Team USA Basketball Down to 30

USA Basketball is narrowing down their roster for the 2016 Summer Olympics.  12 will go to Brazil. Today they announced 30 who are in the mix.

• Carmelo Anthony
• LaMarcus Aldridge
• Harrison Barnes
• Bradley Beal
• Jimmy Butler
• Mike Conley
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Anthony Davis
• DeMar DeRozan
• Andre Drummond
• Kevin Durant
• Kenneth Faried
• Rudy Gay
• Paul George
• Draymond Green
• Blake Griffin
• James Harden
• Gordon Hayward
• Dwight Howard
• Andre Iguodala
• Kyrie Irving
• LeBron James
• DeAndre Jordan
• Kawhi Leonard
• Kevin Love
• Chris Paul
• Klay Thompson
• John Wall
• Russell Westbrook

Team USA in 2024

Boston might get the 2024 Summer Olympics.  And while everyone in the city or surrounding area is freaking out about it, let's take a look at what the basketball team could look like.  (Assuming pros are still allowed in 9 years or that basketball is still an Olympic event.)


Roster (Age in 2024)

Anthony Davis (30)
Jahlil Okafor (28)
Jabari Parker (28)
Bradley Beal (30)
John Wall (33)
Damian Lillard (33)
Marcus Smart (29)
Aaron Gordon (28)
Wayne Selden, Jr. (29)
Nerlens Noel (29)
Justise Winslow (27)
LeBron James kid (?)


Head Coach: Brad Stevens

Team USA Basketball Roster

FIBA WORLD CUP:

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets

Last 4 Cut:

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks

Kyle Korver, Atlanta Hawks

USA Select Team

13 players were named to the 2014 USA Select Team.  These guys will play against the World Cup team as they get ready for competition.  I wouldn't say these are the best young players going, but certainly a talented group.  Only two rookies made the team and they were not Jabari Parker and Aaron Gordon. Instead Celtics PG Marcus Smart and Bulls F Doug McDermott.   Here's the full squad. 

Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors)

Trey Burke (Utah Jazz)

Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls)

Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)

Tim Hardaway Jr. (New York Knicks) 

Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic) 

Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls)

Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic)

Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets)

Miles Plumlee (Phoenix Suns)

Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)

Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets)

USA Hoops Roster for World Cup

Team USA has narrowed their group of players down to 19 with only 12 spots available for this summers FIBA World Cup.  Here's the crew right now...

Bradley Beal, Wizards

DeMarcus Cousins, Kings

Stephen Curry, Warriors

Anthony Davis, Pelicans

DeMar DeRozan, Raptors

Andre Drummond, Pistons

Kevin Durant, Thunder

Kenneth Faried, Nuggets

Paul George, Pacers

Blake Griffin, Clippers

James Harden, Rockets

Gordon Hayward, Jazz

Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers

Kyle Korver, Hawks

Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers

Kevin Love, Timberwolves 

Chandler Parsons, Mavericks

Derrick Rose, Bulls

Klay Thompson, Warriors

Tournament starts August 30th.  Team USA opens with Finland. 

They are in Group C:

USA

Turkey

Dominican Republic

Finland

New Zealand

Ukraine

Murderers row. 

Ranking The Best Duos In The NBA

NBA Jam.  What are the best (and worst) two-somes in the NBA.  Leaving injury out of this here is how I rank the NBA Jam possibilities 1-32.   (No subs, just the starting 2).

1. LeBron James & Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
2. James Harden & Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets)
3. Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
4. Chris Paul & Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
5. Tony Parker & Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
6. Damian Lillard & LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)
7. Paul George & Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers)
8. Steph Curry & Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
9. Dirk Nowitzki & Monta Ellis (Dallas Mavericks)
10. Kobe Bryant & Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers) (HURT, I Know)
11. Derrick Rose & Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls)
12. Carmelo Anthony & Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks)
13. Deron Williams & Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets)
14. DeMarcus Cousins & Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings)
15. Kevin Love & Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)
16. John Wall & Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
17. Anthony Davis & Eric Gordon (New Orleans Pelicans)
18. Kyrie Irving & Luol Deng (Cleveland Cavaliers)
19. Zach Randolph & Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies)
20. Paul Millsap & Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks)
21. Rajon Rondo & Jared Sullinger (Boston Celtics)
22. Goran Dragic & Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix Suns)
23. Ty Lawson & Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)
24. DeMar DeRozan & Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
25. Brandon Jennings & Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
26. Al Jefferson & Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats)
27. Arron Afflalo & Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic)
28. Gordon Hayward & Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz)
29. Michael Carter-Williams & Thaddeus Young (Philadelphia 76ers)
30. O.J. Mayo & Brandon Knight (Milwaukee Bucks)

Nailed it.  The injuries make it tough and some of the guys (Deron Williams/ Tyson Chandler, etc.) are having bad seasons.  But I still feel very ok about my rankings. 

Team Canada Basketball Is Going To Be Serious Soon

The Canadians are going to win a medal in 2020.  Other countries have caught up to the United States and given them some good games recently and even beaten them (the miserable 2004 Olympics for one example).  Spain, Argentina, Brazil are all solid.  Greece is nothing to sneeze at, and France, Germany, England all have pros.  But look at what's coming down the road for Canada.

TEAM CANADA (possible future squad)

Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers (#1 pick in 2013 draft)
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas (top incoming freshmen)
Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers (#4 pick in 2011)
Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic (#19 pick in 2012)
Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics (#13 pick in 2013)
Robert Sacre, Los Angeles Lakers
Kris Joseph, Boston Celtics
Cory Joseph, San Antonio Spurs
Myck Kabango, Miami Heat
Andy Rautins, Syracuse/ D-League
Nik Stauskas, Michigan
Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Kyle Wiltjer, Kentucky
Sim Bhullar, New Mexico State (this dude is 7-5)
Brady Heslip, Baylor
Tyler Ennis, Syracuse

Throw in Spurs veteran Matt Bonner who is married to a Canadian and could play for this team.

Unfortunately this group is going to miss out playing with Steve Nash and even Samuel Dalembert.

Ok, they're no lock, but Bennett, Wiggins, Thompson, Nicholson is sick.  Toss in shooters like Rautins and Stauskas, if Kabango or Pangos can run the point, they'll be real solid. 

Team to watch!

Team USA 2012 Finalists

The 20 finalists for the USA Men's Basketball Team for the 2012 London Olympics were announced today. Check out this ridiculous list. (The 12 man roster and alternates will be picked in June.)

Kobe Bryant, Lakers
LeBron James, Heat
Dwyane Wade, Heat
Chris Bosh, Heat
Carmelo Anthony, Knicks
Dwight Howard, Magic
Chris Paul, Clippers
Deron Williams, Nets
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Derrick Rose, Bulls
Tyson Chandler, Knicks
Eric Gordon, Hornets
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Lamar Odom, Mavericks
Chauncey Billups, Clippers
Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Andre Iguodala, 76ers
Blake Griffin, Clippers
LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers

Not sure how Odom snuck past security there but whatever. Billups is probably an easy cut too. I like their chances this summer.

-Keefe

Picking Team USA

The World Championships are this month out in Turkey. Team USA has narrowed down their roster to 15 players, but only 12 can make the trip. Who are the odd men out?

Guards:

Chauncey Billups, Nuggets

Eric Gordon, Clippers

Derrick Rose, Bulls

Rajon Rondo, Celtics

Russell Westbrook, Thunder

Stephen Curry, Warriors

Forwards:

Kevin Durant, Thunder
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies

Jeff Green, Thunder

Danny Granger, Pacers

Andre Iguodala, 76ers

Lamar Odom, Lakers

Kevin Love, Timberwolves

Centers:

Tyson Chandler, Mavericks

Brook Lopez, Nets

What do you think? Very guard/wing heavy for sure. Kevin Durant is the only lock to make this team, and certainly the only lock to start. I got Derrick Rose running the show for this team, but you could make an argument for any of the guards to start.

Brian Robb (from CelticsHub.com) and I debated who should make this team, the podcast will be posted soon. I'll wait til that comes out to reveal my team, but I'll let you know right now that we only agreed on 1 of the cuts.

Should be interesting and for basketball fans the Olympics and World Championships always provide a fun and unique atmosphere. None of the Gold medalists from 2008 are going to be playing this time around, giving another group of stars a change to shine on the international stage.

-Rich Keefe

Umm is this kid serious?

I don't care if this was Michael Jordan giving me a Peter North facial in a pickup game at the Y, this is absolutely absurd...



WTF??? This kid should win an ESPY...right now. I'm in absolute awe.

-Bess

NBA Awards '08-'09

The NBA season is over, and the playoffs will begin tomorrow, with or without KG. So it has become a tradition for me to unveil my NBA regular season awards, with or without KG. I'm not going to do an elaborate break down for each award, because 1. you probably wouldn't read it and 2. I'm still bummed out about Garnett. If you have questions or comments leave a... (for lack of a better word) comment at the bottom and I'll get back to you. On with the show...

MVP
1. Dwyane Wade, Heat
2. LeBron James, Cavs
3. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
4. Chris Paul, Hornets
5. Paul Pierce, Celtics

Honorable Mention:
Dwight Howard, Magic
Brandon Roy, Blazers
Chauncey Billups, Nuggets

Yeah I went there, D-Wade is my MVP. I know everyone in the world has LeBron, because he's the best player in the world and on arguably the best team in the world. Well, Wade has a far weaker supporting cast, and is the only player in the league to average 30+ points per game. Not many people thought the Heat would be a playoff team (I did check the archieves), and he got them to a 5 seed. In addition to finishing 1st in points, Wade was 2nd in steals, 8th in assists, and 16th in block shots. That's right 16th in the league in blocked shots.

LeBron led his team in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Only the 4th time in league history has that happened. Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, and Kevin Garnett are the only others to accomplish that ridiculous feat. Yeah fine, he might be the MVP.

Alright no more break down after picks.

Defensive Player of the Year
1. Dwight Howard, Magic
2. Dwyane Wade, Heat
3. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
4. LeBron James, Cavs
5. Gerald Wallace, Bobcats

(that will also be my All-NBA Defensive Team)

6th Man of the Year
1. Jason Terry, Mavericks
2. Nate Robinson, Knicks
3. J.R. Smith, Nuggets
4. Michael Beasley, Heat
5. Travis Outlaw, Blazers

Rookie of the Year/ 1st Team All-NBA Rookie
1. Derrick Rose, Bulls
2. O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies
3. Russell Westbrook, Thunder
4. Brook Lopez, Nets
5. Eric Gordon, Clippers

2nd Team All-NBA Rookie
Michael Beasley, Heat
D.J. Augustin, Bobcats
Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Mario Chalmers, Heat
Rudy Fernandez, Blazers

What a deep rookie class. Those are my top 10, but I'm leaving out Marc Gasol, Jason Thompson, Anthony Morrow, Courtney Lee, and even Greg Oden.

Most Improved is a Joke, I will not even waste my time on it. It is the biggest slap in the face award in the history of awards. If you have ever won a "Most Improved Award" just know that it is a nice way of them saying that you sucked before. Moving on.

Coach of the Year
1. Rick Adelman, Rockets
2. Nate McMillan, Blazers
3. George Karl, Nuggets
4. Erik Spoelstra, Heat
5. Mike Brown, Cavs

All- NBA 1st Team
Dwyane Wade, Heat
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
LeBron James, Cavs
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Dwight Howard, Magic

All-NBA 2nd Team
Chris Paul, Hornets
Brandon Roy, Blazers
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Tim Duncan, Spurs
Yao Ming, Rockets

All-NBA 3rd Team
Tony Parker, Spurs
Chauncey Billups, Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Pau Gasol, Lakers

-Keefe

Pick-Up Hoops Anyone

These guys did a nice job coming up with all the "that-guys" from pick up hoops. I wish I thought of it myself, but nonetheless enjoy this.




-Keefe

Keefe's Top 5 NBA Players by Position

Here are the Top 5 players at each position in the NBA. Let the debate begin.

Point Guard:

1. Chris Paul
2. Deron Williams
3. Steve Nash
4. Tony Parker
5. Baron Davis

Shooting Guard:

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Dwyane Wade
3. Joe Johnson
4. Brandon Roy
5. Vince Carter

Small Forward:

1. LeBron James
2. Paul Pierce
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Caron Butler
5. Danny Granger

Power Forward:

1. Tim Duncan
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Chris Bosh
4. Amare Stoudemire
5. Dirk Nowitzki

Center:

1. Dwight Howard
2. Shaquille O'Neal
3. Yao Ming
4. Al Jefferson
5. Marcus Camby

What do you think?

Hall of Famer? You Make the Call

20 current and former NBA players, you make the call, do they belong in the Hall? I will provide you with some of the numbers, including career and key stats, honors, and awards, but you decide. I will also make my pick. The list starts with retired players then gets into the current guys. It’s the Basketball Hall of Fame, so remember college honors are also a factor. Let's get on with the star studded list.

Reggie Miller

Resume:
18 seasons
18.2 ppg., 3 rpg., 3 apg. All-time 3 point leader. 8th all-time free throw percentage. 5 time All-Star. 3 time All-NBA 3rd Team. Highest finish in MVP vote: 13th.

Yes. This is a great way to start off. I was on the other side of the fence probably a year ago. After looking through all the numbers and other players who are in the Hall, I give Reggie the nod. 18 points per game over 18 seasons is very impressive, as is his ability from beyond the arc. 0 titles but played against the best, and certainly didn’t run from the moment. I got him in, but it’s very close, and I will probably feel he’s not in by the time I’m done with this.

Brad Daugherty

Resume:
8 seasons
19 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game. 5 time All-Star. All-Rookie 1st Team. All-NBA 3rd Team. 2nd Team All-American at UNC. Highest finish in MVP vote: 10th

No. If Daugherty could have stayed healthy and played longer he gets in for sure. Close to 20-10 for his career is impossible to argue. Like Miller didn’t win any titles, but unlike Miller didn’t have a lengthy career.

Chris Mullin

Resume:
16 seasons
18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals per game. 5 time All-Star. All-NBA 1st Team, All-NBA 2nd Team (2), All-NBA 3rd Team. 1st Team All-American, 2nd Team All-American, Wooden Award Winner at St. John’s. Member of 1992 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Team. (The Dream Team). Highest finish in MVP vote: 6th.

Yes. This is a great example where achievements outside of the NBA could help a guy get in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Mullin was an incredible college players and a member of the greatest basketball team ever assembled.

Mark Price

Resume:
12 seasons
15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals per game. 4 time All-Star. All-NBA 1st Team, All-NBA 3rd Team (3). 2nd Team All-American, 3rd Team All-American at Georgia Tech. 90.4 career free throw percentage best in NBA history. Highest finish in MVP vote: 7th.

No. Price is one of the best point guards of the past 25 years (wrote a fantastic article about that a few months back, check the archives), but I still don’t think he did enough to get into the Hall. Imagine Price and Daugherty’s legacy had it not been for one Michael Jordan, or if his Airness was drafted by Portland in the Western Conference.

Penny Hardaway

Resume:
14 seasons (parts of)
15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.6 steals per game. 4 time All-Star. All NBA 1st Team (2), All-NBA 3rd Team. 1st Team All-American at Memphis. Highest finish in MVP vote: 3rd.

No. Certainly began his career on his way to being a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. He was the best PG in the NBA for 2-3 seasons in a row. It looked like the Orlando Magic were going to be contenders for years. His career numbers were ruined as he tried to hang around the league post injuries. In 14 seasons Penny played 82 games just twice.

Larry Johnson

Resume:
10 seasons
16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game. 2 time All-Star. Rookie of the Year. All-Rookie 1st Team. All-NBA 2nd Team. 1st Team All-American (2), Wooden Award, Naismith Award winner, NCAA Champion at UNLV.

No. The Runnin Rebels of the early 1990s was one of the greatest college teams of all-time. Fun to watch, they won a National Title, and nearly went undefeated the next year if the refs and NCAA weren’t so Pro-Duke. That’s a different article for a different time. LJ was the #1 pick in the draft after being the best college player in the country. He wont the Rookie of the Year award the that season, but injuries bit Johnson and he could not play the same game he had out in Vegas or few seasons in Charlotte.

Horace Grant

Resume:
17 seasons
11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds per game. 1 time All-Star. 4 time NBA Champion. All-Defensive 2nd Team (4). 2nd Team All-American at Clemson.

No. Great defensive player and rebounder, Grant had a long career with 4 rings to show from it. Good player who was in the right place at the right time with both the Bulls and Lakers, also was a part of the Magic team that got swept by the Rockets. 1-time All-Stars don’t belong in the Hall.

Kevin Johnson

Resume:
12 seasons
17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.5 steals per game. 3 time All-Star. All-NBA 2nd Team (4), All-NBA 3rd Team. NBA Most Improved. Highest finish in MVP vote: 7th.

Yes. I got KJ in the Hall. A career average of 18 points and 9 dimes? I’ll take that on my team. This is another great debate, but I only had 6-7 point guards ahead of him in my life time, that’s good enough.

Dennis Rodman

Resume:
14 seasons
7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds per game. 2 time All-Star. All-NBA 3rd Team (2), 2 time Defensive Player of the Year. All- Defensive 1st Team (7), All- Defensive 2nd Team. 5 time NBA Champion. Led NBA in RPG 7 seasons. Highest finish in MVP vote: 10th.

Yes. Maybe his cross dressing and hair color and everything else will keep him out, but he deserves to be in. He had titles like a Horry and Ho. Grant, but the Worm was one of the best defensive players of all-time, and maybe the best rebounding power forwards not named Malone or Barkley. Twice Rodman average more than 18 rebounds a game.

Tim Hardaway

Resume:
13 seasons
17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.6 steals per game. 5 time All-Star. 1st Team All-Rookie. All-NBA 1st Team, All-NBA 2nd Team (3), All-NBA 3rd Team. Highest finish in MVP vote: 4th.

Yes. The killer crossover is in. Homophobic comments aside, Hardaway was a great point guard for many years in the league. Both with the Warriors and the Heats he was a game changer. He had skillz. (In Hardaway accent)

Shawn Kemp

Resume:
14 seasons:
14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks per game. 6 time All-Star. All-NBA 2nd Team (3). Highest finish in MVP vote: 7th.

No. If there was a Hall of Fame for in-game dunkers, it would probably be named after him. But unfortunately I’m going to have to leave the Reign Man out of the real Hall. Great moments, and extremely likable teams in Seattle, but not enough to get him in.

Chris Webber

Resume:
15 seasons
20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks per game. 5 time All-Star. NBA Rookie of the Year. 1st Team All-Rookie. All-NBA 1st Team, All-NBA 2nd Team (3), All-NBA 3rd Team. 1st Team All-American at Michigan. Highest finish in MVP vote: 4th. (5 Top 10s).

Yes. I wrote an entire article on C-Webb when he retired. Feel free to pour through the archives to find it. He’s a slam dunk Hall of Famer in my mind. Webber is 1 of 6 players to average 20-9-4. The others? Baylor, Wilt, Billy Cunningham, Bird, and Garnett, with the 1st four in the Hall already.

Robert Horry

Resume:
16 seasons
7 points, 4.8 rebounds per game. 2nd Team All-Rookie. 7 time NBA Champion. 244 career playoff games, and 261 playoff 3PM ranks 2nd all-time (Reggie Miller).

No. 7 time NBA Champion! That’s a lot of rings. I know “Big Shot Bob” got that name for a reason, but playing with Hakeem, Shaq, Kobe, and Duncan will help you get those titles. People will point to those championships, I point to the career averages and 0 All-Star selections. Hall of Fame is an individual award, sorry Bob.

Tracey McGrady

Resume:
Playing 12th season
22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals per game. 7 Time All-Star. All-NBA 1st Team (2), All-NBA 2nd Team (3), All-NBA 3rd Team (2). NBA Most Improved Player. Highest finish in MVP vote 4th (6 top 8s).

Yes. I know he’s never made it out of the 1st round of the playoffs, but he has time to fix that. T-Mac already ranks 73rd All-Time in points scored in the NBA, and he won’t be 30 until after this season. Say what you want, but be sure to check out the numbers.

Ray Allen

Resume:
Playing 13th season
21 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game. 8 time All-Star. All-Rookie 2nd Team. All-NBA 2nd Team, All-NBA 3rd Team. NBA Champion. 1st Team All-American and 3rd Team All-American while at UConn. Highest finish in MVP vote 9th.

Yes. I would have given Ray the nod before winning the title last year with the Celtics, so I believe that only pushes him over the cliff. He’s 2nd All-Time behind Miller in 3 pointers made and has one of the best shots the game has ever seen. And he played Jesus Shuttlesworth in He Got Game, so come on.

Vince Carter

Resume:
Playing 11th season
23.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists 1.3 steals per game. 8 time All-Star. NBA Rookie of the Year. All Rookie 1st Team. All-NBA 2nd Team, All-NBA 3rd Team. 2nd Team All-American at North Carolina. Highest finish in MVP vote 10th.

Yes. A lot of people would probably argue with this, particularly in Toronto. Vincanity is 67th currently on the NBA’s scoring list, and only going up. 24 points per game career average, is the 18th best all-time. Like him or not he’s a Hall of Famer.

Grant Hill

Resume:
Playing 14th season
18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals per game. 7 time All-Star. NBA Rookie of the Year. 1st Team All-Rookie. All-NBA 1st Team, All-NBA 2nd Team (4). 1st Team All-American and 3rd Team All-American at Duke. Highest finish in MVP vote 3rd.

No. To me, very much like Penny Hardaway. They both began their careers on the fast track to Springfield. I remember thinking when they announced the “50 Greatest Players List” back in the day that they needed to add Grant Hill. (and Dominique Wilkins, whose omission made that list a bit of a joke). But unfortunately not enough good seasons to get him in.

Tony Parker

Resume:
Playing 8th season
16.2 points, 5.5 assists per game. 2 time All-Star. 1st Team All-Rookie. 3 time NBA Champion. Finals MVP. Highest finish in MVP vote 9th.

No. At least not yet. Parker is the youngest guy on this list, and clearly has the most game left barring injuries. His 3 titles put him in the conversation, but the stats needed to increase, and they are.

Chauncey Billups

Resume:
Playing 12th season
14.9 points, 5.6 assists per game. 3 time All-Star. All-NBA 2nd Team, All-NBA 3rd Team. All-Defensive 2nd Team (2). NBA Champion, Finals MVP. 2nd Team All-American at Colorado. Highest finish in MVP vote 5th.

No. I go back and forth on Billups much like Reggie Miller. Right now I’m saying he has not done enough to get in. Just 3 all-star games and the career numbers don’t wow you. Finals MVP helps, but I think he needs to do more.

Paul Pierce

Resume:
Playing 11th season
23 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals per game. 6 time All-Star. 1st Team All-Rookie. All-NBA 3rd Team (3). NBA Champion, Finals MVP. 1st Team All-American at Kansas. Highest finish in MVP vote 11th.

Yes. Like Ray Allen I felt Pierce was a Hall of Famer before last year’s championship. Well that solidified it for me, and another inevitable All-Star selection won’t hurt. One more championship would make him a slam dunk 1st ballot guy. As Shaquille O’Neal once eloquently put it, “Paul Pierce is the mother f***in truth.”

There it is. Leave your comments with thoughts on 1, 2, or all of these players.

-Keefe

Picking Team USA

-KeefeThe NBA Finals is just the start for what should be a tremendous summer for basketball. August will bring the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and a chance for Team USA to recapture their rightful title as the World’s Best Basketball Team. 2004 was the first time since using pros (not using Dream Teams, there is only 1 Dream Team. Don't compare any other team to the one in '92 with Jordan, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Ewing, Robinson, Malone, Stockton, Pippen, Mullen, Drexler, and token college star Laettner, that was a Dream Team). USA followed up that Gold two more in '96 and 2000. But 4 years ago there was a rude awakening. Other countries could, in fact, play the game. The likes of Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Carlos Delfino, Walter Herrmann, Fabricio Oberto, and Argentina took home the top prize. America didn’t even made it to the final game, and settled for the Bronze.

A concerted effort has since been put in place to lead the US back to the top of the hoops mountain. Jerry Colangelo serves as the managing director of the team. He selected Coach K to lead his squad and set up a program where he got a commitment from many star players. Instead of choosing 12 All-Stars and maybe have a scrimmage or two before being tossed into major competition, Colangelo turned this into a real team that can be built upon. It was evident in the FIBA Tournament of the Ameircas where Team USA steam rolled the every squad in their path, but this summer they'll be playing against the world's best.

33 finalists were chosen a couple years ago to both qualify for and win the Olympic games. With less than 2 months before the Opening Ceremony, I thought I would offer my humble opinion on who should make up this “Gold Medal or Bust” team. There has still been no official word on who the 12 players will be, but looking at the lists of hopefuls you can clearly see, locks to me on, and locks to be off. Let’s take a look.

The 33 players available to Team USA:

Carmelo Anthony
Gilbert Arenas
Shane Battier
Chauncey Billups
Chris Bosh
Carlos Boozer
Bruce Bowen
Elton Brand
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Nick Collison
Kevin Durant
Kirk Hinrich
Dwight Howard
Joe Johnson
Jason Kidd
LeBron James
Antawn Jamison
Shawn Marion
Brad Miller
Mike Miller
Adam Morrison
Greg Oden
Lamar Odom
Chris Paul
Paul Pierce
Tayshaun Prince
Michael Redd
J.J. Redick
Luke Ridnour
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
Deron Williams

For my first round of cuts I will simply get rid of the obvious picks. Some of these guys just have no business being on Team USA in 2008, and in a few cases, ever.

1st cuts: Bruce Bowen, Nick Collison, Kevin Durant, Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Adam Morrison, Greg Oden, J.J. Redick, Luke Ridnour

That leaves you with 24 players, exactly twice as many guys as you are allowed to dress out in Beijing.

Remaining players:

Carmelo Anthony
Gilbert Arenas
Shane Battier
Chauncey Billups
Chris Bosh
Carlos Boozer
Elton Brand
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Dwight Howard
Joe Johnson
Jason Kidd
LeBron James
Antawn Jamison
Shawn Marion
Mike Miller
Lamar Odom
Chris Paul
Paul Pierce
Tayshaun Prince
Michael Redd
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
Deron Williams

2nd round of cuts gets rid of 6 very talented players. It’s difficult picking any of these players to leave behind. Injuries play a major role in saying goodbye to most (not all) of these guys. They may be healthy by Beijing, but after missing time in the regular season no need to rush back with so many other able bodies. I’ll have to reluctantly part with: Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chauncey Billups, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, and Tayshaun Prince.

Remaining players:

Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Carlos Boozer
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Dwight Howard
Joe Johnson
Jason Kidd
LeBron James
Antawn Jamison
Mike Miller
Lamar Odom
Chris Paul
Paul Pierce
Michael Redd
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
Deron Williams

Now you have to start looking at positions. If you’ve seen the international games you know that it’s different that just a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. Quality lineups usually have 1 big man, a point guard, and basically 3 wing type players.

Point guards left: Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Deron Williams

Wing/ slasher/ shooters left: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Joe Johnson, LeBron James, (Antawn Jamison), Mike Miller, Lamar Odom, Paul Pierce, Michael Redd, Dwayne Wade

Big men: Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Tyson Chandler, Dwight Howard, (Antawn Jamison), Amare Stoudemire

In my opinion you need 2-3 from group 1, 6-7 group 2, and 3-4 from group 3.

Starters: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwight Howard

2nd unit: Deron Williams, Dwayne Wade, Michael Redd, Antawn Jamison, Amare Stoudemire

That’s my 10 man squad; therefore you’re left to pick 2 players out of the following: Jason Kidd, Joe Johnson, Mike Miller, Lamar Odom, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, and Tyson Chandler.

There are 2 point guards, 5(6) wings, and 2(3) big men. Probably should take a low post rebounder type (Bosh, Boozer, or Chandler) and a slasher/ scorer (Johnson, Miller, Odom, Pierce). I love Paul Pierce, (he’s my favorite player and pre-series pick for Finals MVP) but his history with the front office of Team USA, and fellow wing players will keep him off. Miller isn’t bad, but with Redd on the team he can stay home, and Lamar Odom doesn’t do it for me here either. I’ll take Joe Johnson, a guy who can do it all, and as the 11th man that’s a luxury. Up front is difficult to sort out. Chandler is the best defender/rebounder, Boozer the best scorer, and Bosh probably a combination of the two. You’ll do well with any of these guys. However I wouldn’t expect a ton of time from any of them. It’s hard to leave Kidd out, and maybe they’ll want his experience, but his play in Dallas coupled with the growth of both Paul and Williams leave him off my roster.

So here is my 2008 Team USA Olympic Team:

Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Dwight Howard
Joe Johnson
LeBron James
Antawn Jamison
Chris Paul
Michael Redd
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
Deron Williams

Let’s hope they can bring back the gold.

And the NBA MVP is...

-Besse

The Lebron James NBA MVP award:

Lebron James – James should never be a candidate for MVP because he’s such an easy choice. The rest of the Cleveland squad sucks – aside from Zydrunas Ilguaskas, maybe. During the 2008 season, James has missed six games. In those six games, the Cavaliers went a sterling 0-6, losing by an average of 17 points including a 109-74 laugher at Detroit.

James is like Tommy Rodrigues to me: the larger-than-life, better than everyone else 12-year old that we all knew in Little League. The kid whose team won the league championship only because he threw a shutout every game and hit a homerun everytime he got up. He was so big, so intimidating and so good that you cringed everytime he threw a ball or swung a bat. You couldn’t beat him – at the plate or on the mound – so you’re only chance was to contain him. That’s more or less what NBA teams do when they face the Cavs. You hope and pray that Lebron doesn’t go off on one of his 40 point spectacles. In games where he dropped 40 or more, the Cavs were 6-1. The only loss was a 104-99 defeat to the Nets in which New Jersey scored 38 in the first quarter and had to hold off 14 fourth-quarter points from the King.

But that’s what this guy does. Bill Simmons alluded to it in referencing “The LeBron James ‘Don't Help Me Up, I Don't Even Want To Look At You Because You Suck So Much, I Can't Believe We're On The Same Team’ Face” that he must give to teammates during every game. The guy is not just the only great NBA player on his team, but the only good player. If Lebron wasn’t on the Cavs, they’d be so bad they wouldn’t just miss the playoffs, but they might miss the lottery.

The Boston Park League used to have a rule where every year the worst team in the league got kicked out and they pulled the best team from the Yawkey League; a big-league call-up, of sorts. But needless to say, it was pretty embarrassing if you finished with the worst record and got the boot. That’s what the NBA would have to do if Lebron ever went down for the season or left Cleveland. And yet in five NBA season with Lebron, the Cavs have finished below .500 once (his rookie year), notched 50 wins twice, are on the verge of a 3rd straight post-season appearance and have lost in the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals the last two seasons. Oh and the two years they didn’t make the playoffs? They missed out by one game in ’03-’04 and lost a tiebreaker in ’04-’05.

So for James, who is averaging nearly 27/7/7 per game over his career, let’s just give him his own MVP award and let the rest of the guys battle it out for one available to the rest of the league.

As far as 2008, he’s averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game while carrying a team of nobodies to the playoffs for the 3rd straight year. The Cavs will most likely be the 4th seed and host Washington, which would be even more intriguing if Gilbert Arenas hadn’t missed most of the season. There’s nothing better than watching two guys go back and forth scoring as if forgetting there are eight other guys on the floor. The Cavaliers will be a tough match-up for anyone in the playoffs solely because of James. And god forbid, if anyone else happens to resemble a legitimate NBA player they could seemingly go pretty deep into the playoffs.

The actual 2008 NBA MVP award

The serious candidates:

These guys garner the most attention, having truly played MVP-type seasons in their own way.

Kobe Bryant – While an MVP award is based on what a player has done over the course of the season, one can argue that most winners or worthy candidates make their case in the final slew of regular season games as his/her team makes a final push towards the playoffs. That’s what Kobe and the Lakers have done this April. This is a team that was written off by everyone at the beginning of the season amid talks that Kobe would undoubtedly be traded to Chicago or anyone else that would get him out of L.A. Instead, Kobe has averaged 28.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. In April, the Lakers are 6-1 and have won 7 of their last 8 games dating back to March 30. The late push has them one win away from clinching the top spot in the ever-close Western Conference.

While Bryant hasn’t had to do it with a cast of losers like Lebron, the addition of Pau Gasol was more an answer to the loss of Andrew Bynum. You can argue that the Lakers have gotten great play from a supporting cast of Gasol, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher, but the bottom line is Kobe has stepped up and taken a true leadership role. This is a guy who asked to be shipped out of there, and yet he’s put that behind him and embraced this team while leading it to the top of the uber-talented Western Conference.

Kevin Garnett – “The Big Ticket” has been outstanding, averaging 19 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. His biggest contribution isn’t an individual statistic but rather a team one, helping the C’s hold opponents to only 90.2 ppg. And his presence has opened up opportunities for Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe and Rajon Rondo. They’ve all stepped up to the challenge and the Celtics have accomplished the greatest season turnaround in NBA history.

The knock on Garnett’s candidacy is that Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are the other members of the “Big Three.” Pierce has led the Celtics in scoring in 9 of the last 10 years and Allen is averaging almost 18 ppg. It’s the same type of issue a guy like David Ortiz might have when Manny Ramirez is batting right behind you in the lineup. How can you give an MVP to one guy when a couple teammates, especially Pierce, is just as invaluable as he is? It’s a fair argument and while Pierce hasn’t had a season that will garner him any MVP attention, thus stealing votes from Garnett, it certainly won’t help his cause.

Chris Paul – Paul is undoubtedly the heir apparent to the likes of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, and he’s putting up numbers much like Isiah Thomas and Kevin Johnson did throughout their NBA careers. He’s averaging 21.1 points, 11.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He’s the type of players that makes everyone else on the court better. Tyson Chandler and David West are perfect examples of this, having seen their season averages dramatically improve since playing alongside Paul the last three seasons. West, in particular, has made the jump from “Who is David West?” to “Yo, I picked up David West for my fantasy team!”

The Hornets, much like the Pistons, have one of the deeper pools of talent in its starting lineup and rotation, but this offense could not function without Paul in it. While it’s a small sample, Paul missed two games this season and the Hornets scored an average of 85 ppg in his absence. They’re averaging over 100 ppg in ’08. Again, it’s a small sample, but it shows the kind of effect Paul has on how well the offense runs. And while his 2.7 steals per game aren’t slowing down opponents’ 95 ppg, it shows just how well-rounded a player he is. This guy should get serious consideration.

The perennial candidates:

It’s almost a free pass for these guys, having reached a point where every year you could more or less make a compelling case to some extent.

Tim Duncan – A model of consistency, Duncan has averaged almost 22 points and 12 rebounds over his 11-year career. This year, he’s scored over 19 points and grabbed more than 11 boards per game. His numbers are down slightly if you even want to call it that, but that’s because Manu Ginobli is scoring 5 more ppg than his career average and taken some of the pressure off the big guy. That being said, you may ask why Ginobli wouldn’t get consideration since he’s also averaging a full assist more per game this season. But let’s face it: Duncan is the reason the Spurs will contend for a title every year and there are too many guards who are more worthy of the award than Ginobli.

Steve Nash – For me, personally, he re-established the importance of the point guard position and gave reason to follow it closely. This guy has made the position a spectacle to watch. Closed passing lanes become open; bad passes become good ones; and lock-down defenses become sieves when Nash takes the floor. He’s biblical in a way. The Moses of the NBA. When you breakdown point guards of the new generation, you compare them to the likes of Nash and Kidd. It’s the ability to make everyone else on the court better, not just with mediocre talent but with a roster full of egos, as well. Nash doesn’t just do it, he teaches it. Others emulate it, or at least try to, and he personifies the true meaning of a point guard. He’s the owner of six all-star game appearances and two MVP’s and Nash has flourished in Phoenix under the run-and-gun system. This season has been no different and with the offense beginning to mesh with Stoudemaire and Shaq, the Suns could finally jump that hurdle.

Also receiving recognition

These players also had terrific years, but there’s too much going against them to warrant any serious, legitimate campaigns for MVP.

Amare Stoudemaire – He’s averaging 25 ppg which is five points higher than his career average. I don’t think Shaq was too far off when mentioning him in the same breath as other MVP candidates like Paul, Kobe and Lebron. But in my opinion, anyone on a team with Steve Nash should never win an MVP, plain and simple. While Stoudemaire could have impressive, All-Star seasons on other teams with other point guards, he’ll only have numbers like this when he’s with Nash. And if another guy is the reason you’re better than good, you don’t any awards, he does.

Dwight Howard – Sorry, Dwight, but Hedo Turkoglu’s breakout season ruins any chance of you winning this award. That and you finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference, which is like placing in the JV wrestling tournament in high school, which I did. While it was a nice accomplishment, I was almost ashamed. Who the hell wants to wrestle in the JV tournament anyway? That’s what teams like the Celtics and Pistons must feel like right now - almost embarrassed that they have to play in the East. So you dominate everyone else and then get ready for the Varsity games. But give credit to Howard, whose Superman dunk was a microcosm of the type of season he’s had just dunking on anyone and everyone. His 21 points and 14 boards a game are legit and he’s doing it with Jameer Nelson as the point guard. It’s like a high school team relying on a JV point guard to run the show. The coach basically tells him to pass the ball to the good players and don’t dribble, shoot or pass any more than you need to.

Tracy McGrady – Sure, the 22-game winning streak was a nice story, especially since it was done without the services of key big man Yao Ming. But what bothers me is how mediocre the team was before both the streak and Ming’s injury. Case in point, the Rockets will finish in 5th or 6th despite the 22 consecutive wins. As competitive as the West is, that should have separated them from the pack, not helped them catch up to it. But McGrady has had another solid season, scoring 22 ppg and dishing out over 5 dimes per night. The scoring is down a bit, but the Rockets have shown considerable depth and several guys, such as Alston, Scola, Landry and Battier have all played well in filling the gap left by Ming.

Dirk Nowitski – Nowitski is averaging 23.8 points and almost 4 assists and 9 rebounds per game, but the Mavericks have been a bit of a disappointment. Dirk’s numbers aren’t much different than those of his MVP season last year, but he’s not shooting as well especially from beyond the arc and Dallas has such a deep crop of scorers that while Dirk is still the most valuable member of his team, he’s not the most valuable of the league.

And the winner is…

Lebron James would be my MVP choice. The Cavaliers supporting cast is D-league material and that city should count its blessing every night. But the choice of Lebron seems so easy that I expect the voters to completely overlook him and focus on Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant. And since I’ve chosen to honor King James with the MVP award that also happens to be his namesake, I’ll narrow my choice down to Paul and Bryant, as well. I’m going with Bryant here.

This will be the closest MVP race ever because you can make a solid case for four guys: James, Bryant, Paul and Garnett. And while Chris Paul falls into the Steve Nash category of making everyone better, Kobe has taken a tumultuous situation and made it work. The Lakers were counted out before the season and surprised everyone with a hot start. But after Bynum went down, it was seen as the beginning of the end for this sudden renaissance. Then the Lakers went out and literally stole Pau Gasol from Memphis. And while you can argue that Kobe has had a solid supporting cast all season, you also need to recognize that he has never wavered. Despite the off-season trade rumors, his desire to leave L.A., the Bynum injury and everything else over the course of the season, Bryant has kept this team steady and ready. His numbers are what they always are, and he’s second in scoring only to King James. But more importantly, the wins are there and the Lakers are on the verge of the top seed in the West. Paul and Co. have had a tremendous season and will likely finish 2nd by a game, but the bottom line is the Lakers have done so much more than expected. And they have Kobe and his newfound leadership ability to thank for it.

-Besse