Simmons: Lillard Should Make Team USA Over Irving http://forwardcenter.net/simmon-lillard-should-make-team-usa-over-irving/
I made this its own thread. It's a really good podcast. They basically say that they think Dame is better than Kyrie right now. They said Dame makes the All-Testicles team.
Zach Lowe is the best basketball writer by a wide margin, in my opinion. I can't say that I think Bill Simmons is excellent, but he makes a good straight man in interactions with the experts at Grantland (Lowe for basketball, Barnwell for football, etc).
No problem. I considered making it its own thread when I posted it. Should have so thanks for taking care of it.
Here's the thing. Who was Irving's college coach? Who is now coach of Team USA? That's the main thing. But even if there wasn't that: you get rewarded for length of service. Irving has shown up on the select team at least once before (maybe twice, I can't remember) and, by all accounts, outplayed his counterparts on the real team. I would be frankly amazed if he didn't make it. I honestly think Lillard shouldn't make it. He's a very good shooter, but Curry is better. He's not much of a defender or passer - certainly Wall is better at him than both of those. If he should make it over anyone, it should be Derrick Rose. But Rose was the starting PG last time, and you don't demote people like that, especially people who've made a point of coming out even after injury. (And when his NBA coach is the assistant coach.) Simmonds praises Lillard for being big in the clutch. Fair enough. But is that really going to be an issue for Team USA? (a) there will BE no clutch, and (b) even if there were, you KNOW Durant gets that shot.
My worry is that by labeling Lillard the leader of the All-Testicles team people are going to think of his as another Allen Iverson. Not saying Iverson was bad but I think Lillard is a harder worker and a better team player.
Regardless, AI was an iconic player (both on and off the floor) in his era and definitely my favorite while growing up. He was an MVP who led his broke ass team to the finals and he even won a game against LA in one of the most gutty performances in NBA history. He will most likely be a first ballot HOF player. Dame's comparison to AI would be pretty sick, tbh, and doesn't really evoke any bad connotations in my mind.
Iverson was definitely iconic and a blast to watch play, though I also think he was overrated in terms of how much he helped his team win. I don't think he was selfish and he was actually a much better passer in his prime than he was given credit for. But his calling card was scoring and he wasn't as efficient as other elite scorers. Still a legitimate franchise player, but I wouldn't necessarily consider him a first ballot Hall of Famer (personal evaluation, not a prediction of whether he will be). Still, if Lillard had Iverson's career, that's a pretty great outcome.
It's a tough call personally as well, but his career averages were 27/6/4 with 2.2 spg, and that's after his last couple of miserable seasons. His career PER of 21 isn't that great, but compare him to an Isiah Thomas, and Iverson was the much better player. He'll get in as soon as he's able to be elected, and based on his numbers, I'm OK with it.
People let that interview cloud their judgement. You think that scrawny guy could do what he did on the bball floor without practicing?
All of the PGs that are trying out are great, so it's no disgrace if Lillard doesn't make it this time. Frankly, it's a win for him and the Blazers either way. Having him work out against the best is only going to push him to greater heights as a player.
I really don't even understand why Rose is there. The guy hasn't played meaningful minutes in two seasons. I'd be pissed if I was the Bulls.
Rose has been discussed at length in the FIBA thread, but remember that the lead assistant is Tom Thibodeau.