As we head into the elimination round, what role will each USA player play?

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As elimination round begins, let's take a look at what each player has to do for team USA to take gold in London.
Chris Paul
Paul lead the USA in minutes played in the preliminary round, he will be the starting point guard, he must be a bulldog on the defensive end, stifling opposing backcourt players to create turnovers and transition offense for his team, we all know that the US wants to get out on the open court, and Paul must be the first catalyst of that. Defense leading to offense, dont expect much scoring from him, he knows this team doesnt need him to score, he will focus more on getting Kevin Durant open looks and finding his wing players on the fast break.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe is the starting SG, at this point we don't know understand why, he has been extremely inefficient with his shot selection, and sometimes tries to force the issue on a team where frankly he does not need to (shot 4-17 going into the Australia game). In addition, his defense (which was his calling card in beijing) hasn't been all that good. Perhaps he's biding his time for when it matters most, but Kobe needs to choose his spots on offense and focus on being that bulldog he was in international play on defense.
Kevin Durant
Durant needs to do what he has been doing, shooting the ball. He's the USA's leading scorer and nothing more is expected of him but to shoot the basketball.
Lebron James
The US's swift army knife, Lebron must continue to do whatever is necessary for this team. For the most part he has not looked to score unless needed and is more interested in being a facilitator and thats what he must continue to do. His presence is more needed on the defensive end though, where he is asked to guard bigger low post players every game, aside from Chandler and Love who else with playing time can guard bigger players with consistent success?
Tyson Chandler
The Team's only true big man, stay out of foul trouble Chandler
Deron Williams
Williams must do the same as Chris Paul and try to limit his turnovers, he has been a turnover machine in these olympics, which does not help the US much.
Russell Westbrook
Westbrook has been the team's best perimeter defender, tormenting opposing ball handlers and providing energy for his team with his highlight dunks, he needs to do the same on defense and NOT take crazy shots 2 seconds into the shot clock
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo has clearly been a monster scoring the ball, nothing more is expected of him as he battles Durant for USA leading scorer,
Andre Iguodala
The mini swift army knife, he needs to continue to be a lockdown defensive threat whether its guarding 6-10 bigs, or 6-3 guards, on offense anything he provides will be a boost.
Kevin Love
After Carmelo, Love is the most important player off the bench, the only other big on the team with legitimate playing time, he has to establish himself in the low post and NOT shooting threes, and HAS to rebound, he knows he will be depended on heavily when Chandler gets in foul trouble, and must be a presence inside.
James Harden
make threes? Harden does not play a lot, when he does the game has usually been decided
Anthony Davis
Must remember to put his jersey on before walking out on the floor

2012 USA team VS 1992 USA team who has the edge?

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This summer marks the 20 year anniversary of that legendary 1992 dream team that took the international basketball world by storm. So as is always the case in sports, there must be comparisons to this years team. Could the 2012 version beat the original dream team? Kobe Bryant thinks they can, while Scottie Pippen mentioned in national television that they would beat the 2012 team by 25. Where do we side on this argument? With the legendary 92 team of course, and there shouldn't be any debate here.
First lets analyze the 2012 version, they are obviously fast and loaded at every position, but they have one major weakness, and thats their lack of size. This is a very glaring need when you consider that Tyson Chandler is on the team, now this is by no means a cheap shot at Chandler who is the reigning defensive player of the year. Yet, Howard's injury left a big gaping hole for this year's group. In addition, this team's starting 5 will most likely not even feature a true PF, it will most likely see Lebron at the 4 and Melo at the 3, with Kevin Durant coming off the bench and filling the role that Dwyane Wade had in 08 (who also happens to be out of this year's olympics because of injury) as the team's leading scorer.
Kevin Love and Anthony Davis are the other bigs with Blake Griffin out with that meniscus tear. That leaves Team USA with only 3 legit big men, not to mention that Davis will probably not see a lot of time on the court. They are however very versatile and fast, and besides Chandler and Paul, every other player can play multiple positions.  This provides a matchup nightmare for opponents, they can put Lebron at just about any position. While Lebron can hold his own guarding the other team's center for some time, the same cant be said about the center that will have to guard Lebron. Not to mention having to guard the 6-10 Kevin Durant who plays like a 2 guard. All these matchup problems is what makes this team so hard to defeat at the international level (not to mention the supreme difference of talent) BUT, not if they play the 92 dream team.
The 1992 team has one overwhelming advantage, size, even if Howard had played for the 2012 team, the advantage would still be considerable down in the post. The 92 team had 11 hall of  famers, some of which were: centers Patrick Ewing and David Robinson, Power Forwards Charles Barkley, and arguably the best PF of all time (second in our humble opinion only to Tim Duncan) Karl Malone. There is no way that the 2012 version could match up with these 4. The 2012 team have three potent scorers in the wing in Durant, Lebron and Melo, but the 92 team had Scottie Pippen who was considered at the time the best defender in the WORLD,  he would no doubt spend most of his time on Durant and Lebron.
Then there's that issue of Michael Jordan, at the peak of his powers in 1992, still young and Athletic, a former defensive player of the year, he would be a problem at both ends of the floor. Everybody wants to talk about Michael vs Kobe, but think about it, 2012 Kobe is 34 years old, 92 Jordan was 29, and even if they were both at the top of their prime, Jordan would still have the advantage. Where the 2012 team could possibly have an advantage is at the point guard position, with Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Russell Westbrook running havoc with their speed and athleticism, but which one of those 3 would be able to guard the greatest PG of all time in Magic Johnson? Johnson was already at the twilight of his career, but only because he was absent due to his HIV sickness, unlike Larry Bird who had a very bad back, Magic was still a very very good player. Not to mention that 92 team had Stockton who was a underrated defender, and the all time leader in steals in the history of the league.
Overall, the game would be splendid, but the lack of size of the 2012 team, in addition with the experience and the fact that about 9 of those players in the 92 squad were in the peak of their prime (it also doesn't hurt when one of those players is the greatest of all time), we give the edge to the 92 dream team.
Do you think the size would be a big problem for the 2012 team? How could the 2012 team counter such problem and turn it into an advantage?
-Elton Brand and Chris Kaman will both join the Dallas Mavericks
-The Houston Rockets now seem to be making the most noise in their bid for Howard
-Lakers are interested in Jamison and Jermaine Oneal
-The Heat might give Greg Oden a look
-Jeremy Linn has signed his offer sheet from the Rockets, which amounts up to 3 years and 25 million all guaranteed.
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The Nets will move forward today, is Howard to Brooklyn a good move for the league?

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Dwight Howard has consumed the news for quite some time now, but is Howard going to the Nets really a good thing? When the lockout was in full effect before this season started, one of the many problems to be resolved was competitive equality. Owners were worried that big market teams would always have the advantage because they can offer more money than most other teams (such as the Lakers, Knicks, Miami) to big time players. Such was the reason that a hard salary cap will kick in with the new collective Bargaining agreement in a few seasons. A Hard salary cap means that teams who go over the allowed spending limit, will have to pay luxury tax. This will allow small market teams better chance at superstar players.
But until the new hard cap kicks in, we are still facing the same issue, many general managers around the league do not want to see another quote on  quote "super team" formed. whether the Nets can be considered a super team if they acquire Howard is up to debate. However,  acquiring Howard would definitely portray the Nets as a another super team so lets think of Brooklyn as such. This would not be good for the league for a number of reasons. First, if the Nets acquire Howard it will continue the trend that  Lebron James started. since Lebron's "decision" every team wants to bring together a bunch of superstars, so Howard would definitely convert a trend into regularity. Second, that leads to lack of competitiveness around the league, if there's only 4 great teams and 26 mediocre teams, what will be the point of watching basketball when you already know what the conference championships will look like?
Now you can argue that it wont matter, look at the Oklahoma City Thunder for example. They created a championship team purely out of the draft and some smart low key trades. But it takes luck to be able to do that, the Thunder had the benefit of drafting a once in a generation superstar in Kevin Durant and happened to be bad enough to get other high picks in the draft while Durant developed. They also happened to assert correctly in their picks of Harden and Westbrook. So to do what OKC did it takes a lot of luck and picks at the right time. Thats why Howard to the Nets isn't a great move for the league. The Heat brought the league a lot of revenue and fame with their decision to come together because they did something that had never been done before, in addition it doesn't hurt that one of the players was Lebron James, one of the most polarizing players in all of major sports. whether you hate him or love him, everybody wanted to see if the Heat would fail or succeed. If Howard, goes to the Nets it will not generate the same buzz because it wouldn't be the first time it was done, and because Deron Williams and Dwight Howard aren't as popular as Lebron James and Dwyane Wade.
Even Howard to the lakers would be better for the league. The lakers wouldn't be a "Super" team, and everybody outside of Lakerland should know that. Kobe will turn 34 this august and he's in the twilight of his brilliant career. Steve Nash also happens to be 38, so they will be a very good team, but by no standards a "super" team.
Are Super teams good or bad for the league? If so what do you think would be a good solution or method to deal with them?
-Restricted free agent Linn says he was upset at the Knicks for not making the first move
-Heat introduce Allen and Lewis as they sign contract today
-Lakers will introduce Nash today
-Nets have added Stackhouse and are moving today to sign Lopez either to sign and trade him, or sign him to make him part of Brooklyn's core group for the future
-Hibbert will return to Indiana after they match Portland offer
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Deron Williams resigns with Nets, how good can Brooklyn be this year?

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Deron Williams resigns with the Nets for 100 Million and 5 years. He rejected the Mav's 4 years and 75 million, and will continue to be the face of the franchise. With Williams now resigned and Joe johnson on his way, how good can this team be in their first year in brooklyn? With D.Will at the point and Joe johnson at the 2, they now have one of the best (if not the best) backcourts in the NBA, along with Gerald Wallace you are looking at a dangerous team.
Before we can determine how good they really can be, we have to wait and see what happens with Dwight Howard. The Nets have offered the Magic, Brook Lopez, Kris Humphris, three first round picks (2013,2015,2017), and promising stud MarShon Brooks. Regardless of what happens with Howard though, expect the Nets (barring injury) to reach playoff. If they manage to get Howard, no doubt they could be as good as second in the east behind the Heat. If they don't trade for Howard then they wll resign back Lopez and have a formidable starting 5.
The reason we like this team so much is because they have addressed specific needs. While everybody is talking about D.Will and Joe Johnson, people forget about their first offseason signing of Gerald Wallace. Wallace will start in almost any team and is a proven defender. When the Nets play the Miami Heat or Oklahoma City, they will have a very good defender to guard Lebron or Durant.
Deron Williams will have a great year, last year his assist numbers went down a little bit (8.7) and his scoring went up because of a lack of weapons. Lopez missed most of the year and without him, the Net's offense depended solely on Williams scoring. This year, he will have Lopez back, and fans should not worry about injury concerns. Before this year, Lopez had not missed a SINGLE game in three years since he entered the league. Gerald Wallace can also score the ball, and then there's Joe Johnson.
Johnson is a polarizing player, many like him and many hate him. It is agreed that the Hawks made a mistake in giving Johnson a max contract. However, we cannot crucify him for taking the best available offer on the table and use it as an excuse to downgrade how good this guy is. A 6 time all-star, and a guy that can give you 20 points every night. Johnson was simply on a team where he had to be the #1 indisputable option and he's not that player. Now he goes to a team where he is the second or third option and with one of the best point guards in the league. Avery Johnson is a great coach and he will put him in situations to score, and not dribble out at the three point line for 20 seconds of the shot clock. The nets regardless of what happens with Howard, are in a great position going forward and will have home court advantage come april 2013.
-In other news, the Celtics are close to a deal with Jason Terry that will pay him 5 million for three years, which raises the question: what now for Ray Allen? The Celtics still are intent on signing him, but Allen does not like the idea of coming of the bench for Avery Bradley
-The Toronto Raptors have agreed with Landry Fields on a three year 20 million contract, he is a restricted free agent so the Knicks will have three days to match the offer
What do you think of the Net's offseason moves so far? All questions and comments are welcomed

Joe Johnson to the Nets as free agency, big mistake for nets???

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With free agency on its way the Atlanta Hawks have made the most noise so far by getting rid of Joe Johnson. The Hawks have made a great move by getting rid of perhaps the worse deal of the 2010 free agency. The trade will go through as followed: the Nets will receive Joe Johnson (who still has almost 90 million and three years left on his contract), while the the Hawks receive Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, and Deshawn Stevenson.
The Hawks are clearly looking to clear cap space, they also traded away marvin williams for Devin Harris. So in one week they have gotten rid of their two biggest contract. This trade works perfectly for both teams, the Nets are looking to give Deron Williams a reason to stay, and now they have. This deal will only go through under the notion that Williams will resign with the Nets and he should.
The Nets will play this year in their new arena in Brooklyn, signed Gerald Wallace to a 4 year deal, and managed to keep Promising guard MarShon Brooks. The Nets will have in their starting 5 Deron Williams (should he resign), JJ, Gerald Wallace, and Brook Lopez. People perhaps have forgotten how good Brook Lopez is, he sat out this year with a foot injury but was averaging 19.2 ppg before he went down. Joe Johnson did not deserve the contract he has, and is definitely not a first option star, but joe as a second or third option behind Brook Lopez and Deron Williams is a devastating option.
The Nets will definitely make the playoffs with this group and perhaps challenge for home court in the first round. Specially against the weaker eastern conference in which after the defending champions, there is not an established second best or third team at this point. What this does though, is take the Nets out of contention for Dwight Howard. Howard made the mistake of opting into the last year of his contract, and essentially putting the ball back in the Magic's court.
Which now leads us to the other side of the trade. The Atlanta Hawk's new general manager Danny Ferry noticed something we have known for a few years. This Atlanta Hawks group's ceiling has been no more than the second round of the playoffs for the last few years. They did not get any relevant players in comparison to Joe Johnson, but now put themselves in position to sign none other than Dwight Howard next summer. The Hawks also have promising young players Al Horford and Jeff Teague to shop around. This is one of those rare big name trades in which both teams come out winning.
For years, the Hawks have had Joe Johnson dribbling the ball at the top of the key for 20 seconds of the shot clock at the end of games. Making everybody wonder why did they give him the biggest contract in the heralded 2010 free agency. Now they position themselves to potentially make a run at Dwight Howard. That being said, Joe Johnson is a GREAT player and a proven All-Star, he just isn't good enough to be the de facto go to guy. Now he'll potentially play with one of the best point guards in the game. Now, remember this only goes through if Deron Williams resigns with Brooklyn. Meanwhile the Hawks now put themselves in position to sign Dwight Howard and another great point guard who will also be a free agent in the summer of 2013, Chris Paul.
-Any questions or comments will be responded so feel free to comment

Odom to the clippers, D-will to the Mavs?? Nash to Toronto? Free Agency about to heat up

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With free agency a day away, the headlines are heating up. The Clippers have traded for Lamar Odom and are positioning themselves to challenge for the Western Conference championship  now that their core is intact. Odom is a polarizing player to the average NBA fan, some like him and some dont. But the fact is that Odom was a huge piece of the Lakers title runs from 09 and 10 as their six man. No doubt this is once again the role that Odom will play coming off the bench for the youthful Clippers. Odom is a 6-11 forward who can basically play al 5 positions and start the offense, something he did constantly for the Lakers. His run in Dallas was not a good one but now that he's back in LA in a team that will be VERY competitive he should look to bounce back.
Odom will join a talented bench that will no doubt have the advantage on most nights when each team's benches come in the game. This is a great move, and gives the clippers a lot of versatility (could you imagine a lineup of Paul, Billups, Odom, Griffin, Jordan). With Oklahoma potentially losing Ibaka or Harden the Clips are positioning themselves to show the Thunder that they will not run through the Western Conference.
While all the attention of free agency has gone to star point guard and Deron Williams, people seem to forget that Steve Nash is also a free agent. The 2-time MVP spoke yesterday and for the first time sounded like he was expecting not to be a Phoenix Suns next Year. The Suns Drafted Kendall Marshall in this year's draft, the only true point guard in the draft and seem to be ready to call it quits on the Nash era. Nash has said that he will listen to every team that calls with an offer. But you have to think that at this point Nash wants to go to a team that can compete for a championship immediately. The four teams that seem to have the most interest at this point are: the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Toronto Raptors.
The Nets and Dallas are obviously looking at Nash only if they fail to get Deron Williams, so obviously one of these two teams will heavily recruit him once Williams makes his decision. The Toronto Raptors seem to think that they can lure Nash away with the prospect of having the greatest Canadian player ever play for Canada. But realistically speaking, why would Nash waste his last few years for a team that will OBVIOUSLY not win a championship? and will just struggle to make it to the playoffs.  So lets keep an eye on where Nash lands because it will be a huge swing in somebody's favor. Nash will no longer be averaging a double double in whichever championship team he signs for, but he will be a huge piece, somebody who you want to have out on the floor at the end of game, many teams will want that. If not... consider one team that will want his services,  the Miami Heat.