A Looong Early Look at the USA Dream Team 2007

Warning: if you didn't catch the drift from the title, please stop reading if you have no interest in the USA Dream Team, thanks. Now for those of you who try to catch as much of the drama around the Dream Team as possible, well hopefully this will give you some things to dwell upon before the days leading to the FIBA Americas Championship (August 22). Last year, several losses at the World Championships and Gilbert's antics were enough to keep me refreshing that ESPN website more than a sane person should be allowed to. This year, while things can't possibly top what we saw last year(or can it?), there are still ample of things to look forward to. Without further adieu, let's take a sneak peak at this years Dream Team and the things that will put either a smile or frown on your face.

The Contestants

Starting off, seven players from last year have been deemed 'unavailable': Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (Oklahoma Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat). The biggest loss here is no doubt Arenas. He spent a whole season getting revenge from the coaches that basicly cut him from last years squad. Would have been interesting to see how things played out. Wade is another person that will be missed as a "Kobe, Wade, LeBron, Carmelo" battle royal would have made good pay-per-view.

To replace these players, the following 8 have been added: Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics); Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Greg Oden (Portland TrailBlazers); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

When I look at these 8 players, first thing that comes to mind is "this would make a good group of Big Brother contestants". But lets look at each of these players and how they can impact the team.

For Durant and Oden, this will be like an internship - just go in there and learn as much as you can, but know that nobody gives a sh!t about you, just yet. Boozer is very similar to Brand, but he's shown how dominant he can be when left unchecked, definitely an asset. Chandler was thrown in there because USA lacks a true center besides Howard and is one of those players that can fit in well in a team full of superstars. Kidd is the mystery man, he could be everything the Dream Team has been missing, or everything that has brought them down. Mike Miller will be that player capable of doing everything the team needs, will play as hard as he can, and wont complain about minutes(((he will also fill out that white-player quota))). Tayshaun Prince is just a freak of nature, I cant and dont even want to try to envision him in anything other than a Pistons jersey.Deron Williams is a great addition, and even if its not this year, he will be running the Dream Team in years to come.

The players who were already on the roster are: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats) Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Luke Ridnour (Seattle SuperSonics); and Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).

Only 12 of these players can make the cut. While some of the recent injuries have helped to make the decision a bit easier, its still a daunting task.

Picking the Team

These players have no chance to be on the final roster, so we can go ahead and just take them out: Adam Morrison, JJ Redick, Greg Oden, Kevin Durant. Can we send them all back to college while we're at it? Damn.The starting 5 will probably look something like this: Chauncey Billups, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Amare Stoudamire, Dwight Howard. Thats a beast of a team! Carmelo will be hard to leave out of the starting 5, as he was the best player for the team in the 2006 World Championships, but Kobe and Carmello are both pure scorers so LeBron is a better fit. Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer off the bench is just great anyway you look at it - thats if they dont accidently kill each other in practice. Michael Redd should see some good minutes as he's easily the best shooter on the team. Bruce Bowen should edge out his eternal wannabe, Shane Battier, and make the cut this year if Coach K can put his Duke years behind him. Chris Bosh/Shawn Marion will battle out the 11th spot and I see Marion a must in there since there are plenty of low post scorers already and Marion has that unique skill of being productive without the ball. The last spot will go to a backup PG and the choice will be hard to make with the following options: Kirk Hinrich, Luke Ridnour, Jason Kidd, and Deron Williams. I think Deron Williams should get this spot as he's proved he can hit big shots, and can be surprisingly effective from the FIBA 3 point line area.

Of course, with the disappointing results of the past few years, the coaching staff could shock us all. They could decide its time to focus on shooting (something they have neglected the past couple of years) and go all out and have a starting 5 of Kirk Hinrich, JJ Redick,Adam Morrison, Mike Miller and Antawn Jamison. Well, maybe if Don Nelson was the coach. One thing is for sure, you wont see them cutting the likes of Kobe, LBJ, Melo for any reason whatsoever even if it does seem like the right decision.

How it will play out

Kobe the ..*gulp*.. leader

The inclusion of Kobe Bryant in this years team might seem like a major change for the team, but I am near confident that he will not be the same killer Kobe we are use to seeing. He will take this opportunity to pass the ball, show his unselfishness and try to be that inspirational leader. It will be entertaining to watch Kobe's awkward attempts at being that perfect veteran player on the team - since that clearly isnt what he is. Kobe might also ask for a trade to the Mexican team to feel closer to his wife Vanessa (sorry that was too easy).

Chauncey trying to do too much

Chauncey Billups will be much more of a factor if he can come out of the comma he has been in since the Cavs series. Of course, he can end up ruining the team by jacking up shots, and trying to be more than a point guard should ever be for team USA. Bring up the ball, make the right pass, and hit open shots. That should be the job description of a Dream Team PG.

Carmelo "Ballhog" Anthony

Reason why he has played really well for Team USA in the past is because he's got this inferiority complex. He's not up there with LeBronze, Mamba, Flash - and you can bet he's gona try again this year to prove the public wrong.

Redd Hot!

Nothing to add here

Howard and Amare battle it out for...

While the sound level meter has been a nice touch in the playoffs, I think its time to implement that idea in other parts of the game. One idea would be a 'rim impact meter'. Watching Amare and Dwight compete for the record would be a nice side-game in of itself.

End Result

The Dream Team hasn't really struggled in the past in the FIBA Americas Cup. Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico are the only teams that can legitimately trouble them. A year of chemistry and the addition of some solid players should seal the deal. Their preliminary round group consists of the following teams: Canada, Brazil, Virgin Islands, and Venezuela - nothing to really be worried about. However, Argentina and Brazil are as strong as ever so there will be some entertaining matches along the way.

I can't end this without asking - where is KG, Duncan, Shaq, or Ray Allen? How many more failures can the US team handle before everyone and anyone is held accountable? Oh well, why try and think so far ahead when we can just watch and enjoy the drama as it happens. If there is a basketball god out there, everything I've said will not happen, and then the real fun can start.