Your team's expectations for this tournament

[mvblair]

With all these absentees? That's not very reasonable. Off course, USA will have plenty of talent, but let's not forget Spain almost did it in the final against the best NBA players. Looks like it will be a huge challenge for USA.

I expect the US to be fighting for a medal. I realize that this team is starting to look like Team USA 2002, but I still think they can fight for a medal. Gold? Well, that might be a stretch if we don't bring the absolute best players.

[Franz]

I expect the US to be fighting for a medal. I realize that this team is starting to look like Team USA 2002, but I still think they can fight for a medal. Gold? Well, that might be a stretch if we don't bring the absolute best players.

USA can't expect to throw a bunch of new players together and get great results in its first competition together. They need to get rid of that mindset.

Yes, the USA has great individual players who ideal for the NBA. However, this is a totally different thing. Rules are different and calls are made differently. There's no superstar treatment whatsoever which will be a new experience for some. At the same time, there's no telling how players will thrive in international tournament.

If USA can get at least 7-8 players from the 2008 team, they'll be fine. But if they plan to add 7-8 new faces, they'll falter and I don't mean falling to bronze medal.

[LFGC79]

Top 6

[mvblair]

Top 6

I think that's reasonable. I would like to see that. I think there is still a question about PR's centers and their coach (read your signature, LFG ), but I really think PR's guards and forwards are as good as anybody.

[cardenales]

MVBLAIR, another problem of the puertorican squad is the lack of height in are guards. They are very talented guards but has not height, and that hurts when we face the europeans teams.

[krikit]

I still think USA can compete for the gold (though not a big favorite) if they actual put together a squad of players suitable for the FIBA game. I'd like to see Billups as team captain and starting Point Guard.

[Straight forward]

I still think USA can compete for the gold (though not a big favorite) if they actual put together a squad of players suitable for the FIBA game. I'd like to see Billups as team captain and starting Point Guard.

Billups is the guy who fits FIBA game? I don't think so. Completely typical NBA player, specially since Denver I guess.

[Iggypop]

It would be great for us to win the first game, so the players could gain some confidence for the tournament

[g.g]

Medal!

[Jon_Koncak]

Billups is the guy who fits FIBA game? I don't think so. Completely typical NBA player, specially since Denver I guess.

he surely can't come close to Mazutis but he'll try his best.

[Dtown]

By all accounts Chris Paul and Deron Williams will return, so USA should be set at point guard at least. It's every other position that's a question mark.

[Straight forward]

he surely can't come close to Mazutis but he'll try his best.

You're getting to a new level fellow

[Jon_Koncak]

what is the "FIBA game" anyway and how someone fits into it?By Jacking up 3 pointers?Then Billups fits just fine.Do points count differently in this "fiba game"?Do you have to play with your hands tied?.it's a bullshit overrated term and used mostly for guys that aren't good shooters(see Childress) or bigs who don't have mid range shot( see Howard)

[Straight forward]

Probably you right - the differences might be overrated, but you can't say it's non factor at all. Let's remember USA 2004 where Iverson and Marbury struggled with outside shooting so other teams could compresse their defence against bigs (that's possible only in FIBA games) to keep such players as Duncan away from efficiency that he was able to produce in NBA. And so on.

I'm not saying Billups is bad player or he wouldn't do good at fiba games. All I said, I don't see why he could be called as a guy who fits to fiba game more than any other quality American PG.

[Jon_Koncak]

i don't like Billups but for another reason,Usa's huge advantage over the rest teams is their speed,explosiveness,athleticism.Billups just like Kidd in 04 is slow and heavy and nullifies this advantage.I also hate the way he flops to draw fouls,i'm not really a fan of the guy.