Howard is out.

Bosh is out now, as well.

Realistically here is what remains because of injuries.
I'm unsure whether to include Odom on this list.

Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Anthony Davis
Kevin Durant
Rudy Gay
Eric Gordon
Blake Griffin
James Harden
Andre Iguodala
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Lamar Odom
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook
Deron Williams

I don't think any players who are still free agents will risk injury. I would be real surprised Odom is picked. That means 3 guys need to go. I still think someone else will pull out, but assuming they don't.

Harden or Eric Gordon
A.I. or Rudy Gay
One of the big guys?

10 must have players:
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Durant
Blake Griffin
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook
Deron Williams

That's 2 PGs, a PG/SG, a SG, 3 PF/Cs, and Lebron and Carmelo who play anywhere. It's actually pretty hard to pick out any real weak spots in the depth chart because so many of those guys can play multiple positions. Anyway, these are the remaining players.

Anthony Davis
James Harden
Andre Iguodala
Rudy Gay
Eric Gordon
Lamar Odom

I'd probably DQ Harden because his game is predicated on lowering his shoulder and bowling people over, and he won't get the calls in international ball. Odom is out because he's a nutcase. Otherwise, it's a tough decision that ultimately doesn't matter that much. I'd probably go with Anthony Davis for shotblocking and Eric Gordon for shooting. It's probably also good to get Davis some international experience as a role player, because it sounds like he's got the talents to be on a number of USA basketball teams.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/29/2012 9:01p).]

I don't want Blake Griffin on this team, hate that guy.

Love the flexibility the US roster has vs. other nations. Lot's of guys can play 2 sometimes 3 positions. I'll enjoy watching KD and Westbrook play, help with the Thunder withdrawals here in OKC.

I think iggy makes it.

agreed, he was pretty pivotal at the 2010 WC's

I'd rather have Iguodala than Griffin, but I'll be shocked if Griffin doesn't make the roster.

Anthony Davis severely sprained ankle. That likely rules him out.

If everyone was healthy I think Griffin would have a tough time making the team. But now he's a 100% lock by default.

[This message has been edited by ItalAggie (edited 7/2/2012 1:01p).]

Reference from past teams on how many post players are kept:

2008 team

Boozer, Carlos
Kidd, Jason
James, LeBron
Williams, Deron
Redd, Michael
Wade, Dwyane
Bryant, Kobe
Howard, Dwight
Bosh, Chris
Paul, Chris
Prince, Tayshaun
Anthony, Carmelo


2010 team

Chauncey Billups
Kevin Durant
Derrick Rose
Russell Westbrook
Rudy Gay
Andre Iguodala
Danny Granger
Stephen Curry
Eric Gordon
Kevin Love
Lamar Odom
Tyson Chandler

anthony davis out, severe sprain of his ankle

CBS reports that Lamar Kardashian has dropped out, and 9 players have been guaranteed spots, which means 6 guys duelling for 3 spots (Anthony Davis still receiving consideration).

The 9:
LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Kevin Durant
Russell Westbrook
Kevin Love
Tyson Chandler

The 6 (5)
James Harden
Eric Gordon

Rudy Gay
Andre Iguodala
Fake Griffin
(Anthony Davis)


Spain's interior: Pau and Marc Gasol, and Serge Ibaka.


Link: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19466174/lamar-odom-off-team-usa-nine-players-guaranteed-a-spot

I go Harden, Gordon, Iguodala.

Make LBJ play big in some rotations.

However, if Davis can recover from the ankle, sub Andre for Davis.

I'm not worried about Spain's front court. I love Ibaka, but James and even Durant can check him easily.

Fake Griffin said to be a lock, as well.
CP360 left practice with thumb injury.

I think the announcement is pretty soon.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8137827/2012-olympic-games-los-angeles-clippers-blake-griffin-lock-make-usa-olympics-team-sources-say

Harden and AI get the last two spots (barring injuries to the others).

LeBron James, Heat
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Carmelo Anthony, Knicks
Chris Paul, Clippers
Deron Williams, Nets
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Tyson Chandler, Knicks
Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Blake Griffin, Clippers
Andre Iguodala, 76ers
James Harden, Thunder

In terms of bigs, were Aldridge, Noah, and Bynum simply not interested?

I thought Noah played with the french?

Noah is with the French, but injured. Aldridge is injured. Bynum decided to get surgery this summer.

Would have liked one more shooter on that team, but whatevs.

Also, Kyrie Irving will be really, really, really good in the next few seasons:

http://youtu.be/69bc_OOLIMM

2 things, there better be a blake griffin vs lebron james dunk contest next year

If blake would work on his post game/mid range game as much as his pretty dunks, he'd be more legit. You cant try to leap over/dunk over the entire league for forever, especially without injury.

For those that like to follow the US National team, here is the next wave, prepping for 2013. This is from June.

quote:

---

Accepting invitations to participate in the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team mini-camp were:
Ryan Anderson (New Orleans Pelicans);
Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors);
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards);
Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies/Ohio State); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings);
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans);
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors);
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons);
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets);
Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz);
Paul George (Indiana Pacers);
Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls);
Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz);
Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers);
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers);
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers);
Ty Lawson (Denver Nuggets);
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs);
Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers);
Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons);
Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets);
Larry Sanders (Milwaukee Bucks);
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors);
Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers);
Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats);
John Wall (Washington Wizards);
Tyler Zeller (Cleveland Cavaliers).

Recently named 2013-16 USA Basketball National Team head coach and Duke University’s Naismith Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski will direct the mini-camp. Serving as assistant coaches are USA Basketball and Syracuse University veteran coach Jim Boeheim, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams.

---

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/index.html

[This message has been edited by Iowaggie (edited 7/9/2013 1:17p).]

anyone think S Curry will make the team? Who are the guys who will make the team for sure?

Kobe
Lebron
Carmelo

I think Kobe said he was done. For the most part, he'd played on the international team for the last 8 or so years.

I definitely think Curry will make the team.

Curry should be a fantastic international player, but because of his durability issues I kind of think he should be taking summers off.

From that group, Irving, Thompson, PG, Anderson, and the center is a tough choice. Maybe Larry Sanders for the international game? Don't think you want DeAndre or Drummond guarding euro 5s who play on the perimeter. Zeller would actually be pretty good for that. Faried would probably eat those euros alive.

[This message has been edited by hotardag07 (edited 7/10/2013 2:31p).]

I want Faried in any league. He's the definition of "motor".