The London Olympics are still over a year away, but with the ridiculous amount of talent in the NBA right now, and rising interest in representing Team USA, it sure will be interesting to see which 12 players get selected. Most, if not all players will come from the 2008 Olympic roster and the 2010 World Championship roster.
Let's Review:
Team USA Beijing Olympics Roster (2008)
Anthony
Boozer
Bosh
Bryant
Howard
James
Kidd
Paul
Prince
Redd
Wade
Williams
The gimmes: 'Melo, LeBron, Howard, and Wade (of course barring injury or ego). Kobe is likely but depending on his mileage at that time, he may just not have enough gas. Bosh/Boozer...hard to say. Maybe one, but probably not both. Paul/D. Williams, again maybe both, but with the incredible amount of talent at PG right now, hard to say, at least one. Redd, Prince, Kidd...no chance.
Team USA World Championship Roster (2010)
Billups
Chander
S. Curry
Durant
Gay
Gordon
Granger
Iguodala
Love
Odom
Rose
Westbrook
gimmes: Durant, Rose (I think).
in the hunt: Westbrook, Gay, Gordon, Curry, Odom (gotta factor in his versatility)
unlikely: Love, Iguodala, Granger, Chandler,
no chance: Billups
Then we have some other possibilities:
John Wall, Blake Griffin, Joe Johnson, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rondo, Ray Allen
Here's my guess as of February 2011:
Dwight Howard - best center, not even close
Blake Griffin
LaMarcus Aldridge - skilled big man, stepping in for Amare
Carmelo Anthony
Lebron James
Kevin Durant
Kobe Bryant
Dywane Wade
Eric Gordon
Derrick Rose
Russell Westbrook - can play a little SG also
Derron Williams
Point Guard is going to be the toughest call. I don't know how you decide between Rose, Williams, Westbrook and Paul. You definitely can't take all 4. Deciding on 2 between Bosh, Griffin, and Aldridge? I think Bosh is left out b/c he bailed on the 2010 world championships for no reason other than to enhance the myth that he's in the same league as James and Wade. The 12th spot will go to a shooting specialist: Eric Gordon? Steph Curry? Joe Johnson? Which 2 start among LeBron, 'Melo, and Durant?
notable omissions:
Amare - scared to play due to injury history
Paul - ditto
Rondo - possible selection only b/c of his Euro-esque soccer flops
Here is my 12 for the roster
ReplyDeletePGs are Paul, Williams, and Rose
SG/SFs are Durant, LeBron, Wade, Melo, Gordon
PF/Cs are Howard, Griffin, Love, Odom
I leave off Kobe as I think he will cede to the younger generation. Plus I dont think he wants that extra mileage at his age. Obviously if he wants in I think they can find a spot for him. I think the locks are the three PGs, LeBron, Melo, Durant, Wade, and Howard. That is 8. Then you add some big men in Love and Griffin. finally I add mr versatile Odom and a shooter in Eric Gordon. the last couple guys have to be somewhat knowing going in that they may not play like in 2008 a la Boozer, Prince, and really Kidd who mainly started and the left the rest for Williams and Paul. So Griffin being so young could be that guy plus Odom and Love. I think most of the time the USA can get away with having LeBron or Durant play PF given the rest of the team makeup. Plus Gordon would also be one of those guys who would only play if really necessary. So you can play the 8 or 9 regulars and still play the backups if necessary and not have major chemistry issues. What say you Jacover?
I think Aldridge would bring enough to the table to warrant a spot, likely in place of Odom or Love. I think Kobe would want in so he can have one more thing to put on his resume that will inevitably be compared to Jordan's forever. Yes, I think Kobe thinks about that every waking hour. Is Calbert Cheney available?
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