The NBA Champs Should be the U.S. Olympic Team

[stanthompsonismyhero]

There's no doubt in my mind that the '07-'08 Celtics could win the Olympic gold medal this summer.  This is the roster we should be sending to China:

Ray Allen
Tony Allen
P.J. Brown
Sam Cassell
Glen Davis
Kevin Garnett
Eddie House
Kendrick Perkins
Paul Pierce
James Posey
Leon Powe
Rajon Rondo

Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of these guys were on the final roster for the U.S. Olympic team.  True, it would be a relatively small lineup, but so is the team we've actually assembled.  Does anyone think the group of allstars that was thrown together relatively last-minute will win the gold?  This Olympics will probably go like the previous one did: the U.S. will dominate the early rounds, then lose to countries that actually play team basketball.  If the Celtics, still overflowing with confidence from winning the title, played for the U.S. in Beijing, we'd walk away with the gold. 

[kw10]

I agree with you. Mostly anyway...this Celtics team will win gold IMO, but not all Champions team will win gold at the Olympics or whatever tournament (e.g. '06 Heats). As pointed out by you, I think this Celtics team will win gold because they simply play team basketball, they play the game it's supposed to be played like-which IMO is the reason why countries like Spain and Argentina are winning, not because of superstars.
However there is also another problem with having the NBA Champions play as the US team, for champions like the Spurs, without Tony Parker and Manu just to name 2, I don't know if they have a good chance of winning. Also there are issues with players retiring from representing their countries (like KG, Tmac and others as they concentrate on the ultimate prize, which as delighted as I can say it again, KG's done it!)

[stanthompsonismyhero]

I only meant that the current NBA champs, the Celtics, should be the U.S. Olympic team.  Sorry for any confusion, because, as you pointed out, some teams, like the Spurs, have a lot of international players and couldn't be our Olympic team.  As far as I'm aware, all twelve Celtics players listed above are U.S. citizens. 

[Roy Hobbs]

It would be interesting to see how our defense held up against international rules.  Our team struggled when they weren't allowed to play physical, so I get the feeling that that may be an issue. 

Overall, I still get the feeling that our team is talented and cohesive enough to beat any country's national squad, but it's hard to say; there are some really good international teams out there that have a number of NBA players on them.

I will say I'm glad this isn't happening.  After playing 108 regular season and playoff games, this team needs a rest.

[ederson]

Why

It`s a national team tournament not basketball`s champions league.
Besides i`d say it`s better there is no green player in the NT. They `ll get the needed rest instead of playing bball all summer long.

[Petro]

It would be fun I'll tell u that! But will never happen unless they had some type of Championship tournament.But the NBA season is TOO long for that u would have to cut short the regular season by 10-15 games at least.Don't forget our guys play more games in a short period of time there would be nagging injuries contract issues as well the players assoc wouldnt allow it that easy but it would be great to see the Celts play a 7-game series with Spain or Argentina it would be great for basketball.

[wdleehi]

A rest Celtics would win the gold. 




I am happy not to see any Celtics going.   Let them rest to get ready for another deep playoff run while some of their competitors play all summer. 

[nickagneta]

The NBA should set up a one game "friendly" exhibition every four years where the Olympic Champion plays the NBA Champion for World Champion bragging rights.

Just a little marketing thought.

[Roy Hobbs]

The NBA should set up a one game "friendly" exhibition every four years where the Olympic Champion plays the NBA Champion for World Champion bragging rights.

Just a little marketing thought.

Very interesting thought.  What happens if there's overlap between the two rosters, though?  For example, let's say the Cavs won the title; does Lebron represent Cleveland while Team USA plays shorthanded?

[nickagneta]

The NBA should set up a one game "friendly" exhibition every four years where the Olympic Champion plays the NBA Champion for World Champion bragging rights.

Just a little marketing thought.

Very interesting thought.  What happens if there's overlap between the two rosters, though?  For example, let's say the Cavs won the title; does Lebron represent Cleveland while Team USA plays shorthanded?

If it is NBA sponsored the player has to play on his NBA team.

Or maybe he plays one half for one team and another for the other team. Scratch that, dumb idea.

Not sure how to handle that.

[celticmaestro]

The NBA should set up a one game "friendly" exhibition every four years where the Olympic Champion plays the NBA Champion for World Champion bragging rights.

Just a little marketing thought.

great thought. i think it's probably been considered before, but do you think it takes away from the all-star game? probably not, but i see no reason why this couldn't happen.

[SamuelAdams]

Soft tissue injuries need rest, rest and some more rest to get better.

Kobe is delaying his little finger surgery to play. 

[ma11l]

Interesting thought, it would probably benefit the United States team.  However it would be a huge detriment to the champions.  I think it would be near impossible to repeat if the team had to play more games than anyone else in the season and then play in the Olympics all summer long.

[cordobes]

The NBA should set up a one game "friendly" exhibition every four years where the Olympic Champion plays the NBA Champion for World Champion bragging rights.

Just a little marketing thought.

Very interesting thought.  What happens if there's overlap between the two rosters, though?  For example, let's say the Cavs won the title; does Lebron represent Cleveland while Team USA plays shorthanded?

If it is NBA sponsored the player has to play on his NBA team.

Or maybe he plays one half for one team and another for the other team. Scratch that, dumb idea.

Not sure how to handle that.

Also, club teams have a big advantage over national teams. It wouldn't be fair. Even an European club team could beat Team USA. And there is already a World Championship for national teams.

What they could do would be to recover the McDonald's Tourney or what its name was. The NBA World Champions facing the Euroleague winners and South-America/Australia continental champions. That would be more fun than these friendly pre-season games.

[paintitgreen]

I agree, cordobes, that would be a much better, and far more feasible, tournament. Make it like the Beanpot, rotating which teams play each other in the opening round. (i.e., NBA champ plays Euro winner one year, SA winner the next year, Aussie winner the third year). Of course, scheduling would still be nearly impossible since teams change rapidly after a season is complete (i.e., NBA free agents, overseas players changing teams or even leagues) but the idea, I think, is better.

As for having the team play, I do think they'd win. The international game, from what I've seen and heard, is actually a lot more physical, meaning our team would be great for it. I think it stems from the fact that they don't have the same handcheck rules. And the keys to winning in international basketball are team play (which we have in abundance) and good outside shooting (with Ray, Paul, Eddie and Poze, we'd have some strength there). But the lack of real big men might hurt us.

I, of course, wouldn't want us to go. We need time to heal and recover for a shot at a repeat. With their bumps and bruises from the Finals, I don't want Rondo, Perk and Pierce playing in a prolonged international tournament.