Derrick Rose Injury: 3 Most Likely Replacements for Star PG in 2012 Olympics
Chicago Bulls' star Derrick Rose is officially out for the rest of the 2012 NBA playoffs and beyond after tearing his ACL in Saturday's Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN.com.
Rose was the second-highest scoring point guard in the NBA this year despite playing in only 39 games during the regular season. Rose averaged 21.8 points per game, which trails only Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (23.6 PPG), who just happens to be Rose's teammate on the 2012 USA Olympic team.
According to ESPN.com, Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo has said that no players will be brought on to the 15-man preliminary roster, leaving three of the world's best point guards available to take over starting duties for Team USA this summer in London.
Take a look.
Though some say Los Angeles Clipper point guard Chris Paul's size is an issue, his game is certainly not. Paul averaged 19.8 points and 9.1 assists per game during the regular season with LA's other team, not to mention he played in 60 of 66 games, averaging 36.4 minutes per night in the process.
Even better for fans of Team USA, Paul has already won an Olympic gold medal. Four years ago in the summer of 2008, Paul and Team USA went 13-0 (including a 5-0 record during the pre-Olympic tour) en route to taking home the world's most prestigious basketball prize.
At age 26, Chris Paul's prime is still in front of him, and there is no better player to hand the keys to the offense to at this point in time.
Russell Westbrook
Unlike Derrick Rose, Thunder floor general Russell Westbrook has proved to be one of the NBA's toughest players in terms of durability. Westbrook has played in every single regular-season game (312 total) since being drafted to OKC in 2008.
Westbrook is a career 19-point, seven-assist-a-night point guard, but there is a catch. The biggest flaw in the former UCLA Bruin's game is his decision-making. He shoots only 43 percent from the field for his four-year NBA career, and slightly less than 29 percent from long range for his career.
However, the effort, athleticism and intensity Westbrook brings is unmatched by anyone else at his position. The biggest pro and con of Westbrook in the starting PG role for the Olympics is that he is surrounded by world-class talent. Either those guys keep him in line or he gets out of control and wastes their production.
Westbrook was a big part of Team USA's 2010 FIBA World Championship success, which included a gold medal and a flawless 9-0 record.
Deron Williams
On the outside it looks like Deron Williams' production has remained consistent in 2012, but in reality it has taken him nearly 2.5 more shot attempts this season to average his 21 points per game. Williams shot 40.7 percent from the field this past season with the New Jersey Nets.
Still, the 27-year-old point guard is one of the more experienced Olympians available for Team USA this summer in its attempt to defend the coveted gold medal.
Williams helped Team USA to the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and will provide even more of a presence this go around. If Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook get nicked up along the way, Williams will be an easy-to-pick option for Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
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