After last week’s star-studded mini-camp in Las Vegas, the USA basketball officials are tasked with trimming their 34 camp invitees down to 12 players for the 2016 Olympics. The talent pool is so deep that if they named a B squad of the next best 12 players those guys not only would be favourites to win the Silver but they’d push the main USA team in a Gold final. Here is a look at how Jerry Colangelo and Mike Kryzyewski might build their roster.
Super Locks
There really are only ten sports up for grabs. Colangelo has said that LeBron James, if compelled to play, has a spot on the team and that Paul George was owed a spot after he broke his leg last summer in Las Vegas playing for the USA.
The Olympics Decision
James will be compelled to seriously consider playing because of his ties to USA basketball’s sponsor Nike and the chance to make history—along with good friend Carmelo Anthony—and become the only Americans to play basketball in four Olympics. Ultimately I think James and his super friends Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul are a package deal and you’ll either see them say goodbye to the international game together in Brazil, or bow out as one and give the new generation a chance. Still, James and George as confirmed locks which leaves 10 spots that will be split up equally between guards and forwards.
Backcourt (five players):
Steph Curry – Lock
Olympics bring great pressure and Curry is the most clutch player in the world. Chef Steph is the poster boy for the culture Colangelo is trying to build. In 2010, he was a role player on the World championship team. In 2012 he was cut from Olympic team, and last year he was a key piece on the World Cup team. As he continues to come back every summer, the competition has made him better and helped catapult him to emerge as NBA MVP last year. Coach Krzyzewski loves him and he very well could be one of the captains.
Russell Westbrook – Bubble
Westbrook makes the team as a combo guard over James Harden. The determining factor is he plays better defense, which will be needed beside point guards like Curry who can struggle defensively. Harden can’t play without the ball, which Westbrook is accustomed to playing with Kevin Durant. Westbrook is rewarded for his level of intensity as during stretches last year he was the most dominant player in the NBA. Plus, he can fill multiple roles— imagine him picking up full court as a backcourt defensive stopper?
Kyrie Irving – On the bubble
Irving was not only the MVP of the team last year, he is Coach K’s favourite son dating back from his lone season at Duke. What helps bolster his spot on this lineup is that he is a great shooter and can nullify the need to carry more shooting guards. If his fractured knee cap is healthy he should be heading to Rio.
Chris Paul – Packaged deal with LeBron
One of the best leaders in the game, Paul has a strong relationship with assistant coach Monty Williams dating back from their time in New Orleans. With a roster full of shooters you need a point man adept at getting them open looks and Paul is the best in the business at that.
Kevin Durant – Lock
His impending free agency and the health of his feet will loom over this decision. I would not be surprised if he is not on this roster, instead pulling a “LaMarcus Aldridge” and meeting with half the league as he weighs over where he’ll play next. If he is on the roster he’ll be the tallest spot-up shooter ever. What the team needs is spacing which is why I think he’ll play at the off guard spot and not down low. It is interesting to note in drills last week he was doing individual work with guards Paul and Westbrook— not any of the big men.
Front court (five players):
Carmelo Anthony – Packaged deal with Lebron James
Playing for USA definitely means something to Anthony, as we saw in 2004 when he was one of the youngest members of the team and helped his dejected teammates off the court after the USA lost to Argentina in the semifinals of the Athens Olympics. Anthony isn’t winning a championship in the NBA any time soon, so he will be motivated to keep his name in contention. He plays his best ball as a stretch 4 in international play, where all he has to do is catch and shoot, which should lead to more moments like his 37-point performance in just 14 minutes against Nigeria in 2012 while playing power forward.
Demarcus Cousins – On the bubble
Cousins is the protypical player who benefits from the USA basketball experience. He’s a young player who is established but would still find great value from the high level of coaching and the worldwide exposure. Boogie was the USA’s best big man last summer which went along way to changing his perception throughout the league.
Dwight Howard – On the bubble
It seems forever ago, but don’t forget that Dwight Howard was an integral part of the “Redeem team”. Howard has been out of the USA’s plans for the last couple summers because of health issues and free agency, but Jerry Colangelo values loyalty and it means something to him Howard has continued to come back to the program without hassle despite serious back and knee issues.
Anthony Davis – Lock
His new 5 year/$145 million deal means there will be no contract issues keeping him off of the team. Another banner example of a player who benefited from his association with the program, as they took him to the London Olympics straight out of college and, just a few years later, he’s among the best players in the league. Not only will he start for USA, but the team will likely run through him as his game, which lends itself perfectly to playing centre at the international level. USA assistant Tom Thibodeau missed out on the chance at coaching “The Brow” in New Orleans, but he will make sure the defensive anchor is on the squad for the trip to Brazil. Davis will be a transitional piece to carry the torch towards 2020 and beyond.
Blake Griffin – On the bubble
Griffin has limited international experience, as he always seemed to have an ill-timed injury in the summer. Nonetheless he has stayed committed to the program. It doesn’t hurt that his university coach at Oklahoma, Jeff Caple, is now Coach K’s assistant at Duke and helping out with the national team. You know he’s going to be banging the table for his former star.
Agree with Bennett’s list? What would your 12 man roster look like (assuming James and George are on the squad)? Let us know in the comments below.