Posted by onslaught on 5/29/2013 4:08:00 PM (view original):
Let me start by assuming we are talking USA vs The World? With that in mind consider the difference in the FIBA style. There was a stretch where the US was getting crushed by inferior talent. Our guys looked clueless at times, which is the main reason for the new structure for USA Basketball. I will give you a starting 5 for conversation purposes, but the team is being designed to be interchangeable based on opponent strength and weaknesses.
Starters?
C- Hakeem Olajuwan - has the foot speed, length, and defensive skills to cover the 3 perimeter game of some of the Eurepean bigs.
PF- Charles Barkley- he scored at will in 92. He will also give you another rebounding option when dream gets pulled away from the basket.
SF- Le Bron James- he gives you to many options . He can guard guards and forwards, he can play the 1,2,3, and 4. And is smart enough to figure out his roll around the other players on the court.
SG- Michael Jordan- no explanation needed.
PG- Magic Johnson- mainly for his ability to orchestrate the offense, but he can play every position on the court if needed.
Alternates
Larry Bird- Because it would be disrespectful to not have him on the roster.
Kareem Abdul Jabar- would fit nice if you moved Dream to the 4. And with FIBA going to the thinner lane the Sky Hook would give the World nightmares.
Reggie Miller- can spread the floor, hit the clutch shot, or put it on the floor and drive past you. The FIBA game will rely so much on the 3 that you need to make sure you can keep up.
Chris Paul- to handle water bug PG (Bill Simmons). A good substitute to relieve Magic and gives you a different look than Magic.
Dennis Rodman- We need no more scoring. But the main reason here is the World is no longer scared of our players. Teaming him and Barkley would give us some intimidation as well as an irritant. Plus the fact that he would provide us with a master Flopper so abundantly accepted in FIBA.
Scottie Pippen- to have a comfort/reliability level with MJ when we go lock down defense and "release the dobermans". A poor mans Le Bron.
Tim Duncan- understands the team concept. Has superior footwork. Can guard all European bigs.
Head Coach- Greg Popovich
AHC- Mike Kryzesjkihvcdfftgnkne
Missing the Cut
Wilt Chamberlain- Would struggle as a perimeter defender. Plus, his FT% would be a liability. FIBA teams will foul a poor FT shooter even if they have the lead.
John Stockton- IMO Paul give you a huge defensive upgrade here.
Kevin Durant- Don't need his scoring which is his biggest asset. If he were to make it I would pull Reggie, but at this point in KD's career he doesn't have the skins on the wall that Reggie has.
Close Game Late with the lead
C- Kareem
PF- Bird
SF- Jordan
SG- Magic
PG CP3
Still gives me a team that can score and rebound pretty well. But most importantly, no liabilities at the line.
We need a bunch of 3's
C- Le Bron
PF- Bird
SF- Jordan
SG- Reggie
PG- CP3
Gives you a 3pt threat from every position, as well as everyone being able to create their own shot or a shot for others. You would clearly want to get the ball in the hands of Bird or Reggie.
Releasing The Doberman's
C-Hakeem
PF- Le Bron
SF- Rodman
SG- Pippen/Jordan
PG- Jordan/Pippen
Unequaled pressure. Speed at every position. Pip and MJ take turns hounding the opponents PG while Le Bron patrols the few passing lanes available.
Let's Grab Every Single Rebound
C- Kareem
PF- Barkley
SF- Rodman
SG- Le Bron
PG- Pippen
Every player gives you a dominant rebounder for their position.
Down 1 with 8 seconds Left, we have the ball
C- Duncan
PF- Barkley
SF- Bird
SG- Reggie
PG- Jordan
I'm putting Jordan at the point because there is no better shot maker/creator. MJ would penetrate the lane if the defense collapses he would have the option of Barkley or Duncan from about the 12ft range or Bird and Reggie on the wings. If the defense doesn't collapse, that's their *****.
OK....
Why do you hate Magic Johnson?
He should be on the three point lineup. His passing makes sure he will hit the right guy, and he can knock it down if needed...91 Finals he hits two threes in the last 1:30 to get the Lakers the only victory in the series. Oh and under no circumstances should the words LeBron and center be in the same sentence without can't play being in the middle. How about Magic, Reggie, Jordan, Bird, and Dream? Dream could hit the three (he even hit one in game 7 of the finals in 94), but he played far enough from the basket to get the longer rebounds.
Close game? Magic is a top ten, maybe top five clutch guy. Off the top of my head I can only think of MJ, Bird, West, and Reggie ahead of him, but his passing skills probably puts him ahead of Reggie.
Rebounding Lineup? I would go with Magic over Pippen. Magic averaged almost a full rebound a game over Pippen, and Pip was a SF.
Down 1 with 8 on the clock? Magic, MJ, Bird, Barkley, Kareem is the lineup. If MJ or Bird missed Barkley could get the rebound and put back the shot. If MJ and Bird are covered, Magic can dish to Cap and let his highly accurate and virtually unstoppable sky hook win the game. Magic not only is the best passer, but Magic has a keen basketball sense. He is big enough to throw a good pick to give Jordan or Bird space, and both of those guys can make the shot or pass to lead the team to victory.
Magic is one of the five greatest players EVER. How does he not make a key lineup.