The US Men's National Basketball team recently announced their prospective roster for the 2012 Olympics. It's a list of twenty players from the 2008 Olympics "Redeem Team" and 2010's younger World Championship Team who expressed interest in playing in the 2012 Olympics, along with two more players shortlisted in order to bring it all to a nice round number. Before the Olympics, though, the roster has to be pared down to 12 roster players (and six alternates). If you're anything like me, you immediately started thinking about who was going to get cut! So, join me as I go through the roster of twenty and find out which 8 guys aren't quite good enough to make it on perhaps the most talented Olympic team ever (yeah- I said it- watch out Dream Team.)
The No Doubters:
Dwayne Wade: The best player on the Heat (but more on that in a little bit). One of the best defensive players in the league, as well. You're not leaving the best two guard in the world off the roster. As long as he stays healthy, he'll be on the team.
Kobe Bryant: If Kobe were one of the 20 people or so who read my blog, he'd probably be very angry at the part where I said Dwayne Wade was the best two guard in the league, and score fifty points in his game and make a snippy comment about it in the postgame presser. In his continued aping of Michael Jordan, Bryant has taken on Jordan's "intense motivation at tiny slights" act. Right now he's dropping close to 40 a game just to show he still can. Whatever the Germans did to his knees, it's working wonders. No way Bryant misses this one, likely his last chance at playing in the Olympics. (Wait for 2016 when he plays in Rio and, after a game, says, "Evan Dent! You said I wouldn't be here!").
LeBron James: The most physically gifted player in the game. He still has an issue to become too passive at the end of the game--his "Miami mindset"-- and settles for long jump shots instead of driving or posting up. Still, the guy is an athletic freak, the second best player on the Heat, and capable of taking over games when he gets his head right.
Dwight Howard: The best center in the world is going to be on your team, no question. Against a team like Spain, who have the Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka, Howard's size and interior presence will be key.
Chris Paul/Derrick Rose: You could give either of these guys the title of "best point guard in the NBA" right now. While I personally have Rose as the better player right now- his passing has improved immensely and he outgunned Paul already this season- you can't go wrong with having both on the floor. Paul is playing ridiculously well since his trade to the Clippers. He doesn't have the same quickness as he did before injuring his knee, but he's learned to play exceptionally without that speed. As for Rose, well, he might be the best pure driver in the game, and he's coming off an MVP season. No way he's not on the top six for this team. The battle between Paul and Rose for minutes during the Olympics will be fascinating to watch.
Kevin Durant: The best pure scorer in the game (although Carmelo Anthony is close). Durant can score from nearly anywhere on the floor and also has the freaky athleticism to play the four in case the US decides to play small.
Chris Bosh- There aren't very many natural power forwards on the roster, which makes Bosh a near lock for a spot. On a team like this, he'll be the fourth or fifth option on the floor at any time, which is a perfect role for him. Great pick and pop shooter who can also run the pick and roll.
Carmelo Anthony: A less versatile scorer than Durant, but fills the same role. He'll be playing valuable minutes off the bench, and can fill in the two or the three spot.
By my count, that's nine guys who should unquestionably on the team, which leaves three spots left on the main roster, guys who will fill important bench positions, creating a just as dangerous second unit. These are the guys who give Coach K versatility all over the court.
Rounding Out the Twelve
Tyson Chandler: When you absolutely, positively need a stop inside, you're bringing in Chandler. Imagine a defense with Howard and Chandler down low- it'll be nearly impossible to score inside, which will be valuable against a team like Spain.
LaMarcus Aldridge: He's quietly evolved into a near elite player in the NBA. With a paucity of true power forwards on the list, he should be in as Bosh's backup. His ruthlessly efficient jump shot should come in handy.
The last spot is tricky. I could make a compelling argument for about five players in this spot. I'm going with a gut feeling here on who should be the last guy- Andre Iguodala. Previously known for insane dunks, Iguodala has become one of the best defensive small forwards in the league. Plus, he can fill in for the two and three spot- versatility that offers depth as well. His role on this team should be in the same vein as Chandlers- a pure defensive stopper who can help a little on the other end. Add him to the Chandler-Howard lineup down low, and it's near impenetrable. On the 2008 roster, Tayshaun Prince filled nearly the same role- why not add this same type of player again?
Six Alternates: The Not Quite Ready for Primetime Players
Blake Griffin: As much as adding him to this team would make it the most exciting team ever, he still doesn't have the defensive skills or offensive retinue to warrant inclusion on the 12 man roster. 2016, though, he should be there.
Russell Westbrook: He may well get the last spot over Iguodala just to add more point guard depth. He is one of the top five point guards in the league athletically, but still struggles with knowing when to take over the game and when to defer and pass to his superstar teammate (and on a team like this, he'd have about four on the court at all times). Still, his rebounding prowess could get him on the 12 man roster. I like Iguodala better in that spot, but to each their own.
Kevin Love: The guy is a rebounding machine and has the ability to play the three or the four (and spread the floor with his three point shooting), but he's not that great a defender overall. With a talented crop of big men already on the roster, I wouldn't take him over Aldridge or Chandler. After Westbrook, he's the next most likely to be on the twelve man roster instead of my pick.
Deron Williams: If he wasn't playing so listlessly this season, he'd be in over Westbrook, but he's had major struggles this season and isn't playing up to his potential. Maybe he'll turn it on during the training camp, but right now he's nowhere near above an alternate. Also unfortunate for him is the emergence of Rose and Westbrook since 2008, when Williams was the 2nd/3rd point guard on the Olympic team.
Lamar Odom: He's a great versatility guy, and played exceptionally well at the World Championships. He's having similar problems to Williams though- he's in an extended funk since being traded. Besides, the 3/4 group on this roster is stacked; it'll be tough for him to get into the top twelve without an amazing training camp.
Eric Gordon: The best young two guard in the game, but, unfortunately has to compete against Hall of Famers in Wade and Bryant. Tough to see him on the team unless they really want two guard depth.
Stuck in No Man's Land between Cuts and Alternates
Rudy Gay: He's a great defender and a pretty good scorer, and you could certainly put him on the alternate squad based on that- but he seems to be a victim of the numbers game at this point. I see a cut for either Gordon or Gay, and Gay hasn't been quite himself since last season's injury.
The Easiest Decision to Make: Cut
Chauncey Billups: It's pretty hard to make a case for why Billups should be on this team. He's old, no longer the great three point shooter he was, and frequently stops the flow of the offense. He was good as a fill in for the World Championships, but this is the end of the line.
My final lineup:
Starters- Rose/Paul, Wade, James, Bosh, Howard.
Bench: Bryant (though he could start over Wade), Durant, Anthony, Aldridge, Chandler, Iguodala.
Alternates: Westbrook, Love, Griffin, Williams, Odom, Gordon
Cuts: Gay, Billups.
Small lineup: Rose/Paul, Wade, James, Durant, Howard (or even Bosh at center)
Defensive lineup: Rose/Paul, Iguodala, James, Chandler, Howard
Hell, the bench unit on this team- Rose/Paul, Bryant, Durant, Aldridge and Chandler- could probably win Gold. So I'd say the Dream Team is going to be given a run for its' money.
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