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Candidates for the 2012 USA Men's Olympic Basketball Team

Shaun Ahmad

Columnist Written on August 20, 2008

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Joe Johnson, Caron Butler, Brandon Roy

Small Forwards: Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala

Power Forwards: Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, Michael Beasley

Centers: Greg Oden, Tyson Chandler

Why would this team work? Versatility, for one.

Offensively, you have a creator and slasher at point guard in Derrick Rose to compliment Joe Johnson and Kevin Durant—two players who like to shoot early and often.

Inside, you have the rebounding and offensive presence of Al Jefferson, who would be assisted by mainstay at center Greg Oden. In need for more offense? No problem. Put in Jefferson at center and Michael Beasley in at the four spot for a small, uptempo, quick-scoring lineup.

Defensively, a lineup of Rondo and Butler in the backcourt would suffocate any tandem of international guards. Iguodala brings hard-nosed defense to the small forward position, with arguably the most versatile player in the league, Josh Smith, at power forward. Oden, with his blocking and rebounding abilities, would be the center when the USA plans to go all defense.

More than capable backups of Brandon Roy and Tyson Chandler round out what I think to be a very talented and gold-medal worthy USA Men’s Basketball team for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Have a problem with my team or have a better lineup to suggest? I’m all ears.

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