The fifteen finalists continuing on to represent Team USA in the World Championship have been chosen.
Your Fab Fifteen finalists include:Dwyane Wade: This season’s MVP and ESPY NBA Player of the Year, Dwyane Wade was a no-brainer for Team USA. Spectacular throughout the playoffs, Wade showed the ability to literally carry his team to victory. Hopefully, his success will continue in Japan as he did not have a particularly strong outing in the last Olympics.
Carmelo Anthony: One of the leaders in last-second shots, Carmelo Anthony returns for another shot at Olympic gold. Unlike the others, Carmelo is under the magnifying glass after voicing displeasure with his limited minutes in the last Olympics. When asked on what he could do to help the team succeed, Anthony merely scoffed and stated how he cannot help the team if he does not play.
Lebron James: The King has returned to the Olympics. After two mediocre seasons in Cleveland, Lebron finally made the playoffs and almost defeated the Detroit Pistons. Though he felt his playoff run was cut short, Lebron is looking to the future and that is of course, regaining that USA Basketball pride that was lacking last year. James is so talented that the public will not care that he said, “Without me, there’s no team.”
Dwight Howard: Dwight Howard disproves all the doubters who thought Emeka Okafor was the more sound and safe #1 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. The second highest rebounder after Garnett, Dwight Howard will continue on crashing the boards in Japan. The great part, albeit scary, is that he is only in his second year of pro basketball. Technically, he is still a rookie…a sixteen points, thirteen rebounds rookie.
Chris Paul: This season’s Rookie of the Year and ESPY Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Chris Paul had a stellar season, averaging fifteen points, five rebounds, and seven assists while almost leading his New Orleans Hornets to the postseason. He is still a rookie but definitely is not playing like one. Chris Paul is a perfect fit and will complement the more offensive guards in Carmelo and Lebron.
Kirk Hinrich: Not initially chosen to compete, Jerry Colangelo made a strong effort in wooing Kirk Hinrich to the team. There was nothing surprising when his name was called because of this incident. The Bulls’ point guard of the future, Hinrich complements the more offensive guards as his shot often runs cold and often resorts to running the offense.
Antawn Jamison: From Maverick sixth man to Wizard starter, Antawn Jamison is part of the new triple-threat trio alongside Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. However, he is the weakest of the three and could not compete with the all-around offensive and ballhandling abilities of Arenas or the slashing-down-the-lanes ferocious play of Butler. In addition, he is somewhat of a liability as his offense solely dictates how effective he will play. A shooting slump this season made him completely useless. Because he plays the forward and center positions, I do not expect him to be part of the final twelve, losing out to the likes Elton Brand and Dwight Howard.
Bruce Bowen: The hardnosed defender from the San Antonio Spurs who is known to be a thorn in many players’ sides. Because he is 35, the committee has been cautious in embracing Bowen with open arms. However, with the lack of defense in last year’s Olympics, they will need some guy to defend the other team’s best player. In my opinion, if Bowen qualifies for the first cut, Colangelo is already planning on keeping him for the final twelve.
Elton Brand: The hardworking Clipper big man who is finally getting the recognition he deserves, Elton Brand will probably start at power forward. Looks like Team USA has another solid twenty points, ten rebounds big man on the roster.
Joe Johnson: The versatile Hawks point guard, Joe Johnson proved this season why the Suns should have offered him more money. After a slow start, Johnson emerged by averaging twenty points and above average assists. Granted, any good player can have fantastic numbers in Atlanta cough* Antonie Walker cough*, but Johnson was also instrumental in giving the Hawks some amazing last-second shots to win games. The most important of which was the shot that defeated the Pistons. THE HAWKS BEAT THE PISTONS. Swallow that. Though he is more than ready to drop some dimes, he is much more adept at scoring and could be Team USA’s number one shooting guard.
Brad Miller: The once best free agent on the market, the Sacramento Kings center was probably chosen for his ability to pass as well as any guard. He can also score and rebound at will making Miller very difficult to defend and a threat on both ends of the court.
Gilbert Arenas: The most improved player turned all-star, Gilbert Arenas will bring his shooting and ballhandling skills to Japan. The team has a plethora of offensive guards, but he is the only one who possesses a consistent three-point shot. Lebron and Wade refrain from the shot, Carmelo is a much better jump shooter, Paul drives to the basket, and Hinrich is often cold from the field.
Chris Bosh: The new face of the Toronto Raptors, Bosh has quickly become a dominant power forward. Because of his slender frame, he draws many comparisons with Kevin Garnett. Considering he’s the second string behind Elton Brand, this is one scary kid.
Amare Stoudemire: Considering he has made the first cut, Stoudemire appears to be both mentally and physically ready to play. The team desperately needs him to return to the Stoudemire who scorched the Spurs defense with forty points a game. Otherwise, the starting center will be Brad Miller who is more of a threat outside than inside.
Shane Battier: Apparently, doing a little bit of everything means a lot to the coaching staff. A longtime Memphis Grizzly, Battier’s role of either starter or sixth man has changed each season but his numbers have not. He does not excel at any particular category. In my opinion, injuries and the fact that he was one of Coach K’s favorite athletes at Duke had something to do with his selection.
The following are those who did not qualify and probable reasons why not:
Chauncey Billups: Made a commitment to spend more time with his daughter.
Kobe Bryant: Knee surgery will keep him out of action for 8-12 weeks.
Shawn Marion: Leg and knee injuries. Even so, Marion’s ability to score mainly comes from getting open running down the court. Marion did not see many breakway dunks last Olympics, so he would have to show an array of post moves in order to score. Because that is not his forte, Bosh and Brand are much better candidates.
Adam Morrison: Has yet to play professionally
J.J. Redick: Has yet to play professionally
Lamar Odom: He is still very uncomfortable with the typeof position he plays. In addition, the recent death of his daughter probably has him mentally fatigued.
Paul Pierce: He is just a scorer and has no other specialties that will help the team.
Michael Redd: In my opinion, Redd possesses the nicest looking shot in the NBA, but he is only capable of scoring like Pierce.
Luke Ridnour: Ridnour is a mediocre player competing for a spot on a championship team.
On the eve of the World Championships, the fifteen selected will be trimmed down to twelve. I believe that Kirk Hinrich, Shane Battier, and Antawn Jamison will not make the second cut. Hinrich not only sustained knee and leg injuries during practices, but he is the weakest point guard, Battier is just a mediocre player, and Jamison is the weakest forward.