The Case for Kirk Hinrich

Chris Sheridan writes about his prospects of making Team USA in future tournaments:

Supplanted Chris Paul as the starting point guard, but does anyone honestly believe he's the best point guard in America? If Billups plays next summer, he could get squeezed off the active roster -- especially if the team hierarchy believes it'll pay more long-term dividends to keep Paul on the active roster.

This strikes me as the wrong mentality. It doesn't especially matter whether or not Hinrich is "the best point guard in America?" Hinrich doesn't need to be a superstar on Team USA -- LeBron, Wade, and Anthony are there to do that job. Hinrich is certainly good enough in terms of his talent, doesn't make a ton of errors, plays in the NBA on a squad with good team defense, and most everyone feels he's an important part of that sound team defense. Chauncey Billups also fits that description, and he's a better player, so it makes a ton of sense to add him to the team. Chris Paul, though he's going to have a fantastic NBA career, doesn't really suit Team USA's needs. The team has relatively little need for additional levels of dynamic playmaking at the cost of experience and defense.

What's more, in a less serious vein, every Team USA needs to have at least one white dude and I'd much rather have that guy be Hinrich than Brad Miller. The other thing I note from Sheridan's article is that talk of recruiting Paul Pierce and/or Adam Morrison for the team really ought to consider that LBJ and 'Melo playing the same position is already a bit of a problem and the last thing USA needs is more small forwards (though I'd be happy to see the underrated Pierce get some love).

Comments

Plus, within the next few years he probably will be the best point guard in America. He's young and still getting better, plays excellent defense, and spends most of the year being coached by a guy who was himself an excellent and underrated PG. By the time the Olympics roll around, Billups is gonna be losing more than a step.

Posted by collin | September 5, 2006 10:28 AM

All irrelevant. LBJ is going to play the point.

Posted by Al | September 5, 2006 11:54 AM

You have to check out the apbrmetrics thread on team USA.

Here

Posted by crack | September 5, 2006 12:34 PM

matt

morrison and pierce, however, are much better outside shooters than either LBJ or Melo, so, they could still be a plus.

Given the goofy international lane, i think a team of 1 point and 4 swing-men could work pretty well.

joshb

Posted by joshb | September 5, 2006 1:15 PM

...every Team USA needs to have at least one white dude and I'd much rather have that guy be Hinrich than Brad Miller.

Isn't that the mentality that kept Barkley, Malone and Daugherty off the '84 team in favor of Joe Kleine, Jon Koncak and Steve Alford? What we need for '08 is less affirmative action, whether it benefits white players or stiffs from the Eastern Conference, and more outside shooting.

Posted by Steve Smith | September 5, 2006 1:41 PM

I wasn't saying I approved of the "team's gotta have whitey" rule, but that's clearly the rule, so we may as well pick our players within the established parameters.

Posted by Matthew Yglesias | September 5, 2006 1:48 PM

given that the USA had no answer for Baby Shaq's pick and roll moves, you need a big man who can handle that assignment. they obviouasly thought brad miller could handle it, which points up the paucity of good home grown big men in the league.

Posted by paperpusher | September 5, 2006 2:04 PM

What we clearly need is coach exchanges. The rest of the world needs to adopt more of our "I need so many touches a game to get in my groove" and "get me the ball so I can take advantage of my mismatch" selfish attitude and we need more of their teamwork.

Posted by Mark Garrity | September 5, 2006 10:56 PM

There's no true center in the mix. That's the real problem with the current roster. Why not bring in big-man Ben Wallace?

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