Beijing Olympics: Team USA Can Win Despite Lack of Frontcourt Depth

There really aren't enough big men who can really stop the opposition from driving the ball to the basket on them. With Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard being the only two players who can truly play the 5-spot, that may be a problem.

Of course Carlos Boozer will see time at the center position, but he is not a TRUE center. If they are playing a team that can run through the defense, there will be trouble. The Americans may have taken a risk by bringing opting to play more "small ball."

Defense will also be a problem for this team. Chris Paul is a guy who can force turnovers here and then, but he sometimes makes risky decisions by attempting to swipe the ball, and that may be his downfall.

If he doesn't come up with the steal, he gives the opposition an advantage on the floor when he's briefly out of the picture. I feel that the only players on the team who can play consistent defense are Bryant, Tayshaun Prince and
LeBron.

But other than Prince, there isn't really a true reliable defensive player that can come off of the bench and shut somebody down.

I do fear that even though Coach K says that this team won't be taking a lot of jump shots, the shortened three-point line will be a Christmas present for these guys. It's understandable that if you're open for the three, take it and make it.

But some of the players on this team have a knack for taking unnecessary shots. That may not be the type of problem that could cause this team to fall off, but it is one thing that Coach K will have to limit.

When you don't have a team full of spot up shooters, then they all shouldn't be spotting up and shooting. But when they were in Athens and were hit with that zone, they didn't have the shooters to break that down. But with most international teams playing zone on a team of stars, the addition of the shooters this year can kill that off.

Despite the flaws that this team may have, they have too many strengths this year to blow this thing. This year's team consists of smart and determined players with some of them looking to get revenge for their previous failures.

There may be a few close games that could scare the US team, but I don't see them allowing teams to run them over. There is a lot of pressure on them and they will be tested in these Olympics, but they have too many weapons to lose this thing.

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