USA Basketball roster takes shape
As storm clouds passed through Las Vegas over the past 48 hours, so too has most of the drama of who will make the final 12-man roster for the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
Fifteen players arrived Thursday at Wynn Las Vegas, and USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said nine of them already can begin packing their rain gear for London: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love.
That leaves six players – Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis – competing for the final three spots.
The team officially will be announced Saturday at Wynn, and while everyone will participate at today’s initial workout at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center, USA Basketball can make changes right up to the eve of the Olympics, which begin July 27. So even the three alternates will need to stay ready in the event of yet another injury.
“We’ve taken some bullets,” Colangelo said of injuries that knocked out Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Chauncey Billups. “But we are very comfortable with the players we have available. We have athleticism, we have versatility, and we have a lot of gold-medal winners from our last two competitions.
“For the three guys who are alternates, my message to them will be to stay prepared because you never know.”
Coach Mike Krzyzewski said it’s important to focus on those who are here rather than those who are not.
“I don’t think you should be worried about what you don’t have,” he said. “Losing Bosh and Howard doesn’t make us worse. It makes us different.”
The difference is the U.S. team likely will play more up-tempo in the Olympics. At its core are players who are athletic and versatile, players who can play multiple positions and fill multiple roles.
“I think it’s our strength,” Krzyzewski said. “As a coach, you love having that kind of flexibility where you’re not subbing a player for a player but, instead, you’re filling a position on the floor with players who can give you a different dimension while still allowing you to execute.”
Colangelo said fans should not get fixated over the U.S. team’s perceived lack of height.
“We have one true center in Chandler,” Colangelo said of the 7-foot-1-inch, 11-year NBA veteran. “But if you look at the people we have with size, they can compete. Love, Griffin, Rudy Gay … (Gay) played some center for us when we won the World Championship in 2010, and he’s 6-8.
“People continually throw the size factor and Spain at us, and I tell them that matchups work both ways. Those teams will have to deal with our speed and quickness.”
Krzyzewski said today and Saturday will be critical because the bulk of the playbook will be installed. With just three weeks to prepare, he also has to be careful not to overextend the team physically.
“We have to take this in stages,” he said. “The first two days to get the system in while determining the final 12 is the first stage. Then the rest of our time here will be the second stage.
“Our use of the Select (practice) team will be different than in the past. We’re not looking for a lot of physical contact. But our guys are pretty energetic, and they’re ready to go.”
■ NOTES – All practices are closed to the public. Tickets remain available for Thursday’s exhibition game against the Dominican Republic at the Thomas & Mack Center. Davis worked out for the coaching staff Thursday at the Mendenhall Center separate from Griffin, Gordon and Harden, who were joined by Paul for their group workout. Colangelo said while Davis’ sprained left ankle is not 100 percent, he was able to provide the coaches with an opportunity to see some of his skills, and he remains in the running for one of the final roster spots.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
