It's late July, which means not much is going on in the sports world, especially from my perspective. There's nothing less interesting than pre-NFL training camp "stories", whether they concern rookies, veterans, or senior citizens (although stories like this are at least mildly amusing). I would care more about baseball if my beloved Orioles weren't utterly inept. So given my lack of excitement about those sports, I'm actually more interested in basketball right now, particularly the ongoing tryouts for who will represent Team USA at the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
All 12 members of the "Redeem Team" (a lousy nickname) that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics have decided to sit this one out. So without Kobe, Dwight Howard, or the new Miami Heat trio, the 2010 version of the USA national team will be comprised of a younger group of players when it travels to Turkey next month under the leadership of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Tryouts are already underway, and today the roster was whittled from 19 to 15 players. For the most part, the cuts were not surprising. Washington Wizards center JaVale McGee was a surprise invite in the first place, coming to camp thanks to a strong summer league and a lack of depth in the post in the national team pool. Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, had an ankle injury that limited him in tryouts. My friend Zach and the seven other Charlotte Bobcats fans are sad to hear that forward Gerald Wallace was let go, but he's not a good shooter (shooting is a premium at the international level) and was outplayed by the other guys at his position. Meanwhile, myself and the four other Memphis Grizzlies fans mourn the cut of the great Grizzlies guard Ovinton J'Anthony (O.J.) Mayo, a victim of the numbers game in the backcourt.
The remaining 15 players will continue to battle in an attempt to make the final roster of 12 that will head to Turkey August 28th. Here's a breakdown of each remaining player from 1 to 15 (1 being the most likely to make the team and 15 the least likely).
1. Kevin Durant, guard/forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
The reigning NBA scoring champion, the 6-9, 21 year old phenom is hands down the best player in camp. At his size and with his skill set, he can play the 2-4 and would probably even excel if Coach K elected to play him at point guard or center.
2. Chauncey Billups, guard, Denver Nuggets
Billups probably isn't the best point guard in camp, but he's this high because he is a much needed veteran presence on an otherwise inexperienced team. He's also got an NBA Finals MVP, something no one else in camp can say.
3. Derrick Rose, guard, Chicago Bulls
The 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year is probably the second-best player in camp behind Durant. Even if another point guard like Billups is on the floor at the same time, Team USA will run their offense through Rose.
4. Rudy Gay, forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Even though O.J. Mayo is gone, I can find solace in the fact that the other member of the Grizz in camp is all but a lock to make the squad. The highflying scorer (see the picture) has a fat new contract and led the Durant and Rose-less Blue squad with 23 points in an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night in Vegas. His versatility means Coach K can deploy him at three positions.
5. Lamar Odom, forward, Los Angeles Lakers
The only other veteran presence besides Billups. He's a valuable member of the two-time defending NBA champions and has the most international experience of any player in camp, having been on the squad that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Although he typically plays power forward, Coach K gave him some run at center in the aforementioned scrimmage.
6. Tyson Chandler, center, Dallas Mavericks
While Team USA has lots of athletes with size, they are low on natural big men. Chandler's 7-1 frame and rebounding ability means he will probably make the squad and play big minutes by default. It will be interesting to see how he plays against generally smaller, more perimeter-oriented international competition.
7. Stephen Curry, guard, Golden State Warriors
As a Davidson grad I may be a bit of a homer putting him this high, but Steph Curry's game is made for the international level. He is the best shooter in camp and his three-ball will be a valuable weapon in busting the pesky zones most of the European teams typically employ. He also can play both point and shooting guard, another big plus. And the coach is also his little brother's college coach, if that means anything.
8. Kevin Love, forward, Minnesota Timberwolves
Another guy whose game adapts well to the international level. He's a superb passer and a good shooting big man with three-point range, but he also is a tenacious rebounder.
9. Russell Westbrook, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook, like Curry, can play both guard positions. He's an athletic freak and his speed will be a major asset. It also doesn't hurt that he's teammates with Durant and knows how to get the ball in the hands of Team USA's clear star.
10. Rajon Rondo, guard, Boston Celtics
If I were ranking these guys by NBA success, Rondo would be much higher. He's a walking triple-double at point guard and already has played in two NBA Finals. However, he's hurt by the fact that he is a poor outside shooter and is less versatile than guys like Westbrook and Curry.
11. Brook Lopez, center, New Jersey Nets
Lopez has been disappointing in camp and has battled some health issues, but he'll probably make the squad because of his size and the overall lack of depth in the post. If healthy, he's as good a rebounder as Love and Chandler and a better low post scorer than either.
12. Danny Granger, forward, Indiana Pacers
Either Granger or Andre Iguodala will likely make the final squad as a swingman. Granger has had a weaker camp, but has slightly more size and is a better three-point shooter historically. I give him the slightest edge.
13. Andre Iguodala, forward, Philadelphia 76ers
On the other hand, Iguodala is more athletic than Granger and had a strong performance in the recent scrimmage, scoring 17 points and going 3-3 from behind the arc. That showing coupled with Granger's minor calf strain suffered last week means it would not surprise me if Iguodala gets the nod over Granger.
14. Jeff Green, forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
Green is not a true back-to-basket post and is unlikely to make the squad over Chandler or Lopez. While he is as good an outside shooter as Kevin Love, Love is a much stronger rebounder. Given the plethora of talent on the wing in camp, there just doesn't appear to be room for Green on the final squad.
15. Eric Gordon, guard, Los Angeles Clippers
Gordon is a pure shooting guard and he's not as good a shooter as Curry. The other guards are all better ball-handlers. The Grizzlies homer in me sees no discernable difference between him and O.J. Mayo. But no matter, Gordon probably will only last with the squad a little longer than Mayo.
No comments:
Post a Comment