2012 considerations/locks from the worlds

While building the 2012 Olympic team will be a two-year process, and no one from either the 2008 Olympic gold medal team or the 2010 World Championship team should be just guaranteed a spot on the roster, these players from the “B” Team look like keepers.

Kevin Durant

The 22-year-old from the Oklahoma City Thunder was the tournament MVP and indisputably won the gold medal for Team USA.

His team leading 22.8 points per game does not fully reflect just how important Durant’s presence was.  In the no blood, no foul world of FIBA basketball, Durant was the one player that the tough European and South American defenses could not keep off the score sheet.

Whenever the USA was at risk of losing, Durant became the unstoppable force, the go-to-guy for the next basket, and opposing defenses had no answer for him.  Success for Team USA meant playing Durant for virtually the entire game.

In group play, Durant put up 27 points and 10 rebounds in the two point victory over Brazil.
 
In the quarterfinal game against Russia, Durant had 33 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, and in the semi-final victory over Lithuania, he came through with a 38 point, nine rebound effort.
 
Then against unbeaten Turkey in the gold medal game, he scored 28 points, had five rounds and two blocks.
 
In these key games against tough opponents, Durant averaged 38.3 minutes of the 40 minute FIBA rules game, and no other American player was able to score more than 15 points.

In two years from now at the 2012 Olympics, it is possible that Durant will be the best player on that team as well.

Russell Westbrook

At 21-years-old, Russell Westbrook might seem a little young to be seriously considered for the Olympic team, but Westbrook brought something that is crucial for success in international tournaments, defense.

The 6′ 3″ guard from the Thunder averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the tournament and his numbers improved as he earned more time from Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski.  In his final three games, Westbrook averaged 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

While his improving offensive production was important, it was Westbrook’s ability to challenge guards at the defensive end of the floor that earned him minutes.  Westbrook was an effective disruptive force who helped the USA keep opposing offenses off-balance and out-of-rhythm.   Of course there was also the obvious chemistry between Westbrook and Durant on full display.

The 2012 USA Team will have plenty of offensive options; to win they will need proven defenders at the international level.

Andre Iguodala

Don’t bother looking at the Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala’s stats at the 2010 World Championships in an attempt to learn what he brought to Team USA, instead listen to the in-game commentators describe his play.  Virtually every time Iguodala stepped on to the floor, there was a constant barrage of compliments about how effective he was on defense.

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In 2012, Team USA will have a glut of highly skilled wings and forwards to choose from, but Coach Krzyzewski knows that he’ll need defenders like Iguodala to win gold.

Future Considerations

The Clippers Eric Gordon showed he could be a scorer and an effective defender in international play.  2012 might be too soon if all the All-Stars come back, but it would not be a surprise to see Gordon at the 2014 World Championships in Spain.

The Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Love had trouble getting time on the floor, but when he played, Love was effective.  Love is another player who might be too young to make the 2012 team, but don’t be surprised if he starts to take on a larger role after that.

Derrick Rose’s future on Team USA seems dependant on whether or not other All-Star point guards decide to play in 2012 and his own ability to develop a jump shot.  Opportunities for isolation plays at FIBA tournaments are limited and despite some media reports to the contrary, Rose’s ability to hit the outside shot just isn’t there yet.  -HW