Team USA: Looking AheadBy:

By Michael DeStefano

The Redeem Team brought the gold medal back where it belongs,
but true redemption for US Basketball isn’t winning one gold medal; it’s returning
to the Olympic Dynasty that we once were. The bad news is that anything less
than gold in the World Championships two years from now is a failure, and Team
USA is right back to where it was in 2002: searching for answers. The good news
is that there is enough young talent in the NBA right now to field a team comparable
(if not better) than the Redeem Team.

Let’s start with the holdovers. Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams
have all expressed interest in returning and are great starting points to build
around. In 2010, Paul and Williams will likely be the two best point guards on the planet and should have no problem handling themselves without the tutelage of
Jason Kidd. Dwight Howard is already one of the top centers in the game and
will only get better as he refines his offensive skill set. As good as these
three were this past summer, they will be infinitely better with two more years
experience under their belts.

It would be unbelievable if LeBron, Dwyane, and Bosh could be added to this
list of holdovers, but is it realistic? They’ve been with the team since 2004
and will all be free agents in the summer of 2010, so their presence in Turkey
is highly unlikely. The same goes for Kobe Bryant, who, at 32, might be unwilling
to dedicate an entire summer to USA Basketball. The absence of those four leave
glaring holes in this roster that need to be filled. Luckily, we have the talent
to do it.

Prediction: Kevin Durant will be a superstar by the time
the summer of 2010 rolls around. With his length, range, and handle (and three
years experience playing against pros), he will be an impossible matchup for
any international player. Like LeBron in 2008, Durant’s versatility will enable
him to be the do-it-all guy for Team USA.

Brandon Roy will be going into his fifth season in the League and, at 26, might
be one of the leaders of this team. Already one of the best young all-around
players in the NBA, his size and efficiency in the backcourt will make it seem
like Wade never left.

Finally, Chris Bosh made a living off of putbacks and easy
dunks off penetration from the American guards. Greg Oden will be more than
capable of that in 2010. Bigger and more athletic than Bosh, Oden will also
provide Team USA with more defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking than his predecessor.

The additions of those three
players to Team USA seem inevitable, but after that, how will the USA
decision-makers round out the roster? Here are the players that
they’ll be considering:

Post Players

Team USA was weakest up front, with only two natural post
players getting any minutes. Fortunately, LeBron can play any position, and
Howard and Bosh were able to avoid foul trouble and stay on the floor. Adding
depth down low for 2010 would be a smart move.

Amare Stoudemire: If he can be talked into playing for this team his
nastiness and toughness would be a valued asset. Stoudamire’s nearly impossible
to guard one-on-one ability to knock down mid-range jumpers makes him that much
more effective in International ball than Howard.
.
Michael Beasley: The committee might be hesitant to consider B-Easy because
of perceived character issues, but once he puts those concerns to rest, his
versatility and post game will be too much to ignore.


Tyson Chandler: Brings much of the same things
that Howard and Oden will. Nevertheless, American fans won’t mind seeing Chandler
catch lobs from CP3 on the international stage.

Andrew Bynum: Bynum is a traditional center, bigger than Aldridge and
more refined than Oden and Howard. He’s on his way to being one of the best
centers in the game, but 2012 seems more realistic than 2010. Team USA will
wait to see if he can stay healthy.

LaMarcus Aldridge:
In Oden’s absence, Aldridge showed that he is capable of being a number
one option in the paint. He played with the Select Team this past
summer, and, but 2010, will have developed a chemistry with Oden in
Portland that could be valuable for the US in Turkey.

Back Court

With Paul and Williams the
veterans of the team, they will need a young protégé or two to mentor
just as Jason Kidd did for them.

Derrick Rose: A no-brainer, he combines the speed and unselfishness
of Paul with the strength and explosiveness of Williams. He is
the total package, the prototypical point guard of the future.

Rodney Stuckey: Though more of a combo guard, Stuckey can run
a team like a true point. He showed great poise and determination in the playoffs
for Detroit and will only get better. The height and strength to match up with
bigger European guards is also a plus.

OJ Mayo: Could be a superstar by 2010 due to his ability to flat-out
score. But, on a team surrounded by older, more experienced players, he’ll have
the opportunity to show off his skills as a playmaker as well.

These three have all played with the Select Team and are familiar with the US
system. Furthermore, they’ve gotten to know the other Select and Senior players,
so any combination of these three will fit in seamlessly in 2010.

Wings

This is where Team USA sets itself apart from the rest of the world, with versatile
wings that can do anything and everything on a basketball court.

Rudy Gay: Gay broke out last year, averaging over
20 points per game. He’s athletic with improving range on his jump shot and
will be more than ready to back up Durant on this team in two years.

Kevin Martin: My early favorite for “3-Point Specialist/ Cheerleader,”
he has a chance to get more time than Michael Redd thanks to his athleticism
and willingness to play defense.

Josh Smith: Questions about his attitude and jump
shot could keep him from consideration, but he’s gotten better every year and
will be an asset at both ends of the floor with his world-class athleticism.


Jeff Green: His playmaking skills and unselfishness
at the four get him consideration. He plays like a European and could make a
serious push for London in four years if he continues to show promise with the
Select Team as well as in Oklahoma City.

2010 Projected Depth Chart

PG: Chris Paul/ Deron Williams/ Derrick Rose
SG: Brandon Roy/ Rodney Stuckey/ OJ Mayo
SF: Kevin Durant/ Rudy Gay
PF: Amare Stoudemire/ Michael Beasley
C: Dwight Howard/ Greg Oden

*Look for Bynum, Stuckey, and
someone like Jerryd Bayless or Russell Westbrook to replace Howard,
Paul, and Williams should they decide to change their minds after the
before 2012.

Coach:

Jim Boeheim – Coach K has said repeatedly that
his experience as an assistant in ’92 was extremely important to his
success as head coach in 2008. Boeheim was Coach K’s assistant
this summer, so it makes sense. A college coach, preaching the
team over the individual, is the best fit for this team. We saw
how successful Coach K was in motivating this group of superstars and
getting them to play unselfish basketball. Boeheim should have
no problem duplicating that success after witnessing it firsthand.

Nate McMillan
or Mike D’Antoni would be solid choices as well.

Planning for 2010 needs to
begin now if the United States is to maintain its place of prominence
in international basketball. 2008 was a great start, but there
is still a lot of work to be done, a lot of decisions to be made.
Thankfully, the abundance of young talent in the NBA will make this
process that much easier.