USA Basketball Recap

With Kevin Durant's game winning block against Spain a few night ago, Team USA remained undefeated in International play. Team USA is in the pursuit for their first gold medal since 1994. Chicago's own Derrick Rose dominated down the stretch hitting clutch free throws and finishing strong with the left hand (and one).

Ricky Rubio impressed me the most as he showed why the Minnesota drafted him fifth in the 2009 NBA Draft Draft. Rubio reminds me of a taller version of Steve Nash minus the 3-point range. Spain and USA have become quite a rivalry the past five years and I can pretty much say these two teams will meet in the World Basketball Finals.

Without Howard, Boozer, Bosh, Team USA has to rely on Tyson Chandler, Brook Lopez, and Kevin Love as their big man. This current group is more athletic than the Redeem Team but not as talented. Kevin Durant is the new leader of this group according to the coaching staff and the media but Big Shot Chauncey Billups is the one these young ball players need to listen to.

Way too many slashers in this group and not enough big men and shooters. Therefore when the next cuts take place, Coach K should say goodbye to Russel Westbrook, Ruddy Gay, and Danny Grainger. Reasons being Curry, Gordan, Billups are the shooters. Rose, Rondo play the lead guard. Odom, Wallace, and Iggie are the athletic do everything forwards.

The group is good enough to win the gold along with the 2012 Olympics but they better not take Spain for granted.

Rookie/Sophomore Game - Dunk Off

Last night in Dallas the Rookies finally defeated the Sophomore class in the annual game that takes place during All-Star weekend. Tyreke Evans walked away with the MVP but DeJuan Blair have the best game of the night putting up 22 points 21 rebounds. One play Blair even threw the ball off the backboard then slammed it down with one hand. What's most amazing is that this guy tore his ACL in both legs. I expected Brandon Jennings aka Kenny Anderson clone to shine in this type of game but not a flashy as he was during his AAU days.

Demar Rozen qualified to participate in the dunk contest defeating Eric Gordon. I don't know why a shooter like Gordon even challenged a dunker like Rozen. I've seen Rozen do better dunks on YouTube versus the ones he did last night (don't wanna give away too much).

Tonight I'm predicting Derrick Rose will win the skills challenge along with Chauncey Billups to win the 3-point contest followed by Shannon Brown to win the dunk contest.

Tune into TNT to watch all the activities this weekend!!!!!

AI RETURNS...BUT NOT IN BASKETBALL SHAPE

Allen Iverson made his return against his old team the Denver Nuggets tonight and tallied 11 points. Iverson appears to be in great shape....but not basketball shape. For any of my readers knows what it means to play ball but not be in basketball shape, then you know how AI feels tonight. One play Chauncey Billups drove right, crossed left between the legs which left Iverson flat on his butt. That is the below the rim highlight of the night.

With Elton Brand, Iggy, Thaddeous Young, Louis Williams, Jason Kappano and the return of AI, the Sixers have the slasher, shooter, youth & experience to nab the #4 seed come playoff time. Cleveland, Orlando, Boston will be the top 3 seeds out the Eastern Conference.

AI just wanted the respect and in a tough town like Philadelphia that booed Santa Clause they love AI just as they loved Ryan Howard, Charles Barkley, McNabb, and Mike Schmidt. Welcome back to the League AI now  go improve your team and teach the young guys how to play the game the right way.

Basketball Version - What are you Thankful For.....

With the holiday season kicking off this Thursday what are you thankful for from a basketball standpoint? With the season still very young here's what I'm thankful for..

• I'm thankful that the rest of the world can finally see the talent of Will Bynum that we have witnessed in Chicago since 1999
• I'm thankful that Earl Boykins is back in the NBA. He should have never been overseas
• I'm thankful that nine teams realized that made a mistake by passing up Brandon Jennings
• I'm thankful for NBA TV. That is the best cable channel and provides scores & highlights 24/7
• I'm thankful Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd & Steve Nash are still playing. They're up in age but I'd choose them over any new young PG in the L
• I'm thankful for all the upcoming games on all the ESPN Networks. Coaches vs. Cancer, Preseason NIT, Great Alaska Shootout, etc
• I'm thankful that Jokim Noah is playing at a high level and leading the League in rebounding
• And finally....I'm thankful that at 33 I'm still in good health and able to play ball 4 days a week

With the holiday season approaching us please remember to be careful if you're doing Black Friday