What if Team USA still used college players?
Posted: Friday, August 08, 2008 8:03 PM
Filed Under:
Olympics
It’s impossible to avoid the Olympics right about now. Even in a college hoops blog.
Sure, the build-up to the Games seems quieter than ever before (ESPN usually sets the tone for sports on TV and it doesn’t do wall-to-wall coverage of the Olympics the way it focuses on Brett Favre or the trade deadline, but you’d think we’d see a little more of it before the Opening Ceremony. And no, I wasn’t told to write that.), but it’s still the Summer Olympics. (When some us have to work overnight shifts to accommodate the time change…)
After all, we all know what’s coming. The 100-meter dash. Pixie gymnasts. Gold medals. And hoops. Blessed hoops.
The ‘Redeem Team,’ as the U.S. men’s hoops squad has been labeled, opens against China on Sunday. Kobe, LeBron, ‘Melo & Co. have spent the last three years practicing together, working out some of the kinks and trying to get Team USA back on the gold medal podium after a horrid finish at Athens four years ago.
Will that happen? That’s for another post. What I’m interested in is this fabulous post from the guys at Storming the Floor, where they imagine a world (before 1992 and the ‘Dream Team’) where the U.S. squad is comprised entirely of college players.
They went with only guys who are playing in college next year, but I’m sticking with the old way of choosing a roster – anyone who played college hoops during the 2007-08 season is eligible.
My roster, broken down by position (starters in italics):
Guards
Derrick Rose, Memphis. One of two no-brainers. D-Rose would run the show and run it well. He’d be one of the tourney’s fastest players, taking advantage of the wider lane to split defense at will and he’s no size issues against foreign players. I worry about him hitting his jumper consistently, though.
James Harden, Arizona State. At 6-4, Harden may be a little undersized at off-guard, but I love his overall game. He’s a stellar defender and underrated scorer.
Russell Westbrook, UCLA. Another lock-down defender and ultra-athletic guard. The roster needs plenty of these. If the U.S. were to have any chance against teams with lightning quick guards, you need defenders like Westbrook and Harden.
Mario Chalmers, Kansas. Same goes for Chalmers, who may be this group’s best on-ball defender. In case you didn’t know, he also can hit the big shot.
Stephen Curry, Davidson. Every team needs shooters. The NCAA’s deadliest marksman is a no-brainer for this team.
Robbie Hummel, Purdue. Same goes for the sharp-shooting Hummel, who, at 6-foot-8, shouldn’t have much trouble getting off his shot.
Forwards
Michael Beasley, Kansas State. The other no-brainer. Beasley’s game is tailor-made for international competitions -- he can take defenders off the dribble, post-up or hit the three. He’d be used at either forward spot.
Joe Alexander, West Virginia. Alexander’s mid-range game makes up for any defensive deficiencies or average height for a small forward. If he struggles, Team USA would have options….
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma. A nice option off the bench. He and Beasley would make a rugged frontline – and neither would have trouble scoring.
Patrick Patterson, Kentucky. Tough call here, but I love Patterson’s effort, even if he would be undersized as a power forward against teams like Spain or Germany. He’d be perfect for short bursts or a defensive push.
Kyle Singler, Duke. Singler’s versatility is tough to pass up, though I wonder if he’d be too passive for this team. Gotta like his shooting range, though.
Darrell Arthur, Kansas. Gets last forward spot over Cal’s Ryan Anderson. Arthur’s a little faster, stronger and his mid-range jumper is solid.
Centers
Brook Lopez, Stanford. Lopez would likely struggle against more seasoned centers, but with this roster, he wouldn’t have to score much. I’m looking more for defense and rebounds.
Robin Lopez, Stanford. See Lopez, Brook. Need the same thing.
Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State. Yes, he’s undersized for a center. No, he probably wouldn’t get that much playing time. But consider this: “If somebody comes in there with a shot, I have to go get it.” Sounds perfect to me.
