USA vs. The World

The San Antonio Spurs have two of the best international
 players in the world with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

With more international players in the NBA than ever, Olympic basketball has never been better. Yes there are still blowouts (USA's 83 point massacre of Nigeria), but even the mighty team USA has had a close games with Lithuana and Argentina (only a one point lead at half, before blowing it open in the third).  LeBron James' triple-double against Australia gets team USA one step closer to the gold medal.  What if the best international players in the world all joined forces to form a team to rival team USA?  Could this international all star team defeat the Goliath Americans?


The Hypothetical International All-Star Team

1. Tony Parker, PG (France, San Antonio Spurs) - Tony Parker is one of the best point guards in the league and even got MVP consideration last year.  Won the 2007 NBA Finals MVP.  Just as good, if not better, than all the American point guards (Derron Williams, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook).

2. Manu Ginobili, SG (Argentina, San Antonio Spurs) - Fellow Spur Manu Ginobili needs to introduction.  He is the Argentinian version of Kobe Bryant.

3. Pau Gasol, PF (Spain, Los Angeles Lakers) - Pau is one of the best big men in the game today and will definitely give Team USA problems with his combination of size and mid-range game.

4. Luol Deng, SF (Great Britain, Chicago Bulls) - By far the best player on a lousy Great Britain team, Luol Deng is one of the most underrated players in the league.  Keep in mind that the Bulls won quite a few games without former MVP Derrick Rose, and Luol Deng was a big reason for that success.

5. Marc Gasol, C (Spain, Memphis Grizzlies) - The younger Gasol is even bigger than his brother.  Marc is one of the better centers in the NBA and would give Tyson Chandler all he could handle.

6. Serge Ibaka, PF (Spain, Oklahoma City Thunder) - One of the best young defensive players in the league.  Ibaka gives Spain a defensive presence as one of the best shot blockers in the world.

7. Anderson Varejao, C (Brazil, Cleveland Cavaliers) - Anderson Varejao is one of the hardest working players in the league.  "Wild Thing" gives 110% every trip down the floor.

8. Luis Scola, PF (Argentina, Pheonix Suns) - Scola's size and mid-range ability are a tailored fit for the international game.  He is essentially a "lite" version of Pau Gasol.

9. Nene, C (Brazil, Washington Wizards) - Between the Gasol brothers, Ibaka, Varejao, Scola and Nene; this international all star game would be a MUCH bigger squad than team USA.  I am very confident to say that this hypothetical international team would win the rebounding match up versus the Americans.

10. Leoandro Barbosa, SG (Brazil, Indiana Pacers) - Barbosa would provide a punch off the bench and has the ability to play both guard spots.

11. Andrei Kirilenko, SF (Russia, Minnesota Timberwolves) - Kirilenko will make his triumphant return the the NBA next season.  He is currently playing some of the best basketball of his career for the Russian national team.  Between Deng and Kirilenko, the international all star team would have two very good defenders to match up with the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

12. Jose Calderon, PG (Spain, Toronto Raptors) - Calderon would serve as the backup for Tony Parker on the international all star team.  He is a very competent point guard.

(dis)Honorable Mentions;

Nick Batum was left off the team because he decided to punch another grown man in the dick. 

Soon to be Toronto Raptors' rookie Jonas Valanciunas contests reigning MVP LeBron James.

Jonas Valanciunas has gotten limited minutes in the Olympics, but has a VERY high ceiling.  Raptors fans all over Canada are licking their lips at the thought of an Andrea Bargnani/Jonas Valanciunas front court.

Could this team possibly defeat team USA?  Their strength in size would certainly be able to exploit team USA's biggest weaknesses.  We will never know who would win, but it is fun to speculate.