As in O.J.‘s skills, namely isolation scoring, aren’t really what you want from a 9-12th man on your team. You’d rather have someone who can jump in and hit a corner 3 who isn’t going to try to create.

Like you wouldn’t want Ben Gordon as your 12th man, even if he can score a bunch. It’s just not a good fit because you’re not maximizing what they do well by playing them with 4 other players who are ahead of them in the pecking order.

But that’s exactly the point. That one dimension (just hitting open three’s and playing defense) is what you want from a 9-12th man.

I did watch the game, obviously, it’s stupid to even throw that accusation out there. The problem is that you’re acting like they made their picks for Team USA based on this game. That’s simply not the case.

O.J. Mayo’s resume indicates that he is an isolation scorer, a below average defender because of his size, and a high-volume shooter. These are not characteristics that are good for a deep bench player. It doesn’t matter whether Mayo actually was these things or not during a single scrimmage, because he has a rap sheet of being those things.

And as far as Durant not being an isolation player, you’re right that he’s no Carmelo Anthony, but he’s also not a spot shooter. In fact I’d argue he’s one of the most dynamic players in the league in terms of how he gets his buckets.

That’s not the point anyhow, because with a player as skilled as Durant, realistically those numbers are driven by the system. If he played in Memphis I’m sure his FGa% would be the exact same as Rudy Gay’s. But he is still THE MAN on this team. That means he will be creating his own shot at times and, as you mention, so will damn near every other player on the team. So why have the 11th man be trying to create for himself too?

REALLY? I’m not sure what it is that your trying to say. That Gordon, out of all the cars you can give, is Mazda and Mayo is a Porsche? REALLY? Because if so, that shows your heads DIRECTLY in the sand at this point, burried so deep in that the sun aint shining at all at your knowledge.

I still remember djturtleface comparison of Gordon and Mayo. To say that there is SUCH a GAP is not only a slap to the face, but an indication of your true knowledge to the game. So Mayo can create his shots better. Gordon drives more efficiently with his body frame. He outweights Mayo by 10 points and being an inch shorter. It’s not much, but its enough muscle to plow through lanes. Also who’s more known as the better shooter? Comon now. I believe Gordon is also a better defender, but then again I don’t want Mayo enough to make that assesment that you SEEM TO LIKE TO MAKE.

Comparing the two is more like Audi’s and BMW’s. But BOTH ARE AVERAGE SG’s. Audi and BMW are average cars. They’re luxuary cars, but their not the most expensive. That BIG dropoff you made shows the knowledge and clear bias you have.

And are you certain Westbrook would make it? Does it really make sense to have Rondo, Westbrook, and Rose on the same team? Especially in an international level where shooting becomes a VERY important factor. If you STILL believe it makes sense to have Rondo, Westbrook, and Rose on the same team, then yeah, no, your better off staying away from team assement talks. Its not to argue that Westbrook won’t make the team, but he’s not as stable as you think.