My point was, it’s glaringly obvious that Kidd has lost several steps and just isn’t a top-tier point guard anymore. It’s more a comment about the next NBA season than it is about the Olympics.

Yes, Paul, Williams, Nash, Baron, Parker, Billups, Calderon, Arenas, and Miller are all better than Jason Kidd. But you did not answer my question. Who would you replace Kidd with on Team USA?

From your list, only Baron, Billups, Arenas and Miller are Team USA options. Billups pulled out of the Olympics for ‘personal reasons’. Arenas isn’t even a true point guard (plus his me-first attitude would never fly for Team USA), so that just leaves Miller and Baron…

would you honestly rather have had one of those two players and their skillsets over everything Kidd brings to the table? (or any other NBA PG?)

Despite your paragraph above, I still don’t think you are giving Kidd any credit to the influence he might have had on the team in the locker-room and by helping to QB this Team USA. If your biggest beef is that he is NOT an ‘all-star level guy, or really anywhere near that level’, then why even mention it? This is Team USA. All-star appearances mean NOTHING. We just needed to put the best team on the floor to win…which we did. I wouldn’t trade Kidd for anyone during this Olympic run…not even a healthy ‘Big Shot’ Billups.

thanks for reading.

I meant OLYMPICS…not playoffs….

haha. where is my mind.

I thought Deron Williams played very well actually. He was also instrumental in Team USA’s run in the 4th quarter against Spain.

–what part of the 4th quarter are you talking about? Like how he ended the 3rd quarter getting burned by Rudy F. for a layup, then opened the 4th quarter by missing a wide-open layup and yet ANOTHER missed wide-open three a bit later? Throughout the entire playoffs, Deron (and to a lesser extent, Paul and Kobe early-on) kept missing those wide open threes until it got to a point that I cringed each time they were left open on the 3.

No…I know exactly what you are referring to. You are ONLY referring to that 3-pointer he hit in the final 5 minutes…which YES, was very huge, but it doesnt mean he didnt play terrible for the REST of the game, or for the rest of the Olympics, for that matter.

Hoff – The funny thing is, Rubio makes some truly spectacular plays, and he has better highlight reels than most NBA players. His combination of flash and composure is a rare thing. I really don’t see how anyone can think he’s not the number one pick whenever he enters the draft.

I thought Deron Williams played very well actually. He was also instrumental in Team USA’s run in the 4th quarter against Spain.

But I agree that it’s a little premature to be closing the door on J. Kidd. Let’s see how he plays this season.

I agree with everything you wrote.

Rubio isn’t a highlight reel player, but he has a great feel for the game. He made a lot of passes that you don’t see very often. He’s going to be a phenomenal pro. But like you said, his shot is going to have to be completely retooled.

No one will ever touch the Dream Team. Like Coach K and Colangelo have stated, it was a different time. But this team carved out a nice place of their own.

I know that I was much more emotionally invested in this squad.

I disagree about Jason Kidd. He still has some left in the tank and his court vision and savvy were essential to the success of this Team USA. Not too mention who knows what ever gets said in those locker rooms…but Kidd has NEVER lost a single game while representing Team USA and he was the oldest member of the team. I wouldn’t trade that leadership for any talented, young up-and-coming PG I can think of. (what PG would YOU replace him with??) You were also hard-pressed to see Kidd gamble on defense – something that Deron Williams and Chris Paul did a bit too much…

not too mention Deron Williams played absolutely horrible during these Olympics…on both sides of the court.

A few shots from this game and the Olympics as a whole.

- Kobe made the big plays at the end (that 4-point play effectively ended the game), but DWade was the stud of the game. His hitting from behind the arc so effectively was huge, and he carried Team USA for stretches.

- It’s a shame Navarro ended up in Memphis and is heading back to Europe. He could be a real quality bench player in the league. He’s got a runner in the lane that is extremely good, and he really stepped up with Calderon out.

- Memo to the league: Rudy Fernandez is really good. If you don’t believe me, ask Dwight Howard.

- I have been extremely impressed with the poise of 17 year-old Ricky Rubio in Spain’s two games against the USA (and the bit of the Lithuania game I saw). Especially this game, on the biggest stage in the world and replacing Calderon in the starting lineup. In 28 minutes against relentless pressure defense, Rubio only turned the ball over twice. He still has plenty to improve on, like his shooting stroke and his ability to finish around the rim, but his ball-handling, court vision, creativity, and unnatural poise for his age are extremely impressive.

- You’re not going to find a lot of other guys with better hands than Pau Gasol. Be it tips at the rim or alley-oops in traffic, he does a great job finding the ball in the air and controlling it.

- For all his raw talent, Dwight Howard is not a good fit in international play. Chris Bosh, on the other hand, is very, very good.

- I know everybody loves Jason Kidd and how he’s the old veteran on this team and how he’s an all-time great point guard and all, but can we start admitting that he’s a bit washed up at this point? It was pretty obvious last year before Dallas traded for him, it was really obvious after he went to the Mavs, and it’s been glaringly obvious at the Olympics that he just isn’t close to the level of Paul and Williams.