The 2002 Team USA has a different look to it. It is not as "long" as past teams, and lacks the big names of the original Dream Team. But make no mistake, this team is fully capable of carrying on the winning tradition that is expected of it.
Head coach George Karl and assistants Gregg Popovich, Mike Montgomery and Kelvin Sampson are no strangers to international competition and will have their 12-man roster of NBA players ready to be challenged by a strong field that thinks this is the year the reign of U.S. supremacy will end. No foreign team has seriously threatened the United States' position at the top of the international basketball heap since it included NBA players on its roster for the 1992 Olympic Games.
Karl and his staff have a team that can defend fullcourt, dominate the backboards, run the floor hard, finish on the break and shoot 3-pointers with accuracy. The coaches must, in the short practice time available, organize a game plan, decide on a starting lineup and establish a rotation of bench players. Working out a system of defense and devising an effective half-court offense against both man-to-man and zone defenses are their immediate concerns. They must also indoctrinate the team on the rules of international basketball -- which are somewhat different from the NBA's.
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2002 UNITED STATES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ROSTER
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Player
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Dr. Jack's scouting report
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| Allen |
Ray Allen
Position: Guard
Height: 6-5
Weight: 205
Born: 7/20/75
College: Connecticut
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A great 3-point shooter with a strong drive and finish ... Has a good handle for a 2-guard, too ... Not a strong defender, but his presence, along with the other high-percentage perimeter shooters, will be extremely valuable -- especially against opponents using zone defenses. |
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| Brand |
Elton Brand
Position: Forward
Height: 6-8
Weight: 265
Born: 3/11/79
College: Duke
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An undersized, bull-like big forward who rebounds well (11.6 per game in 2001-02) and scores effectively (19.4 points per game) around the basket and from 17 feet ... A dedicated team player, Brand plays with great energy, stays within the team structure and is sound fundamentally ... Will play the same game, whether he's a starter or bench player. |
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| Davis |
Antonio Davis
Position: Center
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Born: 10/31/68
College: UTEP
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Has a strong, physical game at both ends of the floor ... A good jump-shooter from 17 feet, he can also drive effectively to the basket ... Has a herky-jerky post game that gets him to the foul line where he shoots 82 percent ... Also an accurate passer who plays well in his team's offense ... A defensive battler and solid help defender, but isn't a volume shot-blocker.
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| Davis |
Baron Davis
Position: Guard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 223
Born: 4/13/79
College: UCLA
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Replaced the injured Jason Kidd ... Is a tough-defending, hard-driving point guard who rebounds well and has an effective post-up game .. An inconsistent shooter from the field (42 percent) and free-throw line (63 percent) and lacks Kidd's fine-tuned, play-making skills, but pushes the ball hard, makes his teammates run and is more of a scoring threat than Kidd ... Team USA must now rely on Davis and Andre Miller at the point. The ball will be in good hands.
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| Finley |
Michael Finley
Position: Guard
Height: 6-7
Weight: 215
Born: 3/6/73
College: Wisconsin
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Like Paul Pierce, he can play 2-guard or small forward ... Has a versatile offensive game, runs hard on the fast break and thrives on pressure situations ... Defends aggressively and gets his share of rebounds (about five a game). |
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| LaFrentz |
Raef LaFrentz
Positions: Forward/Center
Height: 6-11
Weight: 240
Born: 5/29/76
College: Kansas
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His best strengths are his ability to make 3-pointers and block shots (2.73) ... Has good mobility and is an adequate rebounder and passer, but a weak post-defender who's inclined to get in foul trouble ... His value is his 3-point shooting accuracy against either man-to-man or zone defenses and his ability to block shots in the basket area. |
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| Marion |
Shawn Marion
Position: Forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 215
Born: 5/7/78
College: UNLV
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Has Whippet-like speed and limitless stamina ... A great finisher on the break, he has improved his 3-point shooting each season and is an outstanding rebounder for his size. ... Has developed into a strong defender against perimeter players and will be a great asset to Team USA's pressing corps. |
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| Miller |
Andre Miller
Position: Guard
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200
Born: 3/19/76
College: Utah
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Will be Davis' backup at point guard ... Led the NBA in assists in 2001-02 with a 10.9 average for Cleveland and scored 16.5 points a game ... Although not a great perimeter shooter, he makes shots when they count the most -- either from the edges or on drives to the basket ... His playing time may be limited unless Karl finds a way to play him and Davis together. |
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| Miller |
Reggie Miller
Position: Guard
Height: 6-7
Weight: 190
Born: 9/24/65
College: UCLA
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One of the great clutch shooters of all time, Miller is a veteran of international competition ... Despite his age (36), he continues to post strong numbers, which escalated in the playoffs (from 16.5 points a game to 23.6) ... Has made a science of moving without the ball to get his shot ... A 90-percent, free-throw shooter ... Although known primarily for his offense, he's a relentless defender. |
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| O'Neal |
Jermaine O'Neal
Positions: Center/Forward
Height: 6-11
Weight: 230
Born: 10/13/78
College: Eau Claire (S.C.) HS
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Long and lean but with good strength and athleticism ... Has blossomed since coming to Indiana two years ago ... Has an effective back-to-the-basket post game, can drive to the hoop and has an adequate jumper from 15 feet ... Needs to improve on his ball-handling ... An intimidator on defense in the basket area and has become a good shot-blocker. |
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| Pierce |
Paul Pierce
Positions: Forward
Height: 6-6
Weight: 230
Born: 10/13/77
College: Kansas
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Possesses a complete arsenal of scoring weapons ... Has unlimited range, a strong drive and finish at the hoop and a hard-to-stop post game ... Makes his jumper right in the face of defenders and loves last-shot opportunities ... A good passer off the dribble, but needs to improve his decision-making when double-teamed ... Defends and rebounds aggressively and is a surprising shot-blocker ... Will be a high priority in Team USA's offense. |
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| Wallace |
Ben Wallace
Positions: Forward/Center
Height: 6-9
Weight: 240
Born: 9/10/74
College: Virginia Union
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A rebounding machine. Led the NBA last season with 13 per game ... A defensive presence who gives aggressive, help-side assistance ... Has no shooting touch (.436 on free throws), but finishes strong on putbacks and handoffs at the hoop to shoot .531 from the field ... An excellent team player who brings his full energy to the floor for every game. |
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Alternate
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Dr. Jack's scouting report
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| Collison |
Nick Collison
Position: Forward (alternate)
Height: 6-9
Weight: 250
Born: 10/26/80
College: Kansas
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A strong, banger-type of a big forward who has a bit of a low-post game on offense ... Has little chance of playing in this competition (even more than Jay Williams), but also has the opportunity for a profitable learning experience by practicing with the team. |
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| Williams |
Jay Williams
Position: Guard (alternate)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Born: 9/10/81
College: Duke
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A very good prospect who probably won't get a chance to suit up ... Very strong, penetrates well, makes good decisions with the ball, has good defensive habits and plays to win ... Has a great opportunity ahead of him to rouse the Bulls from the lethargy that has engulfed them since the breakup of their 1998 title team ... Will benefit greatly from practicing with Team USA. |
