With Team USA Men’s Basketball minicamp taking place this week, I got to thinking about what the perfect lineup would be. Now I’m choosing my roster as if every player is available and would compete if chosen. These aren’t the 12-best players in the NBA, just the 12 guys I would like to see on Team USA in a year.
Starting Five
Center: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Power Forward: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Small Forward: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Shooting Guard: James Harden, Houston Rockets
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
This lineup is built off athleticism and scoring. These five players can score with anyone and no one could keep up with them running the floor. Davis and Cousins are arguably 1A and one 1B when it comes to big men in the league. Davis is growing into the NBA’s next big star, he’s beast on defense and has developed a nice offensive game. It will be hard for any apposing frontcourt to contend with these two.
I was tempted to start Kevin Durant in place of James just to see him, Harden, and Westbrook in the same lineup. But James is the best player in the world and will do a better job running the offense. With James running the show, Harden and Westbrook will take care of the scoring. Two of the best scoring guards in the league, Harden and Westbrook can light up the scoreboard before the opponent realizes the game started.
The Bench
DeAndre Jordan: Center, Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin: Power Forward, Los Angeles Clippers
Kevin Durant: Small Forward/Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kawhi Leonard: Small Forward, San Antonio Spurs
Klay Thompson: Shooting Guard, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry: Point Guard, Golden State Warriors
John Wall: Point Guard, Washington Wizards
I built the rest of my team to be the most athletic with the capability to put fast points on the board. Jordan and Griffin bring the high-flying lob city to Team USA. I wanted to put their point guard Chris Paul on the roster as well, but there are other young point guards I would like to see on the teams. These two will do fine without their leader probably lead the team in highlight plays along the way.
Durant and Leonard are two of the best small forwards in the league, Durant is one of the best scorers in the league and some consider him virtually unstoppable. Leonard, a rising superstar, is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. A year ago he led the Spurs to an NBA championship and has the talent to lead to USA to a Gold Medal.
Finally the guards. Curry and Thompson are no brainers after they led Golden State to an NBA title. Curry the reigning MVP is one of the deadliest scorers in the league as well as one of the best point guards. While some will conclude it's all about the threes for Curry, he's one of the most underrated defensive ones in the entire Association.
His backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, is another deadly scorer. Together, the “Splash Brothers” can light up the scoreboard. Thompson is a sharp shooting wing and in international play that can be big especially with point guards like Wall on the roster. Wall is one of the most athletic players in the NBA and he’s a master at the drive and kick. With Wall sucking in the defense Curry and Thompson will have plenty of wide open chances from three.
What do you think of my Olympic team, and would they win gold? Did I leave the wrong players off the roster? Who would be your USA roster? Way in and join the discussion @eDraftSports and @TIPnumber3 on twitter.