Why Anthony Davis Deserves Shot to Make 2012 US Olympic Team

Could it be possible for Kentucky’s Anthony Davis to play in the Olympics before he ever plays an NBA game?

The back injury to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard not only has cost him the rest of the regular season and the postseason, but the chance at representing Team USA in the 2012 London Games as well.

Since Howard was a lock to make the roster, Jerry Colangelo and company must start thinking of a replacement. With the short list of quality NBA centers, maybe it's time for Colangelo to think outside the box.

Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks should be a lock, but Chandler is very banged up heading into the playoffs and likely could need the rest. They need to add a backup for Chandler regardless.

At the top of that list could be the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum, but despite his on-court success, does Team USA need a guy that could potentially screw up the chemistry of the team? Not only that, but do Bynum’s sideshow antics and immature behavior even warrant consideration?

The answer to that should be no, which brings us to the next best option in Davis.

Grantland’s Bill Simmons first raised the possibility of Davis on the Olympic team in his latest mailbag, and he’s not the only one. Simmons wrote:

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It's the no-brainer of no-brainers! Anthony Davis just won an NCAA title. He protects the rim like nobody we've seen since a young Dikembe Mutombo. He's the ultimate teammate, someone who can affect basketball games without taking a single shot. Unlike Bynum, we won't have to worry about him screwing up team chemistry. He'll be the ultimate happy-to-be-there young guy. He'll even happily settle into that always-enjoyable role as the whipping boy rookie who has to carry everyone else's bags and stuff. And by the way? We might actually need him! 

"

Simmons brings up good points, but let’s look ahead to why Team USA needs to add Davis.

It’s because the gold medal will be determined between the USA vs. Spain, and the Spaniards can throw Pau and Marc Gasol plus Serge Ibaka at the Americans.

They will certainly be able to protect the rim. Team USA will have to do the same.

Is Davis NBA-ready at the offensive end? He certainly needs to add some strength, but he can finish around the rim, shooting .623 from the floor.

But while you can debate that, you can’t debate the impact he could have on the defensive end of the floor, blocking 4.7 shots per game as a freshman. He’s got a great feel for the game and outstanding leaping skills.

All Davis would have to do is play a few minutes per game and block and alter shots. You can make the case that he can do that better right now, before he’s even drafted, than any potential member of the Team USA roster.

His skill set is valuable to potentially winning a gold medal.

Davis may not be the ideal choice or even a popular one, but the idea makes sense, especially given the need for a shot-blocker. His 7’6” wingspan could come in handy for head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Consider the other options which include Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Bosh and other guys who are traditional power forwards instead of shot-blocking centers.

When it’s time to announce the Team USA roster, it’s very doubtful it will include Davis’ name, but it should—especially if the ultimate goal is winning a gold medal.