NBA Off-Season Thread

I would had put Rajon Rondo on the team at guard.

 

I seem to recall Rondo having an unhappy parting with Coach K during the 2010 World Championship team workouts. I don't think he was even a candidate for this team as a result.

But point guards aren't the issue--with Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook, we're adequately stocked there. But we do appear vulnerable in the middle--only one true center, only two true power forwards, everyone else either a wing or guard--I'd say this is the smallest team we've taken into the Olympics in decades. Guess the plan is to run the hell out of everyone, which oughta be fun to watch.

 

Andrew Bynum? Was he available?

 

I think he's in the Dwayne Wade "always has bumps and bruises" category at this point, plus he doesn't seem that coachable, if his 3-point shooting tendencies are any indication. I think they'll just use Love, Griffin or even Lebron at the 5 if they have to in some games.

 

Bynum turned down the invitation to try out.

 

Sheesh! If he's that stupid.... Can you imagine Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin passing on the Olympics if they were healthy?

I agree that Griffin and Love can play center when needed. But it does point to a shortage of quality big men today.

 

I wouldn't take Rondo over Westbrook, Paul, or Williams.

 

I'd take him over Westbrook, and MAYBE over Williams. I get the sense Rondo would kill in international play.

 

Howard and Williams is a nice pairing. Joe Johnson to me is a pretty good player but hardly marquee value, other than he's a "max-" guy (stupid decision.) The only question is whether Brooklyn can get some high value complimentary pieces now, guys like Battier, Allen, etc. Oh yeah, they have Gerald Wallace, who I love watching with his hustle. Need more than 4 guys though.

 

I agree (that he'd be great in international play), but Rondo also hates pretty much every star in the NBA.

There's also positional flexibility to consider when you compare Rondo and Westbrook. Westbrook will play off the ball a lot.

 

I initially thought, "Man, Rondo can't shoot well enough to play international ball," but Rubio is really good in international play. However, I imagine that Rondo won't be as valuable because he's also a bad FT shooter.

 

If this was 10 years ago, I would be really happy the Knicks got Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby.