So far so good for our redemption team. They have the mindset and talent to win gold. No letdowns! Here are my grades thus far:
1. A+ Lebron James - Are you serious? This guy is the best player on the planet and playing like it. DId you know he leads the tourney in assists? How about 4th in blocks? I cannot say enough about this guy. He two play play has been incredible.
2. A Wade - Wade has regained his marquee form. This guy is playing so hard and he keeps getting steals (2nd overall) and turning them into athletic baskets. WADE IS BACK!!!!!!
3. A Bosh - I bet this will surprise a few but it shouldn't. This guy has been great. He defense is so good for this style of ball. Time and time again he has been there on defense with his quick feet. HE leads the team in rebounding and has been HUGE.
4. B+ Bryant - His offense has been off a little but his defense, athletic ability and smarts have been excellent. This team would not be this good without Koby.
5. B Howard - He has been the force they have hoped for. No big man in the world can run with him outside the US and he has made them pay. His defense has been ferocious.
6. B Paul - This is the one guy that keep gettting better and needs more playing time. He is small and gets exposed a little on defense in international ball but his court sense, penetration and passing are great and getting better.
7. B Anthony - I am not the biggest fan of Carmelo Anthony I must say but he has continued his good play. His 7/14 from 3 point land has been impressive. He promised more rebounding and has delivered.
8. B Kidd - Kidd has one basket so far but that is fine. All he needs to do is run the team. And he is. WIth an all star team a PG needs to run the offense (Hello Allen Iverson and Marbury two previous players for us that shot way too much). He is doing exactly what he should and nothing more or less.
9. B- Williams - Deron WIlliams has been solid. He is battling Paul for PT off the bench and that is not easy. Paul has outplayed him by a little bit for sure but Williams is getting plenty of PT and great off the bench.
10. B- Prince - You need role players on a team like this and Prince fits the bill. He has been good when asked. He does a little bit of everything and has shot well in his limited playing time.
11. B- Redd - Michael Redd was supposed to be team USA's scorer and 3 point specialist off the bench that was sorely missing from other teams. Not sure he has been that at all but he has only played 45 minutes so far. It is nice to have a guy like this coming off the bench. His time may yet come.
12. C+ Boozer - Boozer is the one guy that I would have not wanted on this team with Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan the better players for sure. He has played the fewest minutes on the team playing 30 minutes. He has done ok.
Coach K and staff A AgainstGreece a couple of years ago the US was outcoached bigtime not handling the pick and roll and the funky international offenses. They have worked very hard and made the changes. The team is playing great defense and the players like the coaching staff. That helps.
I know the grades are high but no way can you give bad grades with the way the team has performed. Thanks.
1. A+ Lebron James - Are you serious? This guy is the best player on the planet and playing like it. DId you know he leads the tourney in assists? How about 4th in blocks? I cannot say enough about this guy. He two play play has been incredible.
2. A Wade - Wade has regained his marquee form. This guy is playing so hard and he keeps getting steals (2nd overall) and turning them into athletic baskets. WADE IS BACK!!!!!!
3. A Bosh - I bet this will surprise a few but it shouldn't. This guy has been great. He defense is so good for this style of ball. Time and time again he has been there on defense with his quick feet. HE leads the team in rebounding and has been HUGE.
4. B+ Bryant - His offense has been off a little but his defense, athletic ability and smarts have been excellent. This team would not be this good without Koby.
5. B Howard - He has been the force they have hoped for. No big man in the world can run with him outside the US and he has made them pay. His defense has been ferocious.
6. B Paul - This is the one guy that keep gettting better and needs more playing time. He is small and gets exposed a little on defense in international ball but his court sense, penetration and passing are great and getting better.
7. B Anthony - I am not the biggest fan of Carmelo Anthony I must say but he has continued his good play. His 7/14 from 3 point land has been impressive. He promised more rebounding and has delivered.
8. B Kidd - Kidd has one basket so far but that is fine. All he needs to do is run the team. And he is. WIth an all star team a PG needs to run the offense (Hello Allen Iverson and Marbury two previous players for us that shot way too much). He is doing exactly what he should and nothing more or less.
9. B- Williams - Deron WIlliams has been solid. He is battling Paul for PT off the bench and that is not easy. Paul has outplayed him by a little bit for sure but Williams is getting plenty of PT and great off the bench.
10. B- Prince - You need role players on a team like this and Prince fits the bill. He has been good when asked. He does a little bit of everything and has shot well in his limited playing time.
11. B- Redd - Michael Redd was supposed to be team USA's scorer and 3 point specialist off the bench that was sorely missing from other teams. Not sure he has been that at all but he has only played 45 minutes so far. It is nice to have a guy like this coming off the bench. His time may yet come.
12. C+ Boozer - Boozer is the one guy that I would have not wanted on this team with Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan the better players for sure. He has played the fewest minutes on the team playing 30 minutes. He has done ok.
Coach K and staff A AgainstGreece a couple of years ago the US was outcoached bigtime not handling the pick and roll and the funky international offenses. They have worked very hard and made the changes. The team is playing great defense and the players like the coaching staff. That helps.
I know the grades are high but no way can you give bad grades with the way the team has performed. Thanks.
