Well, this blog is going to be who I think should make the Senior National Team out of the 17 trying out for it this week. Also, it will say what I think about the coaches, the Pan Am team, and how I think they will do.

Here is the list of guys expected at the training which starts today:
Carmelo Anthony
Shane Battier
Chauncey Billups
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Durant
Kirk Hinrich
Dwight Howard
LeBron James
Jason Kidd
Mike Miller
Tayshaun Prince
Michael Redd
J.J. Redick
Amare Stoudemire
Deron Williams

Now, that is a very impressive list which includes 3 NBA First-Teamers. But of those seventeen players, only 12 will get to play for Team USA. After the training camp is finished, they will divide into two teams and play on the campus of UNLV. Then they will trim their roster to the final 12 to go play in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 starting on August 22nd.

Now here's my list of who should make the final cut:
Kirk Hinrich
Jason Kidd
Deron Williams
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Michael Redd
Carmelo Anthony
Shane Battier
Chris Bosh
Amare Stoudemire
Tyson Chandler
Dwight Howard

And my list of who should start:
Deron Williams, PG- I think he's the best pick over Kidd and Hinrich. He really proved himself in this past year's playoffs and I think could be the great playmaker that Team USA needs.
Kobe Bryant, SG- You will see Kobe pass the ball at the Championships. He's already expressed that he wants to play for Coach K and is eager to have a great surrounding cast.
Shane Battier, SF- Defense. That is why he will start. They already have enough scorers in the starting five and you could always use another great defender.
Amare Stoudemire, PF- He's a powerful force who can run the floor, rebound, and score. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?
Dwight Howard, C- This frontcourt will be untouchable at the Championships. Dwight Howard is a bruiser who is an amazing rebounder.

The coaching staff includes Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns, Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, and Nate McMillan of the Portland TrailBlazers. This group of coaches is perfect. They have two of the best coaches the NBA has to offer combined with two Hall of Fame college coaches. I think that it was very important to have some college coaching in there. It's a great mix and a good job by Jerry Colangelo.

Now here is the roster of the USA Pan American team:
Joey Dorsey
Wayne Ellington
Shan Foster
James Gist
Roy Hibbert
Maarty Leunen
Derrick Low
Eric Maynor
Drew Neitzel
Scottie Reynolds
Kyle Weaver
D.J. White

Jay Wright of Villanova was picked to be the head coach of the squad. I think this team will not lose one game. They have everything needed to do terrific in the games.

As for the Men's Senior National Team, I think they have the chance to be great. But first, they must get past all of their egos. They have to obtain camaradarie and teamwork on and off the court if they hope to do well. They have to play for the name on the front of the jersey and not on the back. If they fail this time USA Basketball might as well look to go back to college talent to play in the Olympics.

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