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| Team USA is different this year, and it's going to show the world a new kind of strength. |
This will probably be one of the more controversial, eyebrow raising, "what the f**k is this guy talking about" posts I've ever had, but so be it, I like this Team USA far more than I did 2008, and far more than I would had all the 18 invitees stayed active.
Point Guards
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Shooting Guards
Kobe Bryant
Russell Westbrook
James Harden
Small Forwards
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Andre Iguodala
Power Forwards
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Love
Blake Griffin
Center
Tyson Chandler
Obviously the 2012 rendition of Team USA has the classic big names you'd expect. LeBron headlines the list, just like LeBron headlines about every list in the NBA, but you also have Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul who are bonafide, Hollywood superstars and are even known by your uniformed girlfriend. These types of players have coursed through the veins of Team USA since they switched to a pro-Olympic format back in 1992. It's a staple of USA basketball, and probably always will be. But this year's version also lacks some big names, some names I'd rather not see on the USA roster. Not because I don't like them nor because I think their overrated, no that's not the case. More because winning basketball teams have working parts that fit seamlessly together to bring about a well-oiled machine(of course, the Heat kind of debunked that adage, but that's the exception to the rule). I understand that the pro game has been whittled down to mostly isolation play and a superstar heavy format, but this Team USA sort of breaks that trend.
I'll be first to say, I enjoy the fact that Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Derrick Rose do not appear on this roster. You're probably thinking, "what the hell is he talking about." Well you have to see my point about the strength, and this time around, the beauty of Team USA.
For one, Dwight Howard is the best center in the league, hands down. But I'm not sure he fits the scheme Coach K really wants. Yes, he is the most unguardable post-player we've seen since Shaq, but that's simply because of natural selection; the dude is a freak. But his defensive presence, which is what scouts slobber over, doesn't have the same team potential as Tyson Chandler's does. Howard doesn't control a defense, he simply overpowers his opponents through his out-of-this-world athleticism and size. I'm not taking away from his defense, I'm just taking away from his IQ, his basketball know-how. Of course, USA wouldn't miss a beat with him, but I think it will work a little more smoothly on the defensive end with Tyson Chandler calling the shots.
Secondly, and this is probably were I'll get a lot of heat(ironic), I'm not so sure of Chris Bosh's and Dwyane Wade's spots on this team. Both of these two have taken a step back since they teamed up with LeBron James two years ago. Bosh has degressed, but I think that's more out of a mental state than anything. In plain English, he doesn't believe he's required to do as much now, and he's right. Wade, on the other hand, isn't the same player and you cannot deny that. The wear-and-tear on the 30-year-old's body has reared its ugly head several times, especially in this postseason. No longer can Wade hit the hole like a bat out of hell and think he's going to survive a full season. He has to pick his spots, which triggers hesitation, which results in a step-back for his game. His jump shot isn't as deadly and like Bosh, he's succumbed to LeBron's all-out greatness. There isn't much room for Bosh at the PF position as well. Kevin Love should probably start because he's going to give you the best all-around minutes, but I also think Bosh is behind Carmelo Anthony as well, because Anthony is deadly in the post and creates an epic mismatch for any true power forward. Despite Blake Griffin's lack of offense and over desire to produce highlights, I still think even he is more valuable than the Heat power forward. In Wade's case, I see this newly rejuvenated Kobe Bryant remaining the starter at the shooting guard position, and if Coach K wants to be truly dynamic he could put Russell Westbrook at shooting guard. Think about the different attacking style that Westbrook can bring; he attacks the hole like a slasher, but can make the sort of drive-and-kick plays that are required out of a point guard. That gives Team USA the option of basically having two point guards out there if needed.
Finally, we have Derrick Rose. I absolutely love D-Rose's game. I think he is the best guard in the league at attacking the hole and his defense is solid. But, I'm not sure he's needed on this team. Think about it for a second, Westbrook and Rose are almost identical players, but Westbrook has shown he can do it at a higher level on a greater stage. Their motors are similarly relentless, but we saw Russ grow up to heights we didn't think imaginable in the finals, and I think his ceiling has somehow been raised to a new point.
I'm not entirely saying that Team USA is better off without these four guys, but it's quite a beautiful thing to realize these guys aren't really needed for USA to dominate this tournament. The matchups are still seriously in the US's favor. How can the world guard this four-year better, four-year stronger, four-year smarter LeBron James? Can they stop a unique post player in Carmelo Anthony, who's far too quick for any true big man? What about Kevin Durant? Who's going to deny him his supreme length and athleticism? The pieces fit all too well here. Deron Williams and Chris Paul are going to run the show, Tyson Chandler is going to bang down low, and Kevin Love will do about everything needed on the glass. You could go as far as to say that each one of these pegs are flexible enough to fit into multiple holes.
America's strength may be in its depth, but it's really in its versatility. Coach K has so many different sets and looks to put out there, that it will be seemingly impossible for any international squad to break the US down. I'm looking forward to watching different guys than Wade, Bosh and Howard out there repping the red, white, and blue. In 2012, which may be the NBA's last stint in the Olympics, we'll see the true strength of USA basketball and it will be quite a sight to see.
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