Who Should Start for Team USA, Rose or Irving?

[Meticode]

Cast your vote here. I find it interesting almost 2/3 say Rose considering Irving has played much better. And a lot of people at least on ISH feel Rose shouldn't even be in the FIBA...

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/08/22/sheridan-will-rose-remain-starter-after-team-usa-gets-to-spain/

[Legends66NBA7]

Rose.

Seems like he'll win the poll too.

[Meticode]

Rose.

Seems like he'll win the poll too.
Why do you feel Rose should start? Just wondering everyone's opinion on that.

[Le Shaqtus]

Rose, better defender, I feel he'll break down defenses better too, he's still VERY fast.

[Meticode]

Rose, better defender, I feel he'll break down defenses better too, he's still VERY fast.
:rockon:

[Legends66NBA7]

Why do you feel Rose should start? Just wondering everyone's opinion on that.

He's the better player overall.

Irving would be good for shooting, but from what I've seen... it's better if he comes off the bench with the 2nd unit. He might be the designated scorer off the bench for them, unless they give someone else the green light like Gay, Cousins, or DeRozan. Besides, Irving and Curry would be pretty redundant if you started them both together.

[Milbuck]

Watching the game against Puerto Rico..Rose is just the better point guard, Irving is the better iso scorer. It was obvious during the game, beyond the stats..Rose has been a tenacious defender..while Irving has been surprisingly good there, he's not at that level. Rose's vision is also better, he is capable of running a smoother offense as a playmaker than Irving.

Irving was doing fine the first couple games..but that last one against Puerto Rico, he was doing a James Harden impression out there at times..taking contested shots, somewhat stifled ball movement, etc.

Regardless, he's a great shot creator that you need when you're putting out a lineup with few shot creators..which is why I think he should play the D-Wade role and be the primary option for the 2nd unit.

The only thing that shouldn't happen is starting Irving and Harden together..if Irving is starting, bring Harden off the bench to run with the 2nd unit. Way too much iso ball and weaker defense.

[Meticode]

He's the better player overall.
As of right now at this very time I'm going to disagree with this. Rose hasn't show anything offensively as far as being the better player? Is he faster? Yes. Is more athletic? Yes. Has he played better defense? Sure. But it hasn't translated well on the offensive side of the ball. The numbers show it...

Irving: 83 minutes; 45 points, 14-for-22 shooting (3-for-4 on 3s), 19 assists, 2 turnovers.
Rose: 52 minutes; 21 points, 7-for-12 shooting (1-for-3 on 3s), 7 assists, 7 turnovers.


Irving would be good for shooting, but from what I've seen... it's better if he comes off the bench with the 2nd unit. He might be the designated scorer off the bench for them, unless they give someone else the green light like Gay, Cousins, or DeRozan. Besides, Irving and Curry would be pretty redundant if you started them both together.
While I disagree with you on the topic above, I think you might be right on this and I do agree with this statement. In fact, Irving should come off the bench I feel now. Rose is the better defender, he should guard the better players who are obviously going to start.

[Le Shaqtus]

While I disagree with you on the topic above, I think you might be right on this and I do agree with this statement. In fact, Irving should come off the bench I feel now. Rose is the better defender, he should guard the better players who are obviously going to start.

This, Rose isn't going to be the main focal point of the offense, it'll be Davis or (unfortunately) Harden, so it's best to have the better defender on the opposing team's point guard in hopes of stifling offense, and at this point I think Rose is the better defender.

[noob cake]

As of right now at this very time I'm going to disagree with this. Rose hasn't show anything offensively as far as being the better player? Is he faster? Yes. Is more athletic? Yes. Has he played better defense? Sure. But it hasn't translated well on the offensive side of the ball. The numbers show it...

Irving: 83 minutes; 45 points, 14-for-22 shooting (3-for-4 on 3s), 19 assists, 2 turnovers.
Rose: 52 minutes; 21 points, 7-for-12 shooting (1-for-3 on 3s), 7 assists, 7 turnovers.


While I disagree with you on the topic above, I think you might be right on this and I do agree with this statement. In fact, Irving should come off the bench I feel now. Rose is the better defender, he should guard the better players who are obviously going to start.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvu-lPLIcAAb964.png

Irving is on a different planet in terms of on court impact. He has been playing very good defense. This Irving playing no defense thing is getting old, and was never really true. It was initially spread by Wall, Lillard fans exclusively despite both of them having a worse PPP on the defensive end according to synergy.

The starting 5 is very clear (which has also been confirmed by the ESPN article yesterday).

Davis
Faried
Harden
Curry
Irving

Some people just need to deal with the fact that Irving will be the second best point guard in the league this year, with CP3 being #1.

[JohnFreeman]

WHy do people hate Irving all of a sudden?

[Pointguard]

If Rose is healthy, his leadership would be the deciding factor. He's done it before and might be the only natural leader on the team. It means a lot when your team is new to each other. Kyrie would be considered unsteady because he didn't play that role with his own team when things went bad. His team play has yet to play out in the pro's. He's just young. Like Legends66 and Milbuck are saying, too much iso ball without balance will hurt the team. But Kyrie will have his day, for sure.

[noob cake]

If Rose is healthy, his leadership would be the deciding factor. He's done it before and might be the only natural leader on the team. It means a lot when your team is new to each other. Kyrie would be considered unsteady because he didn't play that role with his own team when things went bad. His team play has yet to play out in the pro's. He's just young. Like Legends66 and Milbuck are saying, too much iso ball without balance will hurt the team. But Kyrie will have his day, for sure.

Rose is just about the worst leader amount star players in the league. He is not Garnett. He is not Kobe. He is LeBron.

[nathanjizzle]

irving. let rose come off the bench.

[Pointguard]

WHy do people hate Irving all of a sudden?
People have been very fair here. I don't see any hate at all. He's definitely in the minor leagues for hate. Wait til he helps Lebron win a chip. You are going to be comatose, if something in this thread affected you.

[Cali Syndicate]

irving. let rose come off the bench.

I agree with this. Rose can play that dwade role like in 08.

I'm more looking forward to Anthony Davis dominating this tournament though.

[El Gato Negro]

Kryrie has clearly outplayed rose in fiba but as a cavs fan i hope rose starts and gets more minutes. less chance of uncle drew getting hurt the more minutes that go to rose.

[Dengness9]

Kryrie has clearly outplayed rose in fiba but as a cavs fan i hope rose starts and gets more minutes. less chance of uncle drew getting hurt the more minutes that go to rose.

I like both players chances but let's judge their performances in games that actually matter in the real tournament.

Rose and the coaching staff have clearly taken a cautious and smart route so far. If the Brazil game wasn't in Chicago he wouldn't have played so much. And these are all exhibition games, Brazil a good team but the other two complete garbage.

I'm gonna go ahead and assume Rose starts playing more aggressively come the Cup.

[SamuraiSWISH]

but as a cavs fan
You're not an America fan?

:facepalm

[RedBlackAttack]

I really don't care who starts, but I believe Irving has out-performed Rose thus far in the exhibition games. People can say they are meaningless, but that's really all we have to gauge how these players fit together so far. After all, this is a team and not just a hastily thrown together bunch of stars.

This isn't an All-Star team and shouldn't be treated like one. If Kyrie plays better with the 1s, he should be the guy on the floor. Seniority or conventional wisdom should have no place in deciding the matter. That's how a guy like Plumlee made the roster, after all.

For all this talk about Kyrie's "iso" ball, that just hasn't been the case. Kyrie has 19 assists against just two turnovers, has taken a mere 22 shots in 83 minutes over the course of the first four games and has the third highest +/- on the team. He's playing really well.


Rose has shown some amazing flashes, but if Kyrie were the one with 7 assists and 7 turnovers, he'd be getting skewered on here for it.

I'll understand if Rose is the choice. He's a damn good player, but it won't be based on what we've seen so far.

[Legends66NBA7]

I want to see Team USA start this lineup instead

Curry
Harden
Thompson
Faried
Davis

Bench unit

Rose
Irving
DeRozan
Gay or Cousins
Cousins or Drummond

[RedBlackAttack]

I want to see Team USA start this lineup instead

Curry
Harden
Thompson
Faried
Davis

Bench unit

Rose
Irving
DeRozan
Gay or Cousins
Cousins or Drummond
Don't like Curry and Harden together, tbh. In fact, I think Harden should be coming off the bench instead of getting the amount of burn that he has. I'm really concerned that his drives to the basket looking for contact/whistles will not work out well in the international setting.

I also like Curry off the ball. It's easier for him to spot up that way, spacing the floor. I'd personally like to see...

Irving
Curry
Thompson
Faried
Davis

Have Rose and Harden be the first two off the bench.

[El Gato Negro]

I really don't care who starts, but I believe Irving has out-performed Rose thus far in the exhibition games. People can say they are meaningless, but that's really all we have to gauge how these players fit together so far. After all, this is a team and not just a hastily thrown together bunch of stars.

This isn't an All-Star team and shouldn't be treated like one. If Kyrie plays better with the 1s, he should be the guy on the floor. Seniority or conventional wisdom should have no place in deciding the matter. That's how a guy like Plumlee made the roster, after all.

For all this talk about Kyrie's "iso" ball, that just hasn't been the case. Kyrie has 19 assists against just two turnovers, has taken a mere 22 shots in 83 minutes over the course of the first four games and has the third highest +/- on the team. He's playing really well.


Rose has shown some amazing flashes, but if Kyrie were the one with 7 assists and 7 turnovers, he'd be getting skewered on here for it.

I'll understand if Rose is the choice. He's a damn good player, but it won't be based on what we've seen so far.funny how that works lol. i wish kryrie would have just dropped out same time as KD. If uncle drew wants to play in this tourney he should be playing for Australia with delly.

[El Gato Negro]

I like both players chances but let's judge their performances in games that actually matter in the real tournament.

Rose and the coaching staff have clearly taken a cautious and smart route so far. If the Brazil game wasn't in Chicago he wouldn't have played so much. And these are all exhibition games, Brazil a good team but the other two complete garbage.

I'm gonna go ahead and assume Rose starts playing more aggressively come the Cup.
We can only judge them off what we have seen not what they can theoretically do.

[SamuraiSWISH]

If uncle drew wants to play in this tourney he should be playing for Australia with delly.
Why? He was an American born in Australia to American parents, and was raised in New Jersey. He's not Australian at all. He very briefly lived there, and it was temporary. He had the option to play for them, and chose US instead. With logical reason. Then look at Joakim Noah playing for France even though he never even lived there and is American. Born, and raised.

[JohnFreeman]

Why? He was an American born in Australia to American parents, and was raised in New Jersey. He's not Australian at all. He very briefly lived there, and it was temporary. He had the option to play for them, and chose US instead. With logical reason. Then look at Joakim Noah playing for France even though he never even lived there and is American. Born, and raised.

NBA rookie of the year favourite Kyrie Irving says his heart is still with Australia and his decision not to play for the Boomers at the London Olympics was for his family, and to prolong his career.

Speaking before Cleveland Cavaliers' game in New Jersey, Irving told foxsports.com.au, "I'm still an Australian at heart, but it was just a family decision for me, and about my longevity in the game".

http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/basketball/kyrie-irving-says-hes-still-an-australian-at-heart-despite-decision-not-to-play-for-the-boomers-at-the-olympics/story-e6frf3f3-1226305635281?nk=0956c03303ca1fd50dbf1f1975022657

[imnew09]

Irving, let rose take it slowly to save some energy for the whole season and playoff

[SamuraiSWISH]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/basketball/kyrie-irving-says-hes-still-an-australian-at-heart-despite-decision-not-to-play-for-the-boomers-at-the-olympics/story-e6frf3f3-1226305635281?nk=0956c03303ca1fd50dbf1f1975022657
Why is he playing for Team USA then?

[El Gato Negro]

You're not an America fan?

:facepalm
Nothing against team usa but i would much rather him be working out with his cavalier teammates. atleast he would be with delly on the Australian team.

[ImKobe]

Rose

[BrownEye007]

I really don't care who starts, but I believe Irving has out-performed Rose thus far in the exhibition games. People can say they are meaningless, but that's really all we have to gauge how these players fit together so far. After all, this is a team and not just a hastily thrown together bunch of stars.

This isn't an All-Star team and shouldn't be treated like one. If Kyrie plays better with the 1s, he should be the guy on the floor. Seniority or conventional wisdom should have no place in deciding the matter. That's how a guy like Plumlee made the roster, after all.

For all this talk about Kyrie's "iso" ball, that just hasn't been the case. Kyrie has 19 assists against just two turnovers, has taken a mere 22 shots in 83 minutes over the course of the first four games and has the third highest +/- on the team. He's playing really well.


Rose has shown some amazing flashes, but if Kyrie were the one with 7 assists and 7 turnovers, he'd be getting skewered on here for it.

I'll understand if Rose is the choice. He's a damn good player, but it won't be based on what we've seen so far.This is incredibly true. There would probably be multiple threads about how people can't believe Kyrie made the team over Lillard.

[DukeDelonte13]

I really don't care who starts, but I believe Irving has out-performed Rose thus far in the exhibition games. People can say they are meaningless, but that's really all we have to gauge how these players fit together so far. After all, this is a team and not just a hastily thrown together bunch of stars.

This isn't an All-Star team and shouldn't be treated like one. If Kyrie plays better with the 1s, he should be the guy on the floor. Seniority or conventional wisdom should have no place in deciding the matter. That's how a guy like Plumlee made the roster, after all.

For all this talk about Kyrie's "iso" ball, that just hasn't been the case. Kyrie has 19 assists against just two turnovers, has taken a mere 22 shots in 83 minutes over the course of the first four games and has the third highest +/- on the team. He's playing really well.


Rose has shown some amazing flashes, but if Kyrie were the one with 7 assists and 7 turnovers, he'd be getting skewered on here for it.

I'll understand if Rose is the choice. He's a damn good player, but it won't be based on what we've seen so far.


Irving has looked better overall, Rose however has shown some incredible flashes.

Kyrie is playing some of the best bball of his career IMO, and i'm a little salty he wasn't playing this poised more consistently in Cleveland. He's playing his role the right way, and last year he played "the right way" every other game or so IMO.

I could honestly care less who starts though.

[gabepizza]

Irving because of Rose's knees he can't play as many minutes.

[chips93]

Irving because of Rose's knees he can't play as many minutes.

this

the team needs to build consistency, and rose is gonna miss some games

[Jlamb47]

Irving
Hes been playing great starting PG

[Meticode]

Not sure if it means anything about who's getting the starting spot or they're just giving Rose some extra rest so he can turn it on for full competition, but Irving is starting the last exhibition game.

[boozehound]

rose is the better player, especially defensively. They should start him if hes healthy. Irving, while good, has been massively overyhyped due to some clutch shooting.