Post by bloop on Aug 8, 2014 20:21:00 GMT
With the NBA picking players for the World Cup, I thought it'd be cool to figure which 12 players would make the cut for our own international team. The players I picked were all under 30 years old and from the states.
Big Men
Anthony Davis
AD's ceiling seems to be pushed up a few inches every season. Every TC he seems to improve and it translates into higher production. His versatility is what is probably his biggest asset and what makes him such an important player against international competition. He can play down low or step out and hit an elbow jumper. AD would without a doubt be a starter and one of the main options for this team.
DeMarcus Cousins
Before this season, I doubt I would have even thought of picking DMC for this team. It seems like at age 27 he's finally put it all together. No one would have predicted him winning a POTM before this season began. He's a load down low and easily the best post scorer on this team. I don't know if he would start every game, but he'd be a valuable reserve that could definitely crack the starting lineup if the match ups permitted it.
Kevin Love
Love is the ideal stretch 4. His versatility on offense will allow this team to play small ball with ease. He is also the best rebounder on this team. Love may not be the best defender, but his offensive game is just too much to overlook.
Andre Drummond
After leading the Grizz to their first title, it’s clear Drummond is a premier player. His inability to score outside of the key is troublesome, but he makes up for it in other areas. His defense, rebounding, and inside game are unparalleled and will help whenever our bigs get into foul trouble. His FT % is worrisome, but something that can be overlooked.
Wings
Paul George
A top notch two way player who has improved every year he has been in the league. PG can lock down an opposing team’s top perimeter player while also scoring 20+ on his own and filling the stat sheet. A definite starter on this team who would be heavily featured on the offensive end.
Harrison Barnes
A very similar type of player to Paul George. Barnes is a budding superstar who is extremely efficient and plays a physical style of ball. He has an impressive post game for a wing and will be a valuable reserve.
Andrew Wiggins
A superstar in the making. Wiggins is arguably already the best SG in the league and he’s still in his rookie contract. A scary two way threat. He is without a doubt the starter at SG. As of now he will be asked to focus more on the defensive end, but in the near future he will be the face of this team.
Deandre Kane
A surprise player in the league who has become the embodiment of efficiency. He can play the 2 or 3 and guard either position with ease. Kane will be a valuable reserve who will allow little to 0 drop off when he replaces PG or Wiggins.
Bradley Beal
A player who has come into his own since joining the Wizards, Beal is an offensive maestro. His shooting stroke is a beauty and his build allows him to score inside as well. He will be a valuable asset to this team primarily because of his stroke, though. He may not start due to his less than stellar defense, but when the team plays against a zone he will be called upon.
Point Guards
Russell Westbrook
The best defensive point guard in the league, Westbrook helps give this team an identity. His passion and tenacity on defense sets the tone for the whole team. His offensive game is above average as well. He
Derrick Rose
The best point guard in the league. He is an animal on the offensive and defensive end. He is the unquestioned starter at PG. It will be awesome to see how he can command a team with this kind of talent. If anyone can do it, though, it’s him.
Stephen Curry
The best shooter in the league. Curry is needed for the international style of play because of his shot and handles. He can play off the ball as well making him indispensable. There will be times when the team will start him at the 2 in order to have two ball handlers on the court and to take advantage of his shot.
Kyrie Irving
The best offensive point guard in the league. Watching an Irving layup is a thing of beauty and his shot is not far behind in terms of awe. He will be used often on this team because of his quickness and ability to provide a scoring punch.
It’s interesting how similar this team is to the one in real life. Barnes and Kane are probably the two big exceptions (though Barnes is on the Select team). Kane is a stud in this league already and Barnes actually hit his potential unlike in real life. Two way ability is the key here. It's what left players like Harden off the list.
If I had to make a DC it'd be like this:
PG Rose/Westbrook/Kyrie
SG Wiggins/Barnes/Kane
SF George/Kane/Barnes
PF Love/Cousins/Love
C Davis/Cousins/Davis
Options
1. Rose
2. Wiggins
3. Davis
Very Fast
Often
Often
Balanced
Big Men
Anthony Davis
AD's ceiling seems to be pushed up a few inches every season. Every TC he seems to improve and it translates into higher production. His versatility is what is probably his biggest asset and what makes him such an important player against international competition. He can play down low or step out and hit an elbow jumper. AD would without a doubt be a starter and one of the main options for this team.
DeMarcus Cousins
Before this season, I doubt I would have even thought of picking DMC for this team. It seems like at age 27 he's finally put it all together. No one would have predicted him winning a POTM before this season began. He's a load down low and easily the best post scorer on this team. I don't know if he would start every game, but he'd be a valuable reserve that could definitely crack the starting lineup if the match ups permitted it.
Kevin Love
Love is the ideal stretch 4. His versatility on offense will allow this team to play small ball with ease. He is also the best rebounder on this team. Love may not be the best defender, but his offensive game is just too much to overlook.
Andre Drummond
After leading the Grizz to their first title, it’s clear Drummond is a premier player. His inability to score outside of the key is troublesome, but he makes up for it in other areas. His defense, rebounding, and inside game are unparalleled and will help whenever our bigs get into foul trouble. His FT % is worrisome, but something that can be overlooked.
Wings
Paul George
A top notch two way player who has improved every year he has been in the league. PG can lock down an opposing team’s top perimeter player while also scoring 20+ on his own and filling the stat sheet. A definite starter on this team who would be heavily featured on the offensive end.
Harrison Barnes
A very similar type of player to Paul George. Barnes is a budding superstar who is extremely efficient and plays a physical style of ball. He has an impressive post game for a wing and will be a valuable reserve.
Andrew Wiggins
A superstar in the making. Wiggins is arguably already the best SG in the league and he’s still in his rookie contract. A scary two way threat. He is without a doubt the starter at SG. As of now he will be asked to focus more on the defensive end, but in the near future he will be the face of this team.
Deandre Kane
A surprise player in the league who has become the embodiment of efficiency. He can play the 2 or 3 and guard either position with ease. Kane will be a valuable reserve who will allow little to 0 drop off when he replaces PG or Wiggins.
Bradley Beal
A player who has come into his own since joining the Wizards, Beal is an offensive maestro. His shooting stroke is a beauty and his build allows him to score inside as well. He will be a valuable asset to this team primarily because of his stroke, though. He may not start due to his less than stellar defense, but when the team plays against a zone he will be called upon.
Point Guards
Russell Westbrook
The best defensive point guard in the league, Westbrook helps give this team an identity. His passion and tenacity on defense sets the tone for the whole team. His offensive game is above average as well. He
Derrick Rose
The best point guard in the league. He is an animal on the offensive and defensive end. He is the unquestioned starter at PG. It will be awesome to see how he can command a team with this kind of talent. If anyone can do it, though, it’s him.
Stephen Curry
The best shooter in the league. Curry is needed for the international style of play because of his shot and handles. He can play off the ball as well making him indispensable. There will be times when the team will start him at the 2 in order to have two ball handlers on the court and to take advantage of his shot.
Kyrie Irving
The best offensive point guard in the league. Watching an Irving layup is a thing of beauty and his shot is not far behind in terms of awe. He will be used often on this team because of his quickness and ability to provide a scoring punch.
It’s interesting how similar this team is to the one in real life. Barnes and Kane are probably the two big exceptions (though Barnes is on the Select team). Kane is a stud in this league already and Barnes actually hit his potential unlike in real life. Two way ability is the key here. It's what left players like Harden off the list.
If I had to make a DC it'd be like this:
PG Rose/Westbrook/Kyrie
SG Wiggins/Barnes/Kane
SF George/Kane/Barnes
PF Love/Cousins/Love
C Davis/Cousins/Davis
Options
1. Rose
2. Wiggins
3. Davis
Very Fast
Often
Often
Balanced
