London 2012: Lamar Odom an Unlikely Savior for Coach K, Team USA?

It's the time of the year where unlikely heroes emerge, coming to the rescue of their team in the heart of the postseason. Due to the rarity of what is set to transpire this summer, however, it is not the playoffs where the hero is coming to light.

It's the Olympics.

In a sudden twist of fate, one of the league's most controversial players may be finding his way onto the grandest stage of all. According to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, embattled star Lamar Odom, who infamously left the Dallas Mavericks before season's end, remains an option for the US national team.

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"Yeah, definitely. Lamar has been part of our pool," [coach Mike Krzyzewski] said. "Guys who have competed, they earned an equity. Lamar was our second-leading scorer in Istanbul, and we would not have won the World Championship without him. I think for most players, there are certain bumps, certain things that sometimes happen throughout their career—when they’re not playing well or they’re hurt. We’ll get a chance to determine his status when we bring him into training camp. But he’s part of our pool and we have a great relationship with Lamar."

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News of his availability may come as a surprise to some, but it must be noted that the US team is desperate for size upon receiving news of injuries to Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge. As a result, the best case scenario would be to look for players with a history of international success.

Lamar Odom has just that, as he played a major role in the United States' World Basketball Championship triumph back in 2010. He notoriously posted averages of 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game over the span of the the semifinals and finals, leading the US as the most veteran player on the team.

Most important of all is the fact that Odom played a majority of his time at the five spot. The current US roster has Tyson Chandler as the only center on the team, with the rest of the bigs spending little-to-no time at that position throughout the entirety of their careers.

Whether you love him or hate him, the reality television star may be what the United States ever-so desperately needs. Just do your best to overlook one season and admire his long-lasting versatility.