The Olympics - USA Edition

Men's Olympic basketball should be as competitive as ever in Beijing. While I think Team USA is clearly the front runners (at 1:5 odds per Bodog), they are by no means a lock to win this thing. This team is far superior to the one fielded by the US in 2004 even though many of the players are familiar. LeBron, Melo, and Dywane Wade are all vastly improved and, on paper, this team should not even be challenged. Unfortunately for the 2004 Bronze Medalists, this tournament isn't being played on paper. If this tournament were set up like the NBA Playoffs, I think the US would run the table but it's a lot tougher in the one-and-done format of the Olympic medal round. Can team USA defend the pick-and-roll? Can they shoot from the outside? Can they goaltend every ball that touches the rim - as is allowed in international rules?

In future posts we will be looking at their main rivals - Spain (5:1) and Argentina (12:1) (and maybe even the Aussies [200:1] who gave Team USA a scare this morning despite not having Andrew Bogut) - but for now let's look at their current point guard controversy. Obviously Chris Paul is the best point guard on the team but he is not starting. In fact, Jason Kidd, the current starter, is arguably the weakest PG on the team. So why is he starting? Beats me... but I guess it has something to do with him being 40-0 in international play. But does that really matter? I don't think so. Hold on though, let me get in some actual analysis in place of the Chris Paul lovefest you've no doubt come to expect. Kidd can't shoot to break zones that are so often thrown at the US and the athleticism of his teammates should render his excellent rebounding ability all but unnecessary. (Put it this way, if Kidd needs to be in there to rebound, the US is in trouble.) I personally think that Paul and Deron Williams (a tall guard who can shoot the 3) should see most of the time but Dwyane Wade can also run the point. Wade, Kobe, LeBron, Melo, and Howard/Bosh? Should this team really lose? If Kidd sees anything close to major minutes it means that the US is rolling over everyone (unlikely) or the coaching staff is overcome by nostalgia. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Crossover of the Day - AI cutting Baron

Sick board by Jamario Moon

Timmy D drinking something untasty

Iverson messing with Dwight Howard

LeBron James... all class. It's ok though, rumor has it he went back and picked it up.... yeah right.