The 2012 Olympics are coming fast and furious. Not as fast and furious as this NBA regular season is coming. But Brian Colangelo, Mike Krzyzewski and the NBA players selected are going to have to be ready for a quick turnaround when Olympic training camps open up in July for the early-August Olympiad in London.
Before the team can begin the quest for a second consecutive Olympic gold medal and a third straight gold at a major international competition, the team has to be selected. The players receiving invites to the Olympic training camp and the pool that the Olympic team will be drawn from will be officially announced by January 18.
ESPN reports that the team will be comprised of players from the 2008 Olympic team and the 2010 gold-medal-winning World Championship team. Four players from those teams are rumored to be off the list — Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd and Jason Kidd. Age has something to do with it as does the group of promising young players that shined in Turkey during the World Championships.
Here is a look at who is likely to be in the roster pool, based on the previous national team rosters:
The Redeem Team
LeBron James – arguably the best player in the league and can be a playmaker and defensive linchpin under Coach K
Deron Williams – showed how strong he can be in the international game in stint with Besiktas
Dwyane Wade – was a great defender in 2008, but has a propensity to travel in the stricter international game
Kobe Bryant – heart and soul of the 2008 team and anchored the defensive end and played Alpha Dog in the final moments against Spain … will he be healthy enough and have the willingness to play again?
Dwight Howard – most dominant big man, but does he want to play high-level competition during his free agent year? a true post like Howard is not as effective in the international game
Chris Bosh – at least he knows how to play third banana, but is he tough enough to guard the best centers in the nation
Chris Paul – the perfect point guard to lead a fast-paced offense
Carmelo Anthony – surprisingly versatile and effective in the international game… honestly might have been the most consistent player on the 2008 Olympic team
The B Team
Chauncey Billups – veteran point guard with a lot of savvy that served the young team well… but getting up there in age too
Kevin Durant – was the MVP of the 2010 World Championships and the guy will just play no matter when or where
Derrick Rose – was the MVP of the 2011 season … lack of jumper might hurt in the international game
Russell Westbrook – versatile guard that has a lot of upside still, but attitude issues could hold him back on a superstar team
Rudy Gay – versatile forward that can score and defend, but now he is coming off of an injury
Eric Gordon – great shooter who is poised for a breakout with more playing time in New Orleans… if it weren’t for that injury
Andre Iguodala – strong defender and decent scorer, but really made his name as the team’s defensive stopper
Danny Granger – really struggled in Turkey, but could be another good defender
Stephen Curry – might be the strongest shooter eligible for the team… ankle injuries cutting his season short right now
Lamar Odom – his versatility was absolutely necessary for the team to win the gold medal in Turkey… would become very valuable as a four
Kevin Love – was reduced to cheerleading in the World Championships, but has become a much more complete player… resembles the typical European center
And the one bonus is the rumor that Blake Griffin could be joining the pool for the Olympic squad. And then of course you have players who were unable to make the trip like Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.
What you see when you look at the players eligible that shooting is lacking again. But, of course, the real strategy for the U.S. team is suffocating defense and a fast-break pace thanks to incredible depth for a national team.
It will be interesting to see how this roster comes together and who exactly will be in the final roster pool for training camp in June and July. The team is stacked with talent once again and should be able to comfortably play all 12 players during the always-packed Olympic schedule. That is where the U.S. team has its advantages.
But with so many star players on the roster from two different teams that won on the international level, defining roles is going to be critical for this team to have the success it has. Like the 2008 team, everyone is going to have to fit that role and sublimate their individual goals for the team.
This team is still stacked and still is going to be the favorite.
The schedule for the Olympics and for any pre-competition friendlies have not been released yet. The Olympic competition opens up July 29. That leaves less than a month from the end of the season for the players selected to get ready to play.
