Team USA 2024
- Thread starter ifmanis5
- Start date
My takeaway from this is that Embiid is a bad matchup defensively against modern 3-point offenses and a bad matchup offensively due to the style of the international game added to the fact he is surrounded by star-level talent and isn't really needed to the point where he needs to be force fed.
The issue here is simply Embiid.
The use of Bam as a 4 has been odd (and not particularly successful)
I thought it might be Joker-specific but it’s not.
I thought it might be Joker-specific but it’s not.
Everyone associated with the Team has a more effusive view of Booker than I do. Maybe that's a me problem (I associate him playing with bad or underachieving teams, because that's what most of his career has been), but when I hear announcers and coaches talk about how great his defense is and has been, it makes me wonder if I'm losing it. He's been mediocre to below average defensively his whole career, and 9 times out of 10, if we see a team USA player getting beat backdoor it's gonna be Booker.
you and I see the same things…he’s bad and lazy defensively and he’s basically (in this team structure) a good but not great standalone shooter. I don’t see the defense or passing Wade talks about—at all.
Embiid needs to sit out the real games. He’s awful at both ends, each game. He can’t even figure out where to go off ball, and while he’s had some defensive moments he also is slooooow and struggles with the way it’s called
I'm leaving this game happy that Lebron didn't end up signing with Philly as a free agent (not that that was every really on the table). He's still a terrific passer, especially when now that the rest of the team is expecting them and he's looking to set everyone up.
From what I’ve seen this far the closing five in a tight game would be Lebron, Durant, AD, Jrue for sure. Probably Curry as PG unless it’s Canada/SGA and I’d go White.
It reminds me of when NBA Announcers would wax poetic about Jaylen Brown's defense 3-4 seasons ago.
JB was an on-ball defensive beast last year & completely locked up Luka this year but he used to be a bad to mediocre defender. Smart would go nuts on JB every time he got beat back back door
Booker flashes a decent defensive play 1-2X a game but is consistently awful throughout (esp. off ball)
LeBron bitching after a.) getting beaten to a rebound, and b.) clearly hacking his man.
Dude, take a breath.
Dude, take a breath.
I get that logic but it doesn't track with Booker, who looks bad on ball, too. Edwards is where JB was a couple of years ago, he occasionally locks in when it's 1v1 and his defense looks excellent, drowning out the fact that he frequently was is a drag off ball. Booker never has those moments, it's reminding me of Derek Jeter who looked bad both by the eye test and the metric test, yet many swore up and down that he was a good SS.
The Detroit Pistons would destroy PR.
Are we supposed to be impressed with AntMan's ISO ball?
Are we supposed to be impressed with AntMan's ISO ball?
Will be fun to watch Ant next couple of years—he can absolutely be a full-on championship level anchor star. He also could be Dominique or Carmelo—elite offensive player who doesn’t quite do enough as a teammate to win at higher levels.
He has more tools than Tatum. But I think the percentage bet is he is never the all around team player Tatum already is. The ceiling though…it’s definitely higher
He has more tools than Tatum. But I think the percentage bet is he is never the all around team player Tatum already is. The ceiling though…it’s definitely higher
He’s got a much more impactful vertical and can score over guys at rim. He’s quicker. At times he’s a lockdown wing and point defender. His size/strength is a tougher package—he’s a top 1% NBA athlete; Tatum is not.
I don’t think any of those are even debatable. And as I said—I’d take Tatums career looking forward - he’s proven he’ll work and improve. He’s proven he is focused on winning. He’s proven he can be consistent. He’s a better passer and a better team defender. But Ant has generational player capability.
Ok, I hear you – “The Next Jordan” argument. I know what you’re saying in terms of raw athleticism but I actually wonder whether things like a vertical for a 6’4” guy over Tatum’s strength at 6’9”-6’10” is more impactful in today’s game (versus shrimps on Team Puerto Rico). I also think we are underrating Tatum’s shot which has disappeared a bit ws his all around game improved.
And as I said, I can’t get that Dallas series out of my head with Ant.
That's fair.
I like Tatum's size and suspect he will develop into the most impactful Point Center in the NBA when he hits his 30s.
That's an incredibly valuable upside since he'll screw up opponents ability to match up.
If you are going to categorize Tatum as 6'9"-6'10" then you gotta do the same with Ant and call him 6'5"-6'6"
I’m not yet confident he can pull that off on a regular basis physically. I agree it’s conceivable, particularly as he thickens and slows a step.
Do think fun to see
Yeah Tatum was 6'7 when he came into the league, 6'8 for most of the last few years, including Bk-Ref, and now is apparently 6'9-6'10". At this rate he's going to end his career as the tallest guy in the league.
Standing height is kind irrelevant when it comes to Tatum. He's already strong enough at 26 to guard Centers like Bam. PLUS he'll only get thicker/stronger as he ages (esp with his work ethic).
JT & the C's will be the biggest match-up problem for the NBA when he plays the 5 over the next decade.
