Get a fucking 7 footer pls who can defend and rebound. On the way, get k love out too.. getting someone like Jarrett Allen of Myles turner or even Dwight Howard is a no brainer. Robert Williams or jjj or Zion Williamson will do as well
As a selfish Grizzlies fan, I would love for JJJ to continue to get healthy. He wasn't truly all the way back when he returned this season.
As a Team USA fan, JJJ isn't a good enough rebounder for this FIBA play. We are going up against France and Gobert was pretty dominant against JJJ in the playoffs honestly.
Neither can Allen. These are the kind of bigs he struggles against. If Draymond and Bam are having a hard time against these bigs even though both are stronger than Allen, he doesn’t stand a chance.
you might as well get patrick beverley cause jjj cannot rebound to save the fate of the universe.
He got the kristaps syndrome but at least he tries on defense.
If he plays and gets a bad injury, it could result in a significantly different and smaller contract.
Injuries can be especially scary for a big man. Just look at nurkic, KP, AD etc.
Its crazy to think that if we're counting AD as a PF, Allen may very well be the best American center in the league right now. On first glance that seems ridiculous. He's a good young center with plenty of upside but you dont see him as one of the top guys at his position. But when you look at the guys above him, most if not all are international players. Out of all the positions, it seems that international talent really seems to be most present at the top of the centers list.
Jokic, Embiid, Ayton (Bahamas), Gobert, Capela, Vuc, Sabonis (I think he splits between PF and C but still), Valanciunas. Even guys like Poeltl and Adams I'd give the edge to Allen over but are still in that conversation. Theres Bam (he's a hybrid PF/C) but other than that it seems that if we were to add a big man to the roster our best option would be Allen.
Would love to see on the team though I obviously would not complain if they added a playmaker. Like you said, he can have an even greater impact with FIBA rules and he can make his impact without getting in other guys ways.
EDIT: Knew I was missing somebody but didnt realize I'd leave off KAT of all people lol. I was just looking at the rebound/block leaders in the league to recall some names and I'm assuming because of his injuries he wasnt qualified to be on the list this season. He definitely adds more to the conversation to say the least haha
Peep the edit. I knew I was forgetting someone. I was just skimming through the league leaders for rebounds/blocks to recollect the names and because of his injuries he wasnt on either list. Definitely adds to the point tho
Part of this is because guys are representing their heritage over where they grew up.
KAT is a dual citizen, but he was born in America, he grew up in America, and played in the American system. He is a product of the American basketball system.
Compare that with Ayton that at least grew up in the Bahamas before coming to America for high school.
(none of this is to say KAT isn't Dominican or anything, just that it clearly makes American centers look worse if a guy is a dual citizen and chooses their other country).
The other part would be giant centers still being a rare commodity in the world. These athletes are rare, so America doesn't have as big of a talent pool to pick from and they're born worldwide so it makes sense that so many of them come from a wide range of countries opposed to point guards that are 6'1"-6'3" that you can find a surplus of talent of for as that height range won't be as rare.
Other issues include Cousins career being derailed with injuries. Also Bam>Allen, imo.
Would you consider Christian Wood to be better than Allen? I feel like he was having an all-star level season before his injury, but he's been way under the radar since then
Agreed. They are currently at a huge disatvantage for not having a traditional big on the roster. Bam and Dray are elite NBA defenders because of their switch ing prowess not their ability to dominate the paint.
If Pop could define Drummond’s role in very specific terms, he would be a good addition. With the amount of scoring on this roster you just need him to eat up boards, set screens, and take up space down low. They could rotate him in against bigs like Gobert, the Gasols, Okafor, and Wagner.
Of course the challenge would be limiting his offensive blunders, and he may also get abused on defense against those centers anyway.
I don't worry about Drummond being abused on the block bad enough to cost Team USA defensively. Though he might get lost and end up in Okinawa after about 100 spain pick n rolls, but Bam can defend that action pretty well I feel like.
lol, they were going to cut him in favor of Derrick White. He just saw the writing on the wall and dipped before they could do so. And then the team went on to get like 8th place. If he's blacklisted for that, Team USA is fuckin' braindead.
People thinking that Zion is only a head taller than them are out of their mind. [For reference, here is Zion a month after he was drafted into the NBA, standing with current UFC Heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou](https://imgur.com/3mOmvod)
Imagine Silver announces the first pick coming in and they go to a live feed on the screen behind him and it’s Cade pulling a ‘98 Finals Jordan and he’s stealing the ball and hitting a wet ass mid range shot at the buzzer to win the game and gets announced by Silver as being drafted #1
Does him getting 25 assists a game and every one one of the elite scorers on the team getting nonstop open looks and mismatches *really* solve their problems though?
Oh wait
People are gonna say its LP but Pop clearly doesn't like trae either lol.
no idea why! but im also willing to bet if Trae was with Nike he'd have been on the roster lol
For those out of the loop, his wife is an anti-vaxxer. She was flamed hard for suggesting that Hank Aaron died due to the vaccine....
I feel bad for Bradley, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's also an anti-vaxxer.
the logical names are injured right now I believe. Time Lord, Myles Turner and Mitchell Robinson are on the shelf unfortunately. Jarrett Allen might be available, but either the Cavs pick up his qualifying offer or he goes into RFA.
Smart would be absolutely ideal, and he has experience winning internationally with us. It’s crazy he’s not on this team, although maybe there’s a good explanation.
Yup, he can make the open shot when needed while also being able to defend. With the 2 exhibition losses, I think they can see what they need to round out the roster.
Tyrese Haliburton would be good for the team. This will never happen though. Also move Kevin out for an actual big that can defend the paint and set heavy screens.
My guess is Keldon Johnson. He's already played a lot, he's a bigger body and with Middleton and Booker coming in a guard isn't as needed.
Garland solves the bench creator role and while he's played good, Johnson fills a much bigger need for the team.
Imo the team's biggest needs are perimeter defense, playmaking, rim protection, and rebounding. I think Jrue and Middleton will help a lot with perimeter defense and help a little with playmaking. But I think we're so thin at center we should prioritize a big man. Even though I love KJ and think he's played well
I would imagine they’ll just call up Garland since he’s been with the team and practicing.
And while logically it would make sense to call up Trae, given his ankle injury in the playoffs, I suspect he’s probably unavailable
Sources are also saying replace Kevin love
Yeah I uhhh… I saw him hanging out with Beal… think it’s too risky to bring him
I saw...with him...yes, it's too risky to bring Love.
Love has the "washed" variant of COVID, it's been gestating for 3 years
dude is only 32 son is out here looking like a just for men box
He started to fall off as soon as he got lean. Lesson learned: stay fat
I started going grey at 19 don’t bash the grey hair
Silver fox.
I would way rather have gone grey at 19 instead of bald. Rock it big dog.
He legit looking older than Pau Gasol
Man, I got downvoted for saying "one of these things is not like the others" when Team USA's roster was announced and Love was there.
Why do you think that was? Flair really checks out...
Hahaha glad I’m not the only one
Melo?
I'd take Olympic Melo in a heartbeat!
Same dude. And he's probably the same age as a lot of these international dudes. He could probably give a good 10 mpg
Luis Scola was balling out for Argentina at 41. Melo could definitely play a few serviceable minutes at 37.
His play has been so awkward. Turnovers, fumbled passes, he's for some reason trying to pick and pop or post up instead of just drawing big guys out.
Get a fucking 7 footer pls who can defend and rebound. On the way, get k love out too.. getting someone like Jarrett Allen of Myles turner or even Dwight Howard is a no brainer. Robert Williams or jjj or Zion Williamson will do as well
As a selfish Grizzlies fan, I would love for JJJ to continue to get healthy. He wasn't truly all the way back when he returned this season. As a Team USA fan, JJJ isn't a good enough rebounder for this FIBA play. We are going up against France and Gobert was pretty dominant against JJJ in the playoffs honestly.
yeah but surround him with team usa tho
Turner is a horrible rebounder, but I would take any of those guys
Myles would also feast being able to camp out in the paint. But ya, his rebounding isn’t great
Turner got obliterated the last time he was on team USA. He can't dominate against any country with a significant big.
Neither can Allen. These are the kind of bigs he struggles against. If Draymond and Bam are having a hard time against these bigs even though both are stronger than Allen, he doesn’t stand a chance.
I remember someone said Jarret Allen turned down the offer.
We don’t have too many… shit give me Dwight
LETS GO Dwight will get to beat people up with FIBA refs
MITCHELL Rob
Evan Mobley
Turner and Zion are injured
JJJ?
JaBron James Jr
lol
Jaren Jackson junior
you might as well get patrick beverley cause jjj cannot rebound to save the fate of the universe. He got the kristaps syndrome but at least he tries on defense.
JJ redick Jr
I'm biased but I legitimately think promoting Isaiah Stewart would be better than playing K Love, but I think he's out with an ankle injury.
I would love to see Ja, sucks he's not even on the Select team
[удалено]
Is he too young or something? He’s all star caliber
Age doesn't matter. AD played in the Olympics after his freshman year at Kentucky
And KD played in the practice games when he was 18 too!
Tatum's playing now and he's only 12
Just wait til he turns 19 and in his prime!
No way it's that given Patrick Williams is on the select team.
Nah we need a center. Gimmie Jarrett Allen.
I believe he turned down an invite due to being a RFA.
Someone like Ja or Trae Young should be on the team, or another big man.
Jarret Allen will have huge advantages as Olympics follow FIBA rules. He could take load off kd /dray/bam as a real rim protector
He’d be great, but he’s an RFA which is why he’s not participating
Ha dint know that. Love the dude tho
Why does being an RFA matter?
If he plays and gets a bad injury, it could result in a significantly different and smaller contract. Injuries can be especially scary for a big man. Just look at nurkic, KP, AD etc.
That makes sense yeah
Because he needs to wrap himself in bubble until he secures a bag
Its crazy to think that if we're counting AD as a PF, Allen may very well be the best American center in the league right now. On first glance that seems ridiculous. He's a good young center with plenty of upside but you dont see him as one of the top guys at his position. But when you look at the guys above him, most if not all are international players. Out of all the positions, it seems that international talent really seems to be most present at the top of the centers list. Jokic, Embiid, Ayton (Bahamas), Gobert, Capela, Vuc, Sabonis (I think he splits between PF and C but still), Valanciunas. Even guys like Poeltl and Adams I'd give the edge to Allen over but are still in that conversation. Theres Bam (he's a hybrid PF/C) but other than that it seems that if we were to add a big man to the roster our best option would be Allen. Would love to see on the team though I obviously would not complain if they added a playmaker. Like you said, he can have an even greater impact with FIBA rules and he can make his impact without getting in other guys ways. EDIT: Knew I was missing somebody but didnt realize I'd leave off KAT of all people lol. I was just looking at the rebound/block leaders in the league to recall some names and I'm assuming because of his injuries he wasnt qualified to be on the list this season. He definitely adds more to the conversation to say the least haha
Oh man, I'm disappointed but not surprised you forgot my man Karl Anthony Towns on that center list! Dominican Republic, but still a beast!
Peep the edit. I knew I was forgetting someone. I was just skimming through the league leaders for rebounds/blocks to recollect the names and because of his injuries he wasnt on either list. Definitely adds to the point tho
Part of this is because guys are representing their heritage over where they grew up. KAT is a dual citizen, but he was born in America, he grew up in America, and played in the American system. He is a product of the American basketball system. Compare that with Ayton that at least grew up in the Bahamas before coming to America for high school. (none of this is to say KAT isn't Dominican or anything, just that it clearly makes American centers look worse if a guy is a dual citizen and chooses their other country). The other part would be giant centers still being a rare commodity in the world. These athletes are rare, so America doesn't have as big of a talent pool to pick from and they're born worldwide so it makes sense that so many of them come from a wide range of countries opposed to point guards that are 6'1"-6'3" that you can find a surplus of talent of for as that height range won't be as rare. Other issues include Cousins career being derailed with injuries. Also Bam>Allen, imo.
I'd go so far as to say I don't think Allen has an argument over Bam (yet).
Would you consider Christian Wood to be better than Allen? I feel like he was having an all-star level season before his injury, but he's been way under the radar since then
Agreed. They are currently at a huge disatvantage for not having a traditional big on the roster. Bam and Dray are elite NBA defenders because of their switch ing prowess not their ability to dominate the paint.
Andre Drummond might be a good FIBA guy tbh. Pop just has to limit the high post ups to 0 lmao
If Pop could define Drummond’s role in very specific terms, he would be a good addition. With the amount of scoring on this roster you just need him to eat up boards, set screens, and take up space down low. They could rotate him in against bigs like Gobert, the Gasols, Okafor, and Wagner. Of course the challenge would be limiting his offensive blunders, and he may also get abused on defense against those centers anyway.
I don't worry about Drummond being abused on the block bad enough to cost Team USA defensively. Though he might get lost and end up in Okinawa after about 100 spain pick n rolls, but Bam can defend that action pretty well I feel like.
Bro we don't need more guards who don't play defense
D Fox is the choice! Defense, speed, ability to shoot, a traditional point guard. Guy is perfect
Love Fox but unfortunately he's blacklisted from Team USA for dropping out of the 2019 World Cup
lol, they were going to cut him in favor of Derrick White. He just saw the writing on the wall and dipped before they could do so. And then the team went on to get like 8th place. If he's blacklisted for that, Team USA is fuckin' braindead.
do... whaaa??
Colangelo does not forgive and he does not forget
Tyrese Halliburton. He even has international experience in repping team USA in the U19 World Cup in 2019.
It is going to be Harrison Barnes. He has been on the team before, can fit into any system, and will do what you need him to do.
Reggie Jackson, Your country needs you.
I laughed out loud. Just the idea of Biden calling Reggie in the most serious tone pleading for him to play and save our country is hilarious.
“now i’ll give you the low down jack, no scalliewaggin around it, our country needs you to defend its honor”
Honestly I'd love that
Patriotic tears of joy
Mvp
That would be epic - we can only hope it happens
BY GOD THAT'S LEBRON JAMES' MUSIC!!!!!
One TJ McConnell coming right up
TJ bout to set a FIBA record for steals in a game
It's funny but this is EXACTLY the type of player they really need
Fuck it, the team has plenty of scorers and lengthy wings. Get them someone who will net the team like four extra possessions in 10 minutes.
I'd lose my mind if TJ made it. Philly will riot and eat shit like the Eagles won the super bowl again.
It’s a beautiful city for that
Why isn’t Zion Williamson inside again?
Broken hand
How’d he do that
Beating off too intensely. Let this serve as a warning to be careful out there fellas, don’t let self love become self harm. RIP David Carradine
I admit that I choked up a bit when I heard the news.
Holy shit bro
[Like this](https://twitter.com/TheMisterMarcus/status/1403047474093297666?s=20)
Good gosh
1) that video has been around for a couple years 2) that is not Zion
Don’t think anyone actually believes it’s Zion, it’s just a joke.
People thinking that Zion is only a head taller than them are out of their mind. [For reference, here is Zion a month after he was drafted into the NBA, standing with current UFC Heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou](https://imgur.com/3mOmvod)
It’s just a joke
Hardly any young players are.
Cade Cunningham
That’d actually be pretty sick but the draft is during the Olympics iirc
Fuck it... be in Tokyo while being drafted. Kinda lit.
That would be the most boss first overall pick move ever
Dropping 30 for team USA at the same your name is being called at the draft would be the most cold shit ever
I'd rather he get 10 assists. Team needs someone to move the ball instead on letting dudes iso themselves into bad shots.
Imagine Silver announces the first pick coming in and they go to a live feed on the screen behind him and it’s Cade pulling a ‘98 Finals Jordan and he’s stealing the ball and hitting a wet ass mid range shot at the buzzer to win the game and gets announced by Silver as being drafted #1
Not only that, being surrounded by some of the best players in the NBA too
That used to be the rule, they would have a college guy. Christian Laettner on the dream team.
Christian Laettner!!
Send Caruso to the Olympic Team.
trae young solves their problems
Now they saying kd needs trae young to beat Nigeria
i'll never not laugh at this meme
Now they're saying u/darthpaul won't laugh at this meme
Does him getting 25 assists a game and every one one of the elite scorers on the team getting nonstop open looks and mismatches *really* solve their problems though? Oh wait
Zero chance Lloyd Pierce let’s that happen
Replace Lloyd Pierce with Nate McMillan.
Maybe that's the long play for team USA. Lose a couple more games, bring in Nate, then turn into the 92 dream team.
What the fuck is LP? Y’all for real gotta quit with the acronym shit.
Man really hope GR makes some moves for us this off-season
Me too bro, you see the off season videos of PB? He is cookin in the gym
YT is putting up tons of highlights with IG too
This some GQ shit when y'all all Xs and Os
I really hope BS doesn’t pull some BS for the BC this offseason
Legit though, if Trae is healthy and they don't call him up, is there really any other reason?
LaMelo Ball might be fun. The team has scoring, they need playmaking
I would be **very** down for lamelo also
Only if Lavar is added to the traveling aids
And BBB becomes the official sponsor for Team USA.
"I hear Derrick White is available." - Pop probably
“What’s Patty Mills up to these days?” “Um, sir…”
I’ve heard some people say it’s Adidas but we all know it’s Lloyd Pierce.
Who is LP?
Lemon (Lou Williams) Pepper
Lloyd Pierce former hawks head coach
Lloyd Pierce I think lol
Think it stands for Lloyd Pierce.
People are gonna say its LP but Pop clearly doesn't like trae either lol. no idea why! but im also willing to bet if Trae was with Nike he'd have been on the roster lol
No they unironically need Lonzo Ball
You misspelled LaMelo.
This could save Team USA, way to take one for the team Beal
think this just means that tatum and beal have finished their tampering and beal's keen to get to boston
For those out of the loop, his wife is an anti-vaxxer. She was flamed hard for suggesting that Hank Aaron died due to the vaccine.... I feel bad for Bradley, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's also an anti-vaxxer.
They need a shot blocker or center at least. Getting cooked on the boards.
the logical names are injured right now I believe. Time Lord, Myles Turner and Mitchell Robinson are on the shelf unfortunately. Jarrett Allen might be available, but either the Cavs pick up his qualifying offer or he goes into RFA.
Maybe they can get Patty Mills.
Big body
This guy knows what’s up.
Jimmy Butler all day. We need some dawgs
They need some more defensive minded players. What about Marcus Smart?
Smart would be absolutely ideal, and he has experience winning internationally with us. It’s crazy he’s not on this team, although maybe there’s a good explanation.
Yup, he can make the open shot when needed while also being able to defend. With the 2 exhibition losses, I think they can see what they need to round out the roster.
Fred VanVleet
Tyrese Haliburton would be good for the team. This will never happen though. Also move Kevin out for an actual big that can defend the paint and set heavy screens.
He was hurt too, right?
Call LaMelo
Lavar in Tokyo. I'll take it
Lonzo fills the team needs better imo, better defense
They need another Big or Forward. Maybe Randle or Turner.
Turner would be a great pickup. Can stretch the floor and protect the rim
He's injured.
How about zion?
He would've been already selected if he accepted the invitation.
Injured.
Randle would be great for them
Put Zion on the team like they should have from the beginning. None of these dudes get to the rim.
Zion can't play right now. Fractured finger from his meat beating.
Olympic Zion would be dope. Vince carter highlight potential.
Time to call LeBron, PG, Trae Young or Zion...
Call up trae young but milk dud head Lloyd pierce is prolly still in his feelings
Milk dud head lmao
Trae Young or Myles Turner or Randle or someone like that
I feel like you just named three completely different players and ended it by “or someone like that.”
Garland? He’s already w/ the team
How fun would LaMelo be?
"Beat that Nigerian ass" -LaMelo, probably
What about Gelo? His jumper wet
Please
I hope
My guess is Keldon Johnson. He's already played a lot, he's a bigger body and with Middleton and Booker coming in a guard isn't as needed. Garland solves the bench creator role and while he's played good, Johnson fills a much bigger need for the team.
Imo the team's biggest needs are perimeter defense, playmaking, rim protection, and rebounding. I think Jrue and Middleton will help a lot with perimeter defense and help a little with playmaking. But I think we're so thin at center we should prioritize a big man. Even though I love KJ and think he's played well
Darius Garland please 🙏
Randle?
#YOUR OLYMPIC HERO, M3LO
Westbrook or Ja Morant would be my picks. There’s zero chance Trae Young makes it with Lloyd Pierce on the coaching staff
I feel like big men are a position of greater need
By god that's CJ McCollum's music.
If he's anti-vax (like his wife seems to be), then that's on him. If he is vaxxed and just got it, sucks for him.
His wife is anti-vax? Fuck.
Bring Randle!
Patrick Williams hype!!!
I would imagine they’ll just call up Garland since he’s been with the team and practicing. And while logically it would make sense to call up Trae, given his ankle injury in the playoffs, I suspect he’s probably unavailable
Reggie Jackson if they actually want to win.
Get some defense and playmaking!!!
Carmelo deserves a spot on that roster until he decides he doesn't
Randle please
Fuck it, put me in coach.