A Look at Team USA Personnel

The original twenty players that USA Basketball announced as finalists for the men’s national team in January is quite a bit different than the 16 still eligible to make the final squad. Injuries have been the biggest factor. USA Basketball was going to announce the final roster on June 18. However, Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose were late withdrawals so USA received an extension to select the team this Saturday, July 7.

Here is a breakdown of who is still eligible, who may or may not play, and who will be missed due to injuries.

WHO IS CURRENTLY A FINALIST FOR THE 12 ROSTER SPOTS?

Guards
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Russell Westbrook
Eric Gordon
Andre Iguodala
James Harden

Forwards
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Durant
Rudy Gay
Blake Griffin
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Lamar Odom

Centers
Tyson Chandler
Anthony Davis

OUT OF THESE FINALISTS WHO STILL MAY NOT PARTICIPATE?
Anthony Davis– The recent #1 pick suffered a mild ankle sprain while working out for his new team, New Orleans, on Sunday. Davis won’t be able to participate in a workout with Team USA this week but still could be added to the team.

Blake Griffin – Griffin, another former #1 pick, injured his knee during the NBA playoffs and may or may not be ready.

WHO IS INJURED AND WITHDREW FROM CONSIDERATION?
LaMarcus Aldridge – Aldridge was an early withdrawal when he had hip surgery in April.

Chauncey Billups – Billups was an early withdrawal when he tore his ACL back in February.

Chris Bosh – Bosh is going to rest after playing with that strained oblique on the way to a NBA Championship.

Dwight Howard – Superman has been in the news more lately for his other drama than the Olympics but his April back surgery will sideline him from London.

Dwayne Wade – Wade will have surgery on his left knee, which looked like was bothering him throughout the playoffs.

Derrick Rose – Rose tore his ACL and MCL in the NBA Playoffs and will be out through most of the 2012-13 season.

WHAT DO ALL THE INJURIES MEAN TO TEAM USA?
They don’t help. It is obvious that the gap between the USA and the rest of the world closed tightly over the last decade or so. USA was able to recover the gold in Beijing in 2008 and also claimed the FIBA World Championship in 2010. I have a feeling some of these absences could hurt the USA’s chances. Consider these items:

- I believe Chauncey Billups’ absence is the most underrated out of everyone. I had a hunch he would have played the role that Jason Kidd played in 2008. Veteran leader. Could have likely started each game yet played very little. But his leadership will be missed.

- I am really disappointed Derrick Rose can’t play. He plays with some good players in Chicago. But I would pay to watch him play with guys like LeBron, KD, and Kobe. WOW! Very unfortunate. He would have helped but if there was one position Team USA could afford to lose a player it is point guard. They’re still pretty solid there.

- Chris Bosh has been in the national team program for a while. His ability as a big man to stretch the floor with his shooting ability in the international game will be missed.

- Wade was the leading scorer on the 2008 team. And his chemistry with James has only gotten better over the last two years.

- Howard was such a defensive presence in 2008. I do wonder how all of his recent drama would have affected his performance had he been able to play.

- With these injuries to Aldridge, Bosh, and Howard, and the possibility of Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin not being able to play the USA is left with little depth of true post guys.

SO WITH ALL OF THE INJURIES WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?
The good news is Team USA still has the best three, four, five, etc. players in the world on their team. And the lack of interior depth may not be so bad. LeBron and Carmelo showed how effective the USA could be with a small lineup in 2008. They are perfect 4-men in the international game. KD can probably be slotted in that category, as well. The versatility of the USA’s best players will be so vital to their gold medal chances.

Five players (James, Bryant, Williams, Paul, Anthony) expected to make the roster have won Olympic gold. And these five are expected to see a lot of playing time in London. The leadership of James and Bryant, in particular, is elite. Eight more players won gold in the 2010 World Championships. These guys have won!

So that is a breakdown of where the USA’s personnel stand as of now. Remember that the team is announced on Saturday. I’ll leave my predictions on Friday.

TOMORROW’S BLOG: Reviewing Beijing 2008