My Predictions for Team USA...Don't take them to Vegas

Earlier in the week I went over the finalists for Team USA. The team will be announced Saturday night on NBA TV. Once again, finalists by position include:

Guards - Kobe Bryant, Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, James Harden

Forwards - Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Anthony Davis

Centers - Tyson Chandler

Nine of these finalists are considered locks.

Kobe, CP3, Deron Williams, Carmelo, and LeBron are all returnees from the 2008 Beijing team.

Kevin Durant averaged nearly 23 points per game in the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, and Tyson Chandler all played on that 2010 gold-medal team, as well.

Westbrook has certainly become an elite talent. Love may be the best power forward in the world. And Chandler certainly provides an athletic, interior defensive presence. For Love and Chandler, the lack of depth inside makes them even more important to the roster.

It has also been speculated that Blake Griffin will make the roster.

That gives Team USA a depth chart that looks something like this:

PG – C Paul, R Westbrook, D Williams
SG – K Bryant
SF – C Anthony, K Durant, L James
PF – K Love, B Griffin
C – T Chandler

It is believed that Gordon, Harden, Gay, Iguodala, and Davis are vying for the final two roster spots.

When looking at the roster Anthony, Durant, and James are so versatile the Team USA coaching staff has some flexibility. Each of them can play three positions. LeBron could even run the point if needed.

The only true need for this team is possibly another big. For that reason, I would think Anthony Davis has a great chance of making the roster if the coaches feel his ankle will be healed in time for London.

If that is the case the last roster spot will come down to Gay, Gordon, Harden, and Iguodala, All of these except Harden were on the national team in 2010. I like the energy that Harden provides but I have a hunch his lack of international experience may hurt his chances.

I think Andre Iguodala gets the last spot. He is a good defender and is a pretty good offensive player, as well. That combination can make Iguodala a nice option off the bench.

If Anthony Davis ends up not being able to play I think Rudy Gay’s 6’8” length gives him an advantage over the rest.

I love Eric Gordon but EG is a little inconsistent as a shooter. And his ability to attack the basket is a strength of nearly every wing on the roster. He’s a guy that needs the ball in his hands a lot to create. I don’t think that would happen on this team.

These are just predictions. Don’t hold me to them.