US no more power in the International Competition

[iKe7in]

Why, they were lacking scoring? They played too much defense? Did they pass too often?

The biggest problem I see is that they continue to go with youth, while at the same time picking players who haven't ever won anything. How many playoff series have LeBron, Melo or Chris Paul won? You can't win when you build your team around seven different guys, all scorers.

They should stop picking the best players, and just pick the best team. Why not just take the entire Miami Heat or Detroit Pistons team? Many of the international teams are filled with players who play with each other all year round.

For once, take a team of veterans who have experience playing in higher competition. Find some guys who have played together and have won together, and build around that. How about a roster like this:

C - Brad Miller
PF - Udonis Haslem
SF - Tayshaun Prince
SG - Dwayne Wade
PG - Sam Cassell

Bench
Posey, Payton, Mourning, McDyess, Lindsay Hunter, Bowen, Brent Barry

That seems like a team that would have more defined roles and help a coach matchup against any international team. You still have scorers, but you have some other guys who provide defense, rebounding and leadership.

[CERVANTES]

I think they should get rid of LeBron and include a forward like Tayshaun Prince, Josh Childress or Lamar Odom. Then they just need to LEARN PLAYS. They live of their improvisation, and it's not always ok. And coach K should have managed better the minutes each player has, not 15 minutes to everyone. Howard, Melo, Wade and Brand should have played like 30 minutes per game, and then Hinrich as starting PG sharing 50/50 minutes with Chris Paul.

It's not only an exhibition for the fans who wanna see the NBA stars, it's a competition, and you have to do all you can to win.

[maes]

I don't understand the entire "Kobe would have won it for team USA" line of reasoning. Putting Kobe on your team doesn't add more possessions...if he has the ball than Wade, LeBron, CP, and Melo do NOT have the ball.

Are we saying team USA had no offense? Because Melo shot extremely well not only during the entire tournament but in the Greece game as well. LeBron & Wade also scored well.

What would Kobe have gotten you? Better 3 point shooting? Nope, in the NBA Kobe is a 34% 3 point shooter, LeBron is virtually identical shooting 33%.

The reason team USA lost the Greece game is because Greece ran a basic pick & roll over, and over, and over, and over again and the US was never able to defend it. Basic, fundamental, team basketball which our players, even our stars, do not learn.

Forget Greece...imagine what Stockton & Malone would have done to this team

BTW here's Eddie Johnson's review of the US performance. It should be noted EJ was one of the few experts that predicted the US would lose even when they were demolishing teams early on.

http://www.hoopshype.com/columns/worlds_johnson.htm

[kinokong]

stick them in a gym for 3 months, have them play the pick and roll and make more 3s and you win, period.... but it's easier said then done

[Dan's Brain]

yeah they didnt have a whole heap of time after the NBA season was finished, then they had to go straight into training. The timing of the whole thing was a little off. which is nobody's fault.