. But we can't have this team looking anything like the Dream Team! That would be blasphemous! So we have to have an angle so people will care. And that angle will be Jason Kidd playing like ass and still getting more minutes than Deron Williams. Whoopee! USA! USA!

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: There is no crisis here, no matter what happens. The only that would be bad is sticking with Kidd for a long time if he proves to be mediocre.

Loren, Pure Point: Not at all. Team USA is full of volume shooters and J-Kidd is the only one on the team who can really be productive while taking little to no shots. It can be argued that Chris Paul is similarly productive with limited shots, but then where's the advantage over Kidd? Paul's speed advantage is also negated because it's going to be irrelevant who is running the point in the fast break, and the benefits to a point guard being faster in a half court set are marginal. Paul's defense is lacking and is undersized, so if you take away his shot, I'd say that he and Kidd are close to a wash. After that you have to get into stuff like wisdom and chemistry and trust in teammates, and I'm not sure that can be quantified between Paul and Kidd. In any case, I would argue that starting Kidd is at least no worse than starting Paul.

Ryan McNeill, Hoops Addict: How is starting a point guard that is 38-0 in international competition a mistake? I think having Kidd run the show is a stroke of genius as he won't be worried about scoring and instead will spend the game dropping dimes and keeping his teammates happy.

Don, With Malice: Not necessarily... as long as the starter's position/minutes are based on current performance, not past laurels.
Kidd can start - his performance in past national teams merits it, but Mike Krzyzewski needs to make sure that Kidd's play is worthy of the starter's role. If it's not, Paul and Williams wait eagerly in the wings.

Jim, Green Bandwagon: Yes, Chris Paul is awesome.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: Yes, it is. Kidd may be one of the more prolific pure passers in the history of the game, but at this point in their careers Chris Paul is the superior point guard. Paul can distribute the ball better in traffic, as well as score at will, which Kidd cannot. Paul is also nowhere near the defensive liability that Kidd is.

3. The lack of centers on Team USA's roster is well-chronicled. But aside from that, what is this team's biggest weakness?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: You mean other than the fact that almost every guy on this squad likes to shoot at least 15 times per game, sometimes as high as 25? Unless they're planning on having multiple balls on the floor at the same time, which i'm not sure is legal, Kobe could end up choking Michael Redd to death and leaving him burined in the nasty, polluted Bejing ground.

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Carmelo Anthony's defense.

Loren, Pure Point: The lack of shooters is a point that a lot of people go to, but I feel like almost every guard and small forward on the team /should/ be able to hit an international 3. As for a weakness, I think that the team still isn't paying enough attention to the nuances of how the international game is different from the NBA. Though I haven't actually seen them practice, so this is all speculative, from what I've seen they still practice on an NBA court. There are little subtleties in the international game that have killed the US in the past.

Addendum, after watching USA-Canada: Help-defense. Communication is still not where it needs to e with this team, but I expect that to improve as they play together more over the next couple weeks, and even using the preliminary round as an extended tune-up if needed a la Serena Williams.

Don Landrigan, With Malice: Reliance on un-proven (at least on the international stage) youth. I think that this side has immense pressure on it, the expectations are such that anything less than gold's a dismal failure. The big question is, can they live up to it?

Jim, Green Bandwagon: As much as the Team USA guys are saying all the right things, have for the most part been together for three summers, and the LeBron/Paul/Wade triumvirate appears to be legitimately close, some of the competition has been playing together forever. For example look at how Jose Calderon reacted when Jorge Garbajosa broke his leg in '07. Unfortunately that clip does not do it justice. But you get the idea. Meanwhile, if Carlos Boozer went down during a regular season game I'm sure Deron Williams would care from a team strength team stand point. I just don't see that kind of concern. This Chris Bosh/Kobe Bryant interaction (3:30 and 6:20) might be more apropos. Of course I wouldn't put too much stock in that. It's the on the court stuff that matters.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: Backcourt defense. Although Paul is not the defensive liability that Kidd is, he isn't a tremendous defender. And Carmelo Anthony was never taught what you are supposed to do on that half of the court where you're not trying to put the ball in the basket. Obviously Kobe Bryant is lockdown, particularly in international play, but I think there are holes defensively at the 1 and 3.

4. If you had to pick one team to "upset" the United States and win the Gold medal, what team would it be? Why?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: Spain. Why? Because how fucking awesome would it be if Pau Gasol beats Kobe Bryant after partially costing him the NBA title? How amazing would it be if Juan Carlos Navarro was just running around flipping the bird at everyone? Spain has a lot of talent and can play the international game. You know why I say that? Because they're not American. Therefore they're "international." Viva los Gasols!

Loren, Pure Point: Spain. This will be the coming out party for Ricky Rubio, who is looking like a lock for the number one overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. New Portland guard Rudy Fernandez will have a chance to show off their skills, and after that you still have the twin towers of Pau and Marc Gasol to deal with, and that's even without considering Tiago Splitter, who recently said "No thanks" to the Spurs, and JC Navarro, who did the same to the Grizzlies. Oh yeah, throw starting NBA point guard and league leader in A/T ratio (by far) Jose Calderon into the mix too and you have a very very solid squad.

Ryan McNeill, Hoops Addict: One team? I think there are a handful of teams that can beat the United States. Greece has recently beaten the United States so they immediately jump to mind. However, I think Spain or Argentina can beat the United States as they have recently walked away with gold medals in recent international competitions.

Don, With Malice: Spain. Spain have the skill, the length, and are far more adept at the 'international game' than the US are. Spain could be a major fly in the ointment.

Jim, Green Bandwagon: As much as I like Manu Ginobili and company I have to go with Spain. The Spanish are well coached, loaded, play well together, and are vying for a place in their homeland's golden era of international sports.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: The correct answer to this question is Spain, but I'm gonna go with Argentina. They are familiar with one another. They are focused. They are defending champs. But, honestly, they will get annihilated in the low post against the U.S.

5. Carlos Boozer and Chris Bosh will be fighting for backup center minutes; who should win the job?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: Hmmmm.... Carlos Boozer went to Duke... Coach K is the head coach at Duke... no one in America really respects Chris Bosh... Chris Bosh didn't go to Duke... man, this is a tough one.

What, the fuck, are you kidding me? Expect to see a whole lot of Boozer getting blocked over and over again by the only tall members on the opposing squad but then diving out of bounds for a loose ball and getting lots of back slaps and high fives from his teammates. Also, his Fu Man Chu will destroy villages along the wayside.

Loren, Pure Point: Chris Bosh should get the job because he fits in better, but I'm guessing that ultimately Boozer will get the job.

Don, With Malice: Bosh should, but Boozer probably will, thanks to Coach K (Dukies both). Expect to see Boozer benched with foul problems tho'. The international game's no where near as forgiving as the refs at Salt Lake City.

Jim, Green Bandwagon: This would be easier if either one of them were actually a center. And even though Carlos Boozer was a letdown the last time I saw him (Western Conference Semifinals) I'm going with the former Duke Blue Devil. Yes Bosh can probably shoot the international 3, but when push comes to shove, Boozer will be a physical presence.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: Chris Bosh. More because Boozer has been so underwhelming over the last 6 months, not because Bosh has been spectacular.

6. Which is more likely to be the achilles' heel of the American defense: perimeter shooting, high post play, or the pick and roll?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: Dwight Howard: low post defender.
Carlos Boozer: low post defender.

Which means the high post defenders are Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony (LeBron doesn't play defense, he allows it to swirl around him like a cape). Yeah, that should work out well. Expect lots of double teams. And by double teams, I mean Wade and Kobe fouling the shit out of whoever's in the high block and getting away with it. Yao sells jerseys. Kobe sells more, Nike says.

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Let's assume they are working on the whole pick and roll thing after what the Greeks did to them. That leaves Team USA, like every team, vulnerable to hot outside shooting. There's no crime in losing to a team having an unbelievable shooting night.

Loren, Pure Point: High post. Who's going to play the high post for the Americans? Bosh? That's if he plays at all. Otherwise, you have what... Carmelo? Maybe Boozer can step out a little? Severely lacking.

Don, With Malice: High post play. None of the 3 bigs that the US have selected are particularly adept at defending outside of their comfort zone. Well... maybe Bosh, but he'll be getting the least minutes of the 3.

Jim, Green Bandwagon: Perimeter shooting. If the Americans go down it's because a squad gets white hot against them from beyond the arc. Think the Toronto Raptors against the Celtics on that crazy night (71.4% from deep!) back in January.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: Perimeter shooting. Some of these international guys can stroke it, and if Kidd, Paul or Anthony doesn't stay home on whomever they are guarding, they may make them regret it.

7. Which of Team USA's "big three" of Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James will cause the most trouble for opposing defenses?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: "Hi, my name's Dwyane Wade. I have speed, quickness, can draw the foul, split double teams, work the post, and hit jumpers, plus I steal the ball and run with it like it's the wallet of Mr. John Fancypants Rockafeller. Plus, I actually, you know, KNOW how to run the pick and roll. Carmelo can suck my Mellow Balls."

Don, With Malice: I think Kobe's going to play himself on the opposition's best player - he'll go into each game with a defensive mindset... that said, he'll still get his 15-20 points a game. But LeBron James (working on the assumption that the 'minor ankle sprain' really is a minor ankle sprain) is big, fast and too much for any single defender. Expect gang defense on James... this is a perfect opportunity for LeBron to put his name back into the 'best-in-the-game' discussions. And with the lead into his 2010 free agency, what better opportunity to raise his hand...

Jim, Green Bandwagon: Both Kobe and LeBron will look to get their teammates involved and cause trouble for opposing defense. But in terms of pure scoring I'd go with Anthony. It's as if he was built for international ball.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: LeBron James. As far as I've seen no international player has the physicality to match up with James out on the wing. He should be able to drive successfully pretty much at will.

8. We'll do this last question Tiger Woods style: Who are you taking for the Olympics, Team USA or the field?

Matt Moore, HP, FanHouse, RU: I could give a good Goddamn. Are these guys playing for unimaginably overblown contracts? Is there a trophy at the end that signifies a champion of a regular season that is largely perfunctory and a playoffs whose outcome entirely rests on which seed they acquire? Will they play that announcing as fuck "EVERY-BODY-CLAP-YOUR-HANDS (CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP) song? Then this isn't real basketball to me. But since we have more talent than anyone in the world, and since still the biggest stars headed overseas are a Euro combo F/C who got pwned by some old guys in the finals and another Euro combo F/C who got pwned by one young guy who's on Team USA, I like the chances of capitalism. We always win. Because if you win, we bomb you back to the stone age and put tarrifs on you. Eat it. America. Fuck yeah.

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: "The field" is a good bet in almost any competition, but I'll take Team USA this time, by a whisker.

Loren, Pure Point: I'd put it at even right now, with a slight edge to the world. I actually think that Spain has a team that will give the US a definite run for its money. Argentina is up there too. Outside of that big three, you still have to deal with strong teams from Greece, Croatia, Germany, and Lithuania. After that you can't even sleep on Russia and China. The field is too strong now, and I don't think you could ever just pick one team against the field today. That said, the US does have an extra drive with the whole "Road to Redemption" thing and we'll see how that works out.

Ryan McNeill, Hoops Addict: I'm going to ruffle some feathers and take the field.

Don, With Malice: Perhaps the toughest question of what you've served me here Rob... a few months ago, I was certain it was the US. But the decision to not take Chandler, and then the supposedly minor injuries to Howard, and then James... well... I'm not as certain as I was. That said and done, if I was putting money on it, I'd still go the States. But it'll be tight, with a few scares along the way. I look forward to it!

Jim, Green Bandwagon: Team USA, but it's closer than people think.

Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell, HP: USA.

Thanks again to all the mighty fine bloggers that participated.