[McDunkin]

 USA Basketball is set to name 19 players who make up the preliminary roster for the 2012 Olympics. The group will gather for a short training camp, with the final 12-player roster submitted in mid-June.

According to SheridanHoops, this is the preliminary roster of 19:

LaMarcus Aldridge
Carmelo Anthony
Chauncey Billups
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Durant
Eric Gordon
Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard
Andre Iguodala
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Lamar Odom
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose
Dwyane Wade
Russell Westbrook
Deron Williams

Read more:http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218193/Report_Team_USA_Preliminary_Roster_Set#ixzz1j8vackh5

[d-ravParticipant]

Using the USA 08′ Olympic roster as the basis for my selection,  below could be how the ’12 roster may look like;

PG: Paul/ Rose/ Deron

SG: Kobe/ Wade/ Gordon (assumes Redd’s role as specialist shooter)

SF: Lebron/ Iguodala (assumes Tayshaun’s role as versatile defender)

PF: Durant/ Melo

C: Howard/ Aldridge (assumes Bosh’s role as backup big)

*Love, Griffin and Chandler stiff to miss out. If one of them was to go in (in my opinion Love as his game is more suited for the international style than the 2 with his abiity to play as a stretch big; a MUST in international ball), they’d take one of EG’s or Dre’s spot as specialist players. 

08′ roster was;

PG: Kidd/ Paul/ Deron

SG: Kobe/ Wade/ Redd

SF: Lebron/ Prince

PF: Melo/ Boozer

C: Howard/ Bosh

[joecheck88Participant]

LaMarcus Aldridge – C
Carmelo Anthony – PF/SF
Chauncey Billups
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Durant – SF/PF
Eric Gordon – SG
Blake Griffin – PF/C
Dwight Howard  C                                                                                                                                            Andre Iguodala
LeBron James – SF/PF
Kevin Love – PF/C
Lamar Odom
Chris Paul – PG
Derrick Rose – PG/SG
Dwyane Wade – SG
Russell Westbrook
Deron Williams – PG/SG

 

This is how I think the team will look. I think Kobe & Billups don’t play because of age and injury(Kobe). Lamar Odom & Chris Bosh are left off because we have a bunch of guys that do the same things already. We have one big guy that can only rebound & block shots in Dwight Howard, we don’t need another in Chandler. Russell Westbrook doesn’t shoot well enough for the International game. No room for Iguodala as a defender/energy player. Most of these guys can play multiple position in Internation competition. Our lineup:

PG – Chris Paul/Rose/Williams

SG- Dwayne Wade/Gordon/Williams

SF- Kevin Durant/James

PF- Carmelo Anthony/Griffin/Love

C- Dwight Howard/Aldridge

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’d be surprised if Kobe Bryant sat out lol.

IF we’ve learned anything about him, it’s that he doesn’t let injuries force him out often. And it’s not like he’ll be playing big minutes. With his career coming to an end in the next few seasons, I don’t think he’ll miss this opportunity to play in the Olympics.

I can’t wait to watch the practices and scrimages though.

[joecheck88Participant]

I fell ya. Kobe always like that competition. I just really think he could use the time off. If Kobe does play I think Griffin won’t make it. Not enough shooting for the International game. It is really tough though. All of these guys can play.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

The competition at that four spot is serious.

We all know Melo plays four in the olympics. And then you have Bosh, who played GREAT in 2008 as a four/five. Then there’s Odom who played well as a four/five the summer before last. Then throw in Aldridge, Griffin and Love too… Wow.

Personally, I don’t think Griffin or Love makes it. Defense is a big part of USA basketball, plus Coach K likes four men who can slide over and play center (defend pick and roll/pop) plus spread floor with shooting. Griffin jumper is inconsistent and Love can’t defend.

Paul/Rose/Williams – Should be interesting battle because Rose has taken a big jump this season in terms of creating and will look to start. Westbrook will battle Williams for that spot and is a much more tenacious defender.

Kobe/Wade/Gordon

LeBron/Durant – Somebody has to come off the bench. Will be interesting to see if Durant can unseat Melo at the four because we all know LeBron is starting.

Melo/Bosh/Aldridge – I think Odom just misses cut… Tough pick though.

Howard – Team USA usually only keeps one center, so that leaves out Chandler.

 

 

[joecheck88Participant]

Any chance Iguodala makes it for his defense over a Bosh/Aldridge and Kevin Durant plays 4 almost exclusively ala Melo?

[Johnny Chill]

But these are the guys that make the final 12.

Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Durant
Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard
LeBron James
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose
Dwyane Wade
Deron Williams

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

You just gotta let him go, USA Basketball.  Just let him go…

[natedogggParticipant]

call me crazy but I honestly dont see Blake Griffin making the cut.

his game isnt suited as well to international play as the other pfs/c.

mainly aldridge, love and bosh.

[natedogggParticipant]

double post sorry *

[GrandmamaParticipant]

My 12 man team;

 

PG: Rose/Paul/Deron

 

SG: Wade/Kobe

 

SF: James/Durant/Carmelo

 

PF: Griffin/Aldridge

 

C: Howard/Bosh

[GrandmamaParticipant]

call me crazy but I honestly dont see Blake Griffin making the cut.

 

Yes, I will call you crazy.  He’s a top 15 player and in international play there isn’t goal tending when the ball is touched while on the rim.  That dude will tip dunk anything and everything on or around rim.

[natedogggParticipant]

cause international play is all about tip dunking.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Team USA should be ashamed not inviting Andrew Bynum.

 

[Author]

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