2012 USA Basketball Roster: Which NBA Players Will Make the Final Cut?

The Olympic roster has been cut down to 19 names. The next trick is going to be getting those 19 names down to 12 names. 

That's not going to be easy. There are some big names and/or some players with a lot of international experience that are going to be disappointed. 

Here are my projections for the starting lineup and the sixth man, as well as the players rounding out the rest of the roster. Bear in mind this assumes that all the players will still be willing to play for team USA and is barring injuries. 

Starting Point Guard: Chris Paul

This is a very close call but the edge has to go to "Redeem Team" gold medal wearer, Chris Paul. 

Paul is a great ball handler, and he's also an excellent three-point shooter and passer. His particular skill set is optimal for carving up the kinds of zone defenses you see in international ball. 

That he's one of the best perimeter defenders in the game today doesn't hurt either. 

Starting Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade

This is again a coin toss. You're left with one of two impossible choices. Do you put Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant on the bench to start the game? 

I think it comes down letting Wade start and Kobe finish. Either way you can't go wrong. The one problem here is that while both are great players, neither is a particularly great three-point shooter. In international ball, that three-point shot is essential to break up the zone defense.

Small Forward: LeBron James

LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world right now. There' no way you don't put him  on the starting roster. 

Apart from his tremendous offensive acumen, what might even be more important for the Olympic roster is his defensive abilities. His tremendous combination of size and athleticism means he can guard so many different players one on one. 

Power Forward: Kevin Love

I like Kevin Love to start for various reasons, but primarily because of two things. First, hist ability to rebound, and second, his three-point shot to break up the zone. 

Having Love come out and hit threes to break up the zone is going to open up the middle for the players like Wade and James to drive to the rim.

Additionally, you'd have such an outstanding rebounding team that the US would have a commanding rebounding advantage in every game. 

While there are some somewhat valid concerns regarding his defensive abilities, that could be covered up by the players around him. 

Center: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard at center is the one and only easy choice on this roster. He's by far the best center in the world, and he'll be invaluable against Spain where the Gasol brothers (Marc and Pau) will be dominant. 

His low post scoring will also help in terms of breaking up zone defense. The tremendous passing abilities of the team around him will be able to feed him the ball in the post where he is the best finisher in the world.

Sixth Man/Backup SF: Kevin Durant

What a luxury! This team is so deep and so good that the best scorer in the world will be coming off the bench. 

Durant has a three-point shot too, which will help the US to blow up the zone. 

While there's no way you start him over James, there's no way you don't put him on the roster and give him a ton of playing time. He's the ideal candidate to be the team's sixth man with the scoring arsenal he has.

Backup PG: Derrick Rose

There are essentially three key components to attacking a zone defense. First, you need three-point shooting to force defenders to come out to the perimeter. Second, you need to be able to get passes into your bigs to finish in the post. Third, you need dribble penetration. 

When you have all three of those things, the zone defense is powerless to stop you. If they stay back you bury them with the three. If they come out you pass the ball into the post. If they block the passing lanes you split the defenders with dribble penetration. 

No one in the world is faster from the perimeter to the rim than than Derrick Rose. 

If there's any competition it's from James and Wade. How do you stop penetration with those three on the court at the same time? The answer here is you don't. 

Even if by a miracle you can stop all three from penetrating, either of the other two can cut to the rim for the alley-oop. All three are such excellent passers. 

Putting those three on the court at the same time might just be enough to make opposing coaches just start weeping openly on the bench. 

Backup SG: Kobe Bryant

When all else fails there's always Kobe Bryant. Apart from the obvious fact that he's well...Kobe Bryant...you put him on the team for more than his basketball skills. That's not to set aside his basketball skills, they are so complete that they just don't need a lot of mention. 

His midrange game is certainly worthwhile. Having him and Durant on the court at the same time would give the US two fantastic jump shooters to attack at the same time and ensure that the weak-side wing is always going to be a threat with the jumper if the team is having trouble getting to the rim. 

The leadership and seniority that Bryant brings is even more invaluable than his skill set though. He's Kobe Bryant for crying out loud! 

Backup PF: Chris Bosh

Athletic bigs are going to be more important than "big" bigs. Bosh has the type of physical attributes that are perfect for international ball. He's long and athletic. That's going to come in handy against teams like Brazil and Spain. 

Bosh will be able to play both at power forward and center. 

Backup C: LaMarcus Aldrdige

LaMarcus Aldridge was a bit of surprise to make the field of 19. I don't think he would have if he weren't going to make the final cut. Let's not make any mistake about it. He should be on the team. 

Aldridge is such a solid defensive player. He's a scorer. He's really going to be needed on this team. His combination of offensive and defensive talents makes him a solid choice for the backup center on the team. 

Glue Guy: Andre Iguodala

There are essentially two more spots left on the team. There's room for a wing and big. 

My thinking is that one of these two needs to go to a glue guy and defensive specialist. The other needs to go to an offensive threat. 

That leaves us with two possible combinations, either Tyson Chandler (glue and big) and Carmelo Anthony (offensive wing) or Andre Iguodala and Blake Griffin. 

I'm going with Iguodala and Griffin, primarily because the rumor is that Griffin is a shoe-in. 

Having said that, let's not dismiss Iguodala out of hand. He's one of the best defensive wings in the world. He's athletic, and he's got a kind of game that's practically made for international ball. 

In fact, while I'd never argue he's a better NBA player than Anthony, you could make an argument he's a better international player. Isolation, hug-the-ball play isn't particularly great for this kind of play. 

Extra Big: Blake Griffin

That leaves the last man as the reigning Rookie of the Year, Blake Griffin. His ability to finish at the rim will make him the second low post scorer on the team.

While he might not be the best defender in the world, I believe that having the opportunity to play guys like Aldridge and Howard will really improve his defense. Certainly no one would argue he doesn't have the athleticism to be a great defender. 

This 12 man roster would be arguably the best in US history, on par with the original Dream Team.