Stephen Curry Or Russell Westbrook: Who's The Better Fit For Team USA?

The battle for the final roster spot on the United States team competing for the FIBA Wold Championship appears to be between Golden State Warriors' guard Stephen Curry and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.

Neither player has really distinguished himself among the group of players hoping to join the permanent roster, but if the choice really boils down to Curry or Westbrook, who gets the nod?

Westbrook is a better physical specimen, and more athletic than Curry, but his talents mirror those of Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose, who are considered locks to make the team.

All three players share the same ability to penetrate the lane with strength and quickness, and all three are also considered to be superior defensive guards.

Unfortunately Rondo, Rose, and Westbrook also share the reputation of poor perimeter shooters, and Curry's best hopes of making the team may lie in this anomaly.

Curry is arguably the best long distance threat on the USA team's roster, and the importance of three point shooting is magnified in international play.

The international game is based on the ability to control tempo through ball movement and perimeter scoring, and the offense is usually started from the perimeter rather than the post.

Momentum swings are pivotal in international play and the ability to match an opponent on a hot streak from the perimeter could be important, if not necessary.

Team USA has plenty of offensive options in players such as Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Danny Granger, and Lamar Odom, but history has taught us that a lack of consistent perimeter scoring could spell doom for Team USA.

The 2004 Olympic team included LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, who are considered two of the NBA's top basketball players, but the lack of perimeter scoring was one of the reasons that team was forced to settle for a bronze medal.

From a defensive point of view most people consider Westbrook to be better than Curry, but Rondo and Rose are arguably better than Westbrook on on the defensive end, and Curry did rank fourth in the NBA in steals.

Curry is not an over-powering defensive player, but he plays the passing lanes well, and his size has not made him the defensive liability that some thought he would be.

In fact, both Curry and Westbrook are 6'3", and although Curry may be slight of build, his frame is suited for the finesse style of international play.

An ankle injury recently hobbled Curry, and it remains to be seen if an injury will have any impact on whether he makes the team or not.

Curry did manage to play through the pain of the injury in the U.S.'s exhibition victory over Spain, and the youngest member of the team's roster seems intent on proving he belongs.

Curry's shooting ability is a unique attribute that stands out when compared to other players in consideration for Team USA's final roster spot, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.

I can picture the U.S. team finding themselves in a situation where a three-point shot becomes critical during the course of the World Championships, and as the ball swings around the perimeter, who would you rather have take the shot than Curry?

Westbrook certainly deserves consideration for the talents he brings to the table, but unlike Curry, none of his skills are unique to the team.