Stoudemire, Love, and Aldridge should be chosen ahead of everyone not named Dwight Howard for the post players.

but im secretly hoping he doesn’t get chosen.

He did his dream team thing.

Aldridge got all sorts of flack for being soft and not going to Team USA. Turns out he was a) helping his mom who had cancer and b) becoming awesome. Don’t see how Griffen gets in over him. It’s not a Toyota commercial, its the Olympics. And nobody would think Blake gives you a better shot at a gold medal.

Over Chandler or Bosh.

people are quick to take shots at Chandler and Bosh being on the team – but remember this isn’t NBA basketball it’s international ball, and Bosh is one of our best defenders on opposing bigs, because most bigs in the international game are mid-range type of guys and not conventional lost post bangers. Chandler is also pretty rangy as a defender for the center position.

Love is good and would be solid in the global game, but I like Griffin on the roster. Imagine a lineup of Rose, Durant, Lebron, Griffin, and Howard – how the heck are you supposed to stop that?!?

As far as LMA goes – he burned his bridges when he pulled out. He was exactly the type of player they wanted, but one of the things Colangelo asked them all for was loyalty/commitment to the program, and when he pulled out before the WCs they pretty much wrote him off. Barring injury to a couple of players on the front line, they’re not going to give him a spot – especially with adequate replacements in Bosh, Griffin, and Love. Bosh isn’t quite as good as LMA, but he has a very similar size and skill set.

but the international team might want some toughness in the paint at the 4 spot. You’re not getting any post D from Griffin and Love, but they have their skill sets.

All things considered, LMA fits best alongside Howard as his help D is now such that they would make an unstoppable front line.

Is Nate still on the staff? Would that affect any player considerations?

of twitter.

“At point guard, I’d go with Chris Paul and Deron Williams. As it is, Williams is more suited for international play than either Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook.

At shooting guard, I’d go with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Rather than Ray Allen, I’d want Chauncey Billups back as the veteran leader, fifth guard in the rotation, and 11th/12th man on the team.

At small forward, I’d go with LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Skip Carmelo Anthony here, but not altogether. In all reality, Anthony is more suited to play the 4 internationally.

At power forward, I’d go with Anthony — as this is where he fits positionally — and also Kevin Love, whose court vision and long-range shooting are useful skills for this style of play.

At center, I’d go with Dwight Howard and Lamar Odom. Yes, Odom. Make no mistake, Odom did fantastically for extended minutes at center during the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Chris Bosh, who did a terrific job as the backup center behind Howard during the 2008 Summer Olympics, gets the final spot over Chandler."

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/7/30/2306418/randy-hill-dreaming-up-a-perfect-mix-for-2012-olympics#73383883

Looking back, I’d pull Chauncey Billups due to age and Lamar Odom due to poor work ethic. I’d replace Odom with Blake Griffin — even though I get the argument for Tyson Chandler — and Billups with Derrick Rose, who I skipped over the first time around.

C: Dwight Howard
C: Chris Bosh
PF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Love
PF: Blake Griffin
SF: LeBron James
SF: Kevin Durant
SG: Kobe Bryant
SG: Dwyane Wade
PG: Chris Paul
PG: Derrick Rose
PG: Deron Williams

Also, I shake my head in disgust reading nonsense that some folks spout about how Chris Bosh is worse than LaMarcus Aldridge. It’s some of the most ridiculous stuff I’ve read on here in ages.

As a #1 option, I’d take Bosh over Aldridge each and every time time. As a #3 option, I’d take Bosh over Aldridge each and every time. As a role player, I’d take Bosh over Aldridge each and every time.

Once again, I’ll explain why.

“Yeah, in all fairness to Chris Bosh, he was a more statistically productive #1 option in Toronto than LaMarcus Aldridge has been in Portland. For proof, view Bosh’s age 25 season last year and Aldridge’s age 25 season this year: [Link]

I also feel pretty safe in assuming that Aldridge would’ve wilted in Miami like a flower without sunlight if he played next to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Like Bosh, Aldridge would’ve withered away as an ancillary option. I’d argue even more so than Bosh, though, as y’all’ve seen what happens with Aldridge when he steps aside for somebody else — such as Brandon Roy, who doesn’t hold a candle to James or Wade — and fades to the background."

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/6/13/2221527/blowing-up-the-heat#69691093

That was from this past June.

not because I think he is better, but because Team USA will need all the shooting it can get to avoid the upset via zone defense. Aldridge is deadly as a shooter at PF. We can’t have 10 players whose best move is charging towards the hoop.

Kevin Love earned his spot in 2010. He played against bigger players and did quite well. Gerald Wallace would have made the 2010 team as well if he didn’t get injured during practice. He should definitely get an invite to tryout for his defense. He would be the best one on one defender on the team.

The projected roster needs more defense and shooting so they don’t repeat the mistakes of other USA teams. This is why the 2008 team had Prince and Michael Redd.

I think it would be a mistake not to take Love, especially with the international 3 point line. A solid case can be made for Aldridge, but its close between Bosh, Griffin and LA. Don’t think I’d take Chandler. Bosh or LA can handle the backup C— Bosh was the most effective 5 for the US in Beijing.

Barring injuries, here’s my guess for the 12-man 2012 Olympics team.

PG: Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams
SG: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade
SF: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony
PF: Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin
C: Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler

I think Minnesota Timberwolves forward and Portland native Kevin Love is the 13th man right now.

Carmelo mostly played PF during the world champs so the team doesn’t really need to add another big assuming everyone else falls into line. Injuries may play a part as well – with compressed NBA season and with a few people already nursing naggin injuries – Wade, Kobe and Lebron etc. All of whom could be playing well into May/June and could open the door to Billups, Eric Gordon or Rudy Gay.

I hope LMA does get an invite though because unlike Griffin and Love, LMA has experience playing Center so like Bosh he can flip between the two spots. it is a long shot admittedly, but he would look great next to either Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler or even playing with Chris Bosh.