If Team USA basketball selected its team like the Little League World Series determines its U.S. champion, who would win? That is the question we at eDraft Sports set out to find, and for the past two weeks we’ve been previewing some of the hypothetical teams based on regions. The idea is to gather the best talent in the region, and have that team represent America. Then, determine which team would actually win in a tournament.
So far, we’ve previewed the New England, Midwest, and Northwest regions, and today we look at the Mid-Atlantic region. These players all hail from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and D.C. Who made the team?
Guards
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving is a strong starting point guard for this loaded squad, and has already proven himself on the international level. He was named tournament MVP at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, and was named 2014 USA Male Basketball Player of the Year. His lethal shooting and ball-handling make him a nightmare to defend.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe is the elder statesman of this team, and is still a valuable tool. His international career goes back to 2008, where he helped lead the “Redeem Team” to gold. Though he retired after winning a second gold in 2012, he hypothetically agreed to join the team. His involvement might be a victory lap, a la Bird and Magic in 1992, but he’d still provide something to the team.
Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs
Danny Green provides another deep threat, either off the bench or in the starting five. His defense and athleticism are both underrated, and he has evolved into a key asset on the Spurs. Green plays within his means and would do his job, hit timely shots, and make free throws down the stretch.
Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Oladipo is a rising star on the Orlando Magic, and is a versatile scorer who can stifle an opponent on defense. He played well in this year’s exhibition game, and is coming into his own. He can attack a defense off the dribble and then dish to shooters like Green and a few guys below on this list.
Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets
Another point guard who knows how to run a team is Lawson, who makes the squad as a pass-first distributor on offense. He can control an offense, and that is vital for the international game. With so many scorers on the team, he won’t be asked to do much except draw some defensive attention, and he is a one-man fast break with his speed.
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
The last guard on this list is another smaller point guard, who can run an offense and take over when he needs to. Lowry is tough as nails, and that is great for both sides of the ball. Though he’d likely be the third point guard on the team, he would still be a more than adequate backup.
Forwards
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant had his coming out party at the 2010 FIBA World Championships, and continued his success at the 2012 Olympics. He is an unstoppable force on offense, and can score from anywhere on the floor. He is unquestionably the best player on this team, and would be the focal point of the offense.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Another elder statesmen, Anthony has played on four Team USA squads, winning bronze at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Championships, and gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He has been described as the prototype international player, as he is big enough to play in the paint, but a deadly shooter and is quick enough to beat anyone off the dribble.
Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
Harris is a relative unknown on this team, but he is young and athletic. He can shoot from range and is big enough to play inside or match up against power forwards, sort of like Carmelo. Harris has proven the ability to hit clutch shots, as he has a number of game winners to his name.
Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings
Rudy Gay may not have played on any Olympic teams, but he won gold in 2010 and 2014 with the team at the World Championships. Gay is a big forward, and is powerful yet effective from the outside. Coming off the bench, he would provide solid defense and another scoring option on the wing.
Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
Faried may have had a down season in Denver, but the promise he showed at the 2014 FIBA World Cup means he has proven himself on the international team. His role would be energy and rebounding, something he excels at. He was one of the most important players on the 2014 team, and would be once again on this one.
Centers
Roy Hibbert, Los Angeles Lakers
Roy Hibbert was once a dominant big man for the Pacers, and though his production tailed off, he still is a big body and a presence inside. If he can regain his confidence and swagger, he could dominate the paint like he did a couple of seasons ago.
Just Missed the Cut
Tyreke Evans, J.R. Smith, Jeff Green
Make no mistake; Team Mid-Atlantic is one of the front-runners in this competition. With so many Team USA veterans aboard, this team knows what it takes to get it done. They have two of the best scorers in the NBA, and many young guns that are looking to break into Team USA. They certainly would be a difficult out. Stay tuned as we keep previewing the different regions to see which team would earn the right to represent Team USA.