FanNation - The Republic of Sport

For those of you who haven't already heard, USA Basketball executives have settled on this roster:  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.

It's hard to have beef with a team that has both Kobe and LeBron, and yet somehow, I do.  I'm pumped about this summer's Olympics because I'm sick and tired of the disaster that has been USA Basketball for the past four years or so.  Losing in the 2004 Olympics, failing in the FIBA World Championship -- enough is enough already.  I'm pumped because I'm pretty sure this year's team is going to run away with it.

But I am never without doubts.

For me, it starts at the top.  I absolutely hate that Coach K is running the show for this team.  He consistently recruits one of the most talented college teams in the nation, and yet he has just three NCAA Tournament titles to show for it.  They're a contender every single year...that means a slew of big-time losses.  Time after time he has allowed his team to collapse under the bright lights.  As far as mental toughness goes, his players are always below the elite level. 

Of course, the most glaring fundamental problem:  we're talking about a college coach here, and we're dealing with NBA players.  Sure, he has NBA assistants, but they aren't the ones making the critical decisions.  The most important things about managing a roster with this much talent are distributing the minutes and establishing the proper rotation.  I don't have faith in Coach K's ability to do either.

I'm not going to get carried away here, because it'd be pretty hard for him to screw it up with a team this good.  But hey, ya never know.  Some of the international teams play incredibly unselfish, effective basketball. 

Let's get to the beef:

#1:  I would have taken Joe Johnson over Michael Redd for the roster spot that was up in the air.  In the Olympic qualifiers, Coach K seemed to love Redd, making him one of his primary bench players and putting him out there in a few big spots.

At the same time Coach K was impressed with Redd, I was frustrated and annoyed.  Redd shot the ball every time he touched it.  That's exactly the style of play that would be totally unacceptable to me as the coach of a team with off the charts depth and talent.  Move the ball around, keep everyone in rhythm, and run the other teams off the court.

I know why Redd is there -- because the U.S. needs a "three-point specialist" -- but Joe Johnson is an excellent outside shooter and a much better all-around basketball player than Redd.  He proved that he is utterly fearless in the clutch throughout the Hawks' first-round series against the Celtics this season.  Much more unselfish and under control than Redd.

#2:  I really hope he's not sticking with his plan to return Jason Kidd to the starting lineup.  I know they went undefeated in the qualifiers with Kidd at the helm, but did you see him play this year?  He is undoubtedly at an all-time low.  He's not as explosive in the open court as he used to be, he's turning the ball over at a higher clip, and he can't make a three-pointer to save his life.  I've never seen a guard miss so many wide open shots.

Even if Kidd is at the same level he was during the qualifiers, he's not even in the same league as Chris Paul or Deron Williams.  Paul and Williams are both two of the NBA's top 10 players, while Kidd would be lucky to crack the top 50 at this stage in his long career.

I know Coach K likes Kidd's experience and leadership...blah blah blah.  Just play the best guys.  Paul and Williams are both unselfish and they'll make sure to get the ball to Kobe, Lebron and Melo.  If it were up to me, Williams would be the starter.  CP3 is the slightly better all-around player right now, but D-Will is a better fit for the international style of play.  He'll consistently make the opposition pay if they leave him open in an effort to double-team the post.  With CP3 there are no guarantees from the perimeter.

Besides, with LeBron in the starting lineup, there's already one wildly inconsistent outside shooter.  Can't have too many of those out there when Puerto Rico and Argentina are bombing away from beyond the arc with four out of their five starters.  They don't just chuck them up there -- they make them.  With regularity.  At least with Deron Williams and Kobe there'd be two reliable shooters. 

#3:  I don't like Carmelo Anthony starting at the power forward position.  I understand that this is Coach K's way of adjusting to the international game, but Melo just doesn't rebound enough.  Even worse, he's a terrible defensive player.  He can't guard people at his natural position (small forward) so how the hell is he gonna guard people at the 4?  Simply put, he'll try but won't succeed often.

However, since Amare Stoudemire is no longer available to play in the Olympics, I'm gonna give Coach K a pass on this one.  Sure he could probably go with Chris Bosh or Carlos Boozer at the 4, but they wouldn't necessarily be overall upgrades over Melo.  They'd bring more size and defensive capability, but less speed, explosiveness and perimeter touch. 

Here's my rotation:

PG-Deron Williams, SG-Kobe Bryant, SF-LeBron James, PF-Carmelo Anthony, C-Dwight Howard

6th-Chris Paul, 7th-Dwyane Wade, 8th-Chris Bosh, 9th-Michael Redd, 10th-Carlos Boozer

11th-Jason Kidd, 12th-Tayshaun Prince

If Prince gets off the bench for anything but a brief defensive assignment, Coach K should have his head examined.  Unless of course, team USA is up by 40 points or something, at which point any 5 could be out there.

Yea, I'm worried a little about Coach K and the rotation, but not too worried.  I'd say there is a legitimate 95 percent chance that USA basketball takes home the gold this summer.  Close to, but not a lock.