What if the NBA held a 3 on3 tournament with teams made up from current rosters? The NBA bloggers of SB Nation are picking their teams for this hypothetical tournament.
Aug 30, 2012 - FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, is toying with the idea of including 3 on 3 basketball as an Olympic event as soon as the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. We're all for more Olympic basketball, and would find a 3 on 3 tournament of NBA-level players fascinating. So fingers crossed that this actually happens.
The whole thing got us thinking around SB Nation -- who would win a 3 on 3 tournament among existing NBA rosters?
We asked SB Nation's NBA bloggers to submit their proposed 3 on 3 team for this hypothetical Hoop-it-Up. Once we've got all the teams in place, we'll be starting a single elimination tournament next week to pick the NBA 3 on 3 champions, so you've got that to look forward to.
But for now, let's look at the teams being discussed. Most of the rosters are set, and we'll be updating this list as the last ones come in.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Boston Celtics -- Rondo, Pierce, Garnett -- CelticsBlog
The Celtics submission -- Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett -- isn't surprising, but it is awfully good.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Toronto Raptors -- Bargnani, Ross, Lowry -- Raptors HQ
Raptors HQ chooses rookie Terrence Ross to join Andrea Bargnani and Kyle Lowry -- it's not exactly a ringing endorsement of DeMar DeRozan.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Philadelphia 76ers -- Holiday, Turner, Bynum -- Liberty Ballers
The Sixers have the classic 1, 3, 5 configuration with Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Andrew Bynum. You kind of have to give this team a chance, right? I mean, who in the Eastern Conference is going to handle Bynum in a half court 3 on 3 game?
NBA 3 on 3 -- Milwaukee Bucks -- Ellis, Mbah a Moute, Ilyasova -- Brew Hoop
None of the three Bucks that ended up on the team (Monta Ellis, Luc Mbah a Moute and Ersan Ilyasova) were locks, which speaks to some nice depth on the roster, but doesn't exactly instill fear in 3 on 3 opponents.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Cleveland Cavaliers -- Irving, Waiters, Varejao -- Fear the Sword
Dion Waiters becomes another in a string of rookies making the 3 on 3 field, joining last year's Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Chicago Bulls -- Rose, Deng, Noah -- Blog a Bull
Like the Celtics, the Bulls choice is pretty obvious with Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. No surprises, but that's a good team.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Atlanta Hawks -- Horford, Smith, Jenkins -- Peachtree Hoops
Peachtree Hoops goes with the perimeter shooting of rookie John Jenkins to complement bigs Al Horford and Josh Smith.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Indiana Pacers -- George, Granger, Stephenson -- Indy Cornrows
Tom Lewis from Indy Cornrows goes with the versatile wing approach, Paul George, Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Miami Heat -- James, Wade,, Bosh -- Hot Hot Hoops
Hot Hot Hoops obviously thinks this hypothetical 3 on 3 tournament is a fantastic idea. Do we need to explain why?
NBA 3 on 3 -- New York Knicks -- Anthony, Chandler, Shumpert -- Posting and Toasting
Seth decides against going all big and leaves Amare home, choosing Iman Shumpert to handle the ball for Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Orlando Magic -- Nelson, Afflalo, Ayon -- Orlando Pinstriped Post
Picking three Orlando Magic players for a three-on-three tournament was an exercise in frustration for Evan Dunlap, but he came up with Jameer Nelson, Arron Afflalo and Gustavo Ay?n.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Charlotte Bobcats -- Sessions, Kidd-Gilchrist, Mullens -- Rufus on Fire
The Bobcats weren't very good at 5 on 5 last year, and no surprise they don't look too strong for 3 on 3 either, with Ramon Sessions, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Byron Mullens.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Los Angeles Clippers -- Paul, Griffin, Odom -- Clips Nation
The question for the LAC is who best complements Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in a 3 on 3 tournament. How about the versatile Lamar Odom?
NBA 3 on 3 -- Memphis Grizzlies -- Gasol, Gay, Allen -- Straight Outta Vancouver
Straight Outta Vancouver eschews the super big lineup and leaves Zach Randolph at home, choosing to include defensive stopper Tony Allen with Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay. A bold strategy, let's see if it pays off.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Sacramento Kings -- Cousins, Evans, Thomas -- Sactown Royalty
Tom Ziller goes big (DeMarcus Cousins) and small (Isaiah Thomas) at the same time, with Tyreke Evans in between.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Phoenix Suns -- Dragic, Gortat, Dudley -- Bright Side Of The Sun
BSotS goes with Goran Dragic, Marcin Gortat and Jared Dudley -- is the best US born player on the Suns really Jared Dudley? That can't bode well.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Oklahoma City Thunder -- Durant, Westbrook, Collison -- Welcome to Loud City
The first real shock of the roster selection process, J.A. Sherman goes with Nick Collison to join Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, leaving Sixth Man of the Year James Harden and the best shot blocker in the league Serge Ibaka at home.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Houston Rockets -- Lin, Motiejunas, Lamb -- The Dream Shake
Tom Martin of the Dream Shake goes with not one but TWO rookies on his 3 on 3 team, with Donatas Motiejunas and Jeremy Lamb joining Jeremy Lin -- which raises the question, does ANYONE know what to expect from the Rockets this season?
NBA 3 on 3 -- Los Angeles Lakers -- Bryant, Nash, Howard -- Silver Screen and Roll
The Los Angeles Lakers threesome of Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash are a formidable trio that would do serious damage if an NBA 3 on 3 tournament ever came to fruition.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Minnesota Timberwolves -- Rubio, Kirilenko, Love -- Canis Hoopus
A 3 on 3 team of Ricky Rubio, Andrei Kirilenko and Kevin Love could be seriously good.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Golden State Warriors -- Curry, Thompson, Bogut -- Golden State Of Mind
If Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson get hot from deep, this Warriors 3 on 3 team could beat anyone, and Andrew Bogut ain't bad either.
NBA 3 on 3 -- San Antonio Spurs -- Parker, Ginobili, Duncan -- Pounding The Rock
Who will represent the Spurs in a mythical 3-on-3 tournament? Why the Big Three, of course.
NBA 3 on 3 -- Denver Nuggets -- Iguodala, Chandler, Gallinari -- Denver Stiffs
Denver Stiffs gives us a team where all three players -- Andre Iguodala, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari -- play the same position. Matchup problems galore, on both sides of the ball. Havoc!
NBA 3 on 3 -- Dallas Mavericks -- Nowitzki, Brand, West -- Mavs Moneyball
Dirk Nowitzki is an easy call, but Elton Brand and Delonte West are a little tougher.
NBA 3 on 3 -- New Orleans Hornets -- Gordon-Davis-Anderson -- At The Hive
At the Hive goes with Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson. Another rookie, but somehow I think this one is justified.
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