There's an art to picking the perfect basketball team to represent your country. I think Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski almost got it right. Almost.
Here's the team they selected: Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams.
Certainly not a bad team, but not the one I would have chosen.
Based on the players available, here is how I would pick Team USA. In order:
1. Chris Paul, G
Easily the best point guard in the NBA. Probably in the world.
2. Kobe Bryant, G
Can score from anywhere on the court and has become a better teammate.
3. LeBron James, F
A must-have for obvious reasons.
4. Deron Williams, G
Point-guard play in the Olympics is incredibly important.
5. Dwight Howard, C
Will cause mismatches against every opponent he faces.
6. Michael Redd, G
His sole purpose is to can open 3-pointers from the shorter line. An invaluable asset.
7. Tyson Chandler, F/C
Not on the team, but his rebounding and toughness may be sorely needed.
8. Carlos Boozer, F
Someone who will crash the boards and bang down low.
9. Tayshaun Prince, F
Needed for mismatches and to play defense.
10. Allen Iverson, G
Also not on the team, but he was the one guy who really stood out when no NBA players even wanted to play for the national team. Could play point or shooting guard and gets up for the international games maybe more than anybody else on the team.
11. Shane Battier, F
The ultimate "glue" guy. Unselfish player and well-respected throughout the league. Coach K would know the perfect way to use him.
12. Chris Bosh, F
A skilled forward could help in all areas.
I didn't pick Jason Kidd (too old and slow), Dwyane Wade (too injured) and Carmelo Anthony (too selfish). I also did not consider those who hinted they would not like to be selected: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups and Amare Stoudamire.
My "almost made it but not quite" was the underrated Marcus Camby.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Bobcats face critical decision
The Charlotte Bobcats' brief first round draft history isn't exactly a sterling example of how to best use your picks.
With Emeka Okafor looking for big-time, long-term deal and new coach Larry Brown seeking an immediate turnaround, Thursday's first-round draft choice is a monster for the Bobcats.
Okafor's selection at No. 2 overall is probably the franchise's best move in the first round, although that won't amount to much if he bolts to another city or asks for a trade after turning down a fair offer from Charlotte last season.
I also like last year's move, trading Brandan Wright to Golden State for Jason Richardson. Richardson has really evolved as a player since he entered the league and was known primarily for his athletic ability.
The other two years have produced questionable or downright bad picks. Getting the No. 5 spot in the 2005 NBA draft was an absolute disaster for Charlotte and completely altered the direction of the franchise. Wanting a point guard, Charlotte was forced to reach for Raymond Felton after watching Deron Williams and Chris Paul go No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Williams has been a stud in Utah, and you can argue Paul deserved the NBA MVP this season. Felton hasn't been terrible, but it's tough playing in the shadows of those two players.
Adam Morrison at No. 3 overall hasn't worked out either. Morrison had an up-and-down rookie season and missed all of last year with an injury. Several scouts - and Charlotte fans - thought the Bobcats should have taken Brandon Roy. The selection of Sean May has also been a disappointment, namely due to May's injury history and refusal to get himself into serious NBA playing shape.
With that said, where should Charlotte turn this year?
There are a few options seriously worth considering:
Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
This has become the trendy pick in nearly every NBA mock draft. At 7-feet, Lopez would allow Okafor to slide into the power forward role full time, where he is more productive. Lopez may be gone but is probably the favorite if still available.
Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA
Westbrook would be a really good fit in Charlotte. He's one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the draft and could play sort of a combo, off-guard type role, spelling Felton at point and also playing some 2-guard.
D.J. Augustin, G, Texas
This would probably be a bit of a reach, but Augustin stood out big time at Texas and is already well-developed as a point guard.
Others: Most people think UCLA forward Kevin Love is going in the top-5, maybe the top-3. He reportedly canceled workouts with teams outside the top 5 ... Danilo Gallinari is a fluid Italian player who could help right away ... West Virginia's Joe Alexander would also be a great fit and bring some real toughness, but he's been shooting up the boards recently and may be gone by the time Charlotte picks.
With Emeka Okafor looking for big-time, long-term deal and new coach Larry Brown seeking an immediate turnaround, Thursday's first-round draft choice is a monster for the Bobcats.
Okafor's selection at No. 2 overall is probably the franchise's best move in the first round, although that won't amount to much if he bolts to another city or asks for a trade after turning down a fair offer from Charlotte last season.
I also like last year's move, trading Brandan Wright to Golden State for Jason Richardson. Richardson has really evolved as a player since he entered the league and was known primarily for his athletic ability.
The other two years have produced questionable or downright bad picks. Getting the No. 5 spot in the 2005 NBA draft was an absolute disaster for Charlotte and completely altered the direction of the franchise. Wanting a point guard, Charlotte was forced to reach for Raymond Felton after watching Deron Williams and Chris Paul go No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Williams has been a stud in Utah, and you can argue Paul deserved the NBA MVP this season. Felton hasn't been terrible, but it's tough playing in the shadows of those two players.
Adam Morrison at No. 3 overall hasn't worked out either. Morrison had an up-and-down rookie season and missed all of last year with an injury. Several scouts - and Charlotte fans - thought the Bobcats should have taken Brandon Roy. The selection of Sean May has also been a disappointment, namely due to May's injury history and refusal to get himself into serious NBA playing shape.
With that said, where should Charlotte turn this year?
There are a few options seriously worth considering:
Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
This has become the trendy pick in nearly every NBA mock draft. At 7-feet, Lopez would allow Okafor to slide into the power forward role full time, where he is more productive. Lopez may be gone but is probably the favorite if still available.
Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA
Westbrook would be a really good fit in Charlotte. He's one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the draft and could play sort of a combo, off-guard type role, spelling Felton at point and also playing some 2-guard.
D.J. Augustin, G, Texas
This would probably be a bit of a reach, but Augustin stood out big time at Texas and is already well-developed as a point guard.
Others: Most people think UCLA forward Kevin Love is going in the top-5, maybe the top-3. He reportedly canceled workouts with teams outside the top 5 ... Danilo Gallinari is a fluid Italian player who could help right away ... West Virginia's Joe Alexander would also be a great fit and bring some real toughness, but he's been shooting up the boards recently and may be gone by the time Charlotte picks.
Monday, June 16, 2008
In the soccer spirit
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I never played soccer growing up. I was strictly a basketball-baseball-backyard football child.
It's weird because youth soccer was really starting to pick up steam when I was a young'un, but I never played in my life until gym class in high school. And I was really bad. I have trouble walking upright without stumbling, so adding a ball into the mix is just a disaster in dexterity.
With that said, I've been on a huge soccer kick recently. I've watched a lot of the UEFA games and enjoyed them all. International soccer is always fun to watch, and I'm a sucker for any kind of tournament. I'd probably watch an international badminton tournament if one existed (and it might, I don't know).
In addition to that thought, I'd like to add that we have some really, really good soccer players in the area. The N.C. Soccer Coaches Association recently released its all-region teams, and Iredell County had 16 total players from all six county schools chosen.
That's pretty remarkable. And from my point of view, it made selecting the 11-member R&L All County team incredibly difficult.
Here's a list of our All-Region players, with All-County selections italicized, All-State members bold and our Player of the Year in all caps (you follow?).
Taylor Branton, West Iredell
Amanda Comer, South Iredell
Brittney Dailey, Mooresville
Alicia Danenhower, Mooresville
Rachel Gibson, South Iredell
Tara Johnson, Lake Norman
Meghan Kos, Lake Norman
Ashley Lail, South Iredell
Caroline Moffett, Lake Norman
Katie Register, Statesville
Claudia Solis, South Iredell
COURTNEY SMITH, Mooresville
Sarah Tang, Lake Norman
Lauren Vawter, Lake Norman
Sarah Ann Waugh, Statesville
Tiffany Wilson, Mooresville
It's weird because youth soccer was really starting to pick up steam when I was a young'un, but I never played in my life until gym class in high school. And I was really bad. I have trouble walking upright without stumbling, so adding a ball into the mix is just a disaster in dexterity.
With that said, I've been on a huge soccer kick recently. I've watched a lot of the UEFA games and enjoyed them all. International soccer is always fun to watch, and I'm a sucker for any kind of tournament. I'd probably watch an international badminton tournament if one existed (and it might, I don't know).
In addition to that thought, I'd like to add that we have some really, really good soccer players in the area. The N.C. Soccer Coaches Association recently released its all-region teams, and Iredell County had 16 total players from all six county schools chosen.
That's pretty remarkable. And from my point of view, it made selecting the 11-member R&L All County team incredibly difficult.
Here's a list of our All-Region players, with All-County selections italicized, All-State members bold and our Player of the Year in all caps (you follow?).
Taylor Branton, West Iredell
Amanda Comer, South Iredell
Brittney Dailey, Mooresville
Alicia Danenhower, Mooresville
Rachel Gibson, South Iredell
Tara Johnson, Lake Norman
Meghan Kos, Lake Norman
Ashley Lail, South Iredell
Caroline Moffett, Lake Norman
Katie Register, Statesville
Claudia Solis, South Iredell
COURTNEY SMITH, Mooresville
Sarah Tang, Lake Norman
Lauren Vawter, Lake Norman
Sarah Ann Waugh, Statesville
Tiffany Wilson, Mooresville
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
