U.S.A. Men's Basketball Team: International Basketball Changes

Lately people have been complaining about basketball. David Stern is no more the head of the world dominate NBA. Adam Silver has shifted over and now is responsible for the new generation of basketball that people aren't too happy about but look forward to the next wave. The legendary 2003 draft class are entering their so-called down years and people want to know what's next.

I believe international basketball in a large way can help this situation if they pay attention to the marketing power that it has. I'm not sure if the NBA takes this serious or not but they need to work hand and hand and get some things established in order to work on focusing on the next generation of leaders in the NBA.

FIBA World Cup Basketball for 2014 is coming up from Aug. 30th to Sept. 4. The final stage of this tournament will be Sept. 6th-14th. This year it will be held in Spain for the first time and seems to be a huge advantage for the hometown Spain team who features Pau and Marc Gasol. They have been known for years to huge pieces to the puzzle with them winning and when healthy, they are able to lift their team to a compete for a championship.

Now lately, there has been some different news that have broken to the public that is a little upsetting to USA Men's Basketball Team fans. People normally get ready for these things with the expectations that they will be on full tilt but this year besides Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, there will be no other superstars on the FIBA team. The question is... Is it time to move the USA Men's Team in a different direction.

I think so... The NBAP Union just made a huge announcement this week and I believe Silver has really been making some really good power moves to put things in position and ideas out, such as changing the age limit to enter the draft. I believe that if the NBA took the opportunity to change the USA Team in anyway, they should change the nature of how the select players. There should be stipulations and rules.

Here's my reasoning... First... We already dominate other countries by huge margins when he play them with our elite players. I don't think putting wear and tear on our superstars is the greatest idea anymore in this era. Their focus should be the NBA season and that alone. They can support in a different way, including if they would like to get a head start on coaching and join as a staff member. Second... International Basketball is getting stronger in so many countries, but even with saying that, it's not necessarily going to help the league leap to where would like to see it if we continue to focus our energy on those who have made their mark. This leads into my Third idea... Let's lower the age and pro year limit to focus out energy on globally marketing the athletes that are coming in. It's bad enough our draft is getting criticized for the players that are being brought in. We have some special talent but we can't continue to dominate the league talk with those names that are passing their mid-points of their careers.

So I suggest a under 25 years old and 5 years pro level. This would leave us with this...

PG: Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, John Wall
SG: Klay Thompson, Dion Waiters
SF: Paul George, Gordan Hayward
PF: Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried
C: Demarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Mason Plumlee

Last Thought: I know people might be asking about Brad Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Harrison Barnes, Michael Carter-Williams. However you play with it is your prerogative. I'm just giving what I think the team could/would be.