My "Dream Team"

With the US National Basketball Squad practicing and preparing for the upcoming '08 Olympics, I decided to put together my own squad that I think would be the best for the USA to regain it's dominance we used to have in international basketball. Let me make it clear that I don't think these are the top 15 players in the NBA, but the 15 that can make the best "team". Here is my Dream Team '08:

Kobe Bryant: Clear choice right here. Great shooter, scorer, and an underrated defender. Some might question his ability to play with a real team, but when he had a great team with Shaq and all the other dynasty era Lakers, he had no problems at all playing as a team. Also a veteran leader who can make the great play in the clutch.

Tim Duncan: Another obvious choice. One of the greatest big men to ever step on the court and an excellent team player. Dominant on both sides of the ball and has the fundamentals that most big men now-a-days are lacking. A true champion who knows how to win.

LeBron James: Although he's not a great shooter (or even good), he can get to the bucket at will and is just a matchup nightmare. Too fast for small forwards, and too big and strong for most guards, you can't keep him off this team.

Kevin Garnett: I always believed KG was made for teams like these. He doesn't demand the ball and that might be great for a team that can score like this one, but bad for an NBA team where he is expected to be "the man". Great passer for a big man and an excellent rebounder. Perhaps even better, he plays with heart, which has been missing since '96.

Carmelo Anthony: A very good scorer and an above-average shooter who led last year's FIBA team in scoring. For that, he has shown he can play internationally and in the FIBA's, he was determined to prove himself. If he stays determined, there's no doubt in my mind that 'Melo deserves to be on this team.

Greg Oden: A true big man who can play defense with the best and keeps defenders out of the paint. Not a tremendous scorer, but keeping other teams out of the paint and off the boards will more than make up for it.

Jason Kidd: A tremendous passer and that is much needed on this team. A streaky shooter, but knows when to shoot, and when not too. Another veteran leader who makes all of his teammates better.

Kevin Durant: This is another guy who is perfect for international basketball. He is a great shooter/scorer and his defense is good enough. His size is what sets him apart though. He's tall and long so he can get a hand in the face of those tall Dirk Nowitzki-type players who are bigs can't defend on the perimeter.

Bruce Bowen: Exactly what the US needs, a tough/defensive forward who can guard anyone on the team and knock down the 3 consistently. This would be the key to the US winning it all.

Chris Bosh: A fundamentally sound player who can step out and make the mid-range shot. Pretty good defender and passer.

Gilbert Arenas: A great scorer who can do it all offensively. A very,very good shooter who always finds a way to stay motivated. Not a great passer, but this team could use a shooter.

Baron Davis: Athletic, great player who can play at any pace. A leader at the point and a very good passer. Not as good of a scorer as Arenas, and not as good of a a passer as Kidd, but a little bit of both.

Deron Williams: Underrated young player who doesn't have a huge weakness. Great passer. Pretty good shooter who will knock down the 3 if you give it to him. Smart player who creates plays for others and doesn't force anything.

Ray Allen: Veteran who can consistently hit a jumper with or without a man guarding him. Plays with pride.

Jason Kapono: Yeah, I know, he can't do much but shoot. But he's such a great shooter that his shooting makes up for everything else. Plays hard. And someone has to hit an open shot when the zone collapses on LeBron or Kobe or whoever.



Honorable Mentions: Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudamire, Dwight Howard, Michael Redd, Elton Brand, Paul Pierce.

(And no, I'm not anti-Suns. I love the Suns, but Amare can't play man defense and that was shown against Duncan and if I could put on a 16th man, I'd put Shawn Marion on the squad.)
I want opinions if you agree or disagree with my choices for Team USA.