Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe discuss Dame

[KeepOnRollin]

Simmons: Lillard Should Make Team USA Over Irving

http://forwardcenter.net/simmon-lillard-should-make-team-usa-over-irving/

Bill Simmons: It’s interesting though, you mention Lillard. Why wouldn’t … everybody has Kyrie definitely on this team. In my opinion, A) a better fit B) he’s done more and C) I think he’s just better. Like, why isn’t he penciled in ahead of Kyrie?

Zach Lowe: After last season there’s really no good answer. They’re similar players except Lillard was sort of a more stable team force and a better three-point shooter last year, off the dribble and off the catch, more prolific and just better. And he’s a sneaky good athlete, too. He’s not quite as flashy in terms of the dribbling and fancy passes as Kyrie but he may be nearly as good of an athlete if not a better one and more above the rim when he needs to be. I agree with you. If he’s not penciled in, or if he’s clearly regarded behind Kyrie in the pecking order, I’m not sure why that is.

Bill Simmons: I really hope that’s not the case and by the way, everybody on this team should be put on the team under the premise of, “We’re in Spain, who do you trust in that game?” I trust Damian Lillard, I just think that guy is fearless. I don’t trust Kyrie Irving at all. I’ve never even seen him play in a big game. I know what Damian Lillard can do in a big game. I’ve seen him have multiple big moments. If you made the All-Testicles team, he would be the point guard. I think he should be on the team. What’s interesting though, we mention Rose, Curry, Damian Lillard, we mentioned Kyrie Irving, I’m not sure you can have all four.

Zach Lowe: You could. I mean you play …

Bill Simmons:Why would you though?

Zach Lowe: Well you’re playing Spain and if you’re thinking about the Spain match-up, Juan Carlos Navarro is still on the roster. He’s listed on the FIBA roster. He’s a little guy by shooting guard standards and if they are going to play a point guard in him you can play two point guards pretty easily. And against some other international teams, you can play the same. If your wings are not satisfying you, you could go that route. But the other knock on Lillard is, at the very least, he’s not going to have Harden and Parsons playing defense against him in big moments for Team USA. Making up the roster is an interesting part of the game, I’m glad I’m not the one that has to do it.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

 

[Minstrel]

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).

 

[KeepOnRollin]

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.

No problem. I considered making it its own thread when I posted it. Should have so thanks for taking care of it.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I thought the only thing Nate ever did around here was ban people?!?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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.

 

[NewsSource]

Why wouldn’t … everybody has Kyrie definitely on this team. In my opinion, A) a better fit B) he’s done more and C) I think he’s just better. Like, why isn’t he penciled in ahead of Kyrie?

Coach K, that's why. Next

 

[SlyPokerDog]

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.

 

[illmatic99]

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.

 

[Minstrel]

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.

 

[NewsSource]

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.

 

[maxiep]

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.

No one practiced harder than Allen Iverson. No one.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It's amazing how Iverson has already gone broke.

Sad.

 

[illmatic99]

No one practiced harder than Allen Iverson. No one.

People let that interview cloud their judgement. You think that scrawny guy could do what he did on the bball floor without practicing?

 

[e_blazer]

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.

 

[maxiep]

People let that interview cloud their judgement. You think that scrawny guy could do what he did on the bball floor without practicing?

Lighten up. I was making a joke.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

 

[NewsSource]

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

Rose has been discussed at length in the FIBA thread, but remember that the lead assistant is Tom Thibodeau.

Yup. So Rose and Irving will make the team simply because of Coach K and Thibs.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

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.

I loved that, PG of the All-Testicles Team.

 

[dviss1]

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.

Well he didn't say that. What he said was:

If you made the All-Testicles team, he would be the point guard.

So here's the All-Testicles team IMHO:

PG Damian Lillard
SG Kobe Bryant (even though I hate him...)
SF Kevin Durant
PF Lebron James
C Marc Gasol (no Dwight.. you have no balls...)

Lillard's game is nothing like Iverson's. No one will confuse him with AI.

 

[dviss1]

People let that interview cloud their judgement. You think that scrawny guy could do what he did on the bball floor without practicing?

Clyde Drexler certainly did. He was a horrible practice player.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Rose has been discussed at length in the FIBA thread, but remember that the lead assistant is Tom Thibodeau.

I can see Thibodeau not wanting Rose on the team.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It's amazing how Iverson has already gone broke.

Sad.

He can't even get much for his testicles. Ten bucks and a frisbee. (See who gets that reference.)

 

[NewsSource]

I can see Thibodeau not wanting Rose on the team.

You may be right. It was odd seeing the video of Thibodeau, Coach K, and Rose talk about how great he looks. Talk about putting pressure on a guy for a young Team USA, especially a guy who hasn't played well in over two years.

Is he only there to build up his confidence for next season, and will bow out?

Even odds at this point eh?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

You may be right. It was odd seeing the video of Thibodeau, Coach K, and Rose talk about how great he looks. Talk about putting pressure on a guy for a young Team USA, especially a guy who hasn't played well in over two years.

Is he only there to build up his confidence for next season, and will bow out?

Even odds at this point eh?

Considering how oddly his knee blew out in Portland I'd be trying to limit the mileage on those knees.

 

[NewsSource]

Considering how oddly his knee blew out in Portland I'd be trying to limit the mileage on those knees.

Yeah, you're right, it makes perfect sense. I was also skeptical of why from Day One of camp the coaches all made a point to let him know he needs to be a leader. Why say that when the guy hasn't played at an elite level since Almost Human debuted well and then was cancelled.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Yeah, you're right, it makes perfect sense. I was also skeptical of why from Day One of camp the coaches all made a point to let him know he needs to be a leader. Why say that when the guy hasn't played at an elite level since Almost Human debuted well and then was cancelled.

LOL! I wonder if Adidas is pressuring Rose to play? New shoe line just came out.

 

[Minstrel]

He can't even get much for his testicles. Ten bucks and a frisbee. (See who gets that reference.)

Bad lip reading?

 

[Natebishop3]

The seeds of discontent?

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