London 2012: Why No Chris Bosh Means No Gold for Team USA

Chris Bosh's decision to withdraw his name from consideration for the 2012 USA Olympic basketball team that will compete in the London Games this summer means no gold medal for Team USA this August.

The Miami Heat star and newly-crowned NBA champion withdrew himself from consideration in order to rest an abdominal strain suffered more than a month back during the second round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, according to NBCSports.com's Kurt Helin via Twitter:

"

Chris Bosh has will miss Olympics, has pulled his name from consideration for team to rest/rehab abdominal injury.

— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) June 29, 2012"

The losses have been piling up for USA Basketball since the spring when Orlando Magic center and 2008 Olympic champion Dwight Howard announced that he was undergoing back surgery.

Things have only gotten worse for the defending world champions since point guard Derrick Rose went down to a torn ACL and Bosh's teammate Dwyane Wade announced that he will be missing the London Summer Olympics because of knee surgery.

The news of Bosh's decision to skip the 2012 London Olympics serves as the decisive blow to Team USA's gold medal hopes this summer, as they will now try to overcome the loss of their best rebounder from four years ago.

Rebounding Prowess Lost

Bosh led Team USA with 6.1 rebounds per game in 2008 and chipped in 9.1 points per game on the offensive end. With the loss of Howard in the middle this summer, the United States will rely heavily on Tyson Chandler—who did not play in Beijing—at the center position.

Team USA will have to play Chandler for long stretches, and the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year won't have the rebounding help from Bosh. Chandler averaged 9.9 rebounds per game last season with the New York Knicks, but Howard and Bosh combined for 22.4 rebounds per game last season. 

Bosh's presence at power forward and on the glass will be missed this summer without question. In addition to averaging more than nine points per game and leading the Americans on the backboards, Bosh shot better than 77 percent from the field at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and shot 25 of 29 from the foul line.

Lack of Talent and Experience In the Frontcourt

With Bosh out this summer, Team USA will have to depend on internationally inexperienced big men such as Chandler, Lamar Odom, Kevin Love, Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin to dominate on the glass for a consistent period of time. 

Meanwhile, Bosh has been playing for USA Basketball since 2002 and has a plethora of international experience playing alongside the the best American ballers and against the world's top Olympic athletes. 

Although LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are both extraordinary rebounders, their games are based around the perimeter and won't necessary allow them to make consistent or outstanding impacts on the backboards. Bosh is a tall, long and athletic big that understands how to get position and take advantage of his frame to bring down loose balls that he has no business getting.

Excellent Play During the 2012 NBA Playoffs

Bosh was superb for the Miami Heat during the 2012 NBA Playoffs, averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds in 14 postseason games for the Heat. Bosh was huge for Miami in the NBA Finals as well, averaging 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Bosh missed only two free throws during the entire series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Heat won in five games. 

The complimentary role Bosh played alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade this past NBA postseason was critical to Miami's success, and unfortunately for Team USA that role will be left unfilled this summer in London.

The loss of Chris Bosh to USA Basketball is much bigger than many will anticipate. During the playoffs, the Heat were just 5-4 in the nine games Bosh missed to an abdominal strain and 11-3 in the games he did play. In addition to the vital role Bosh plays in the frontcourt for both teams, the absence of his winning mentality will cost the Americans the gold in London this summer. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more reaction to the 2012 London Summer Olympics.