U.S. Olympic Basketball Roster: Projecting Every Player for London Games

The 2012 NBA season is a part of the record books, and the Miami Heat are the NBA champions! As a result, the basketball world has shifted to a new set of potential champions: the prospective Olympic champions.

As always, Team USA is entering the London Games with high expectations. The roster is filled with the game's elite. and the world has begun to refer to this unit as the "Dream Team." While we all know who would win that battle, the name breeds expectation.

So, who will lead the United States to the promised land? Who will stay home? Both of those questions and more will be answered in the following slides.

Point Guard: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul is, arguably, the best point guard in the NBA. He's certainly the best point guard on Team USA's finalists roster. To exclude him from the London Olympics would be a crime, which simply won't be committed.

CP3 has a rare combination of scoring, facilitating and defensive tools that separate him from most NBA players, regardless of position. He's just as much of a threat to put up 25 points as he is to put up 10 assists or swipe three steals.

This is an addition that the United States it needs to make. Considering that Coach K is familiar with Paul from his days in the ACC, you can bet it will.

International Accolades: 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal

Point Guard: Deron Williams, Free Agent

Deron Williams made quite the name for himself last season in Brooklyn, putting up averages of 21.0 points, 8.7 assists and a player efficiency rating (PER) of 20.34. Considering his career averages of 17.6 points and 9.2 assists, however, we shouldn't have been surprised.

With Williams coming in as just one of three point guards on the finalists roster, there's no way to shut the budding superstar out. He's an elite scoring option, but he will be valued for his facilitating abilities.

Williams is a big, physical point guard who brings a mean streak that Team USA could certainly use.

International Accolades: 2008 Olympic Gold Medal

Combo Guard: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

23-year-old NBA finalist Russell Westbrook is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA. For every game in which he'll drop 30 points, he'll add another 10 assists. Unfortunately, he's also one of the most inconsistent.

As for Westbrook's qualifications, the Oklahoma City point guard was a key piece of the United States' 2010 FIBA World Championship. He also has the athleticism and skills to play both the point and 2, making him a valuable combo guard asset to a team that's unusually thin at every position.

With the quality and maturity of the roster around him, this might be the best thing that's ever happened to Russell Westbrook's career.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

The 2004 Olympic basketball team lost three games, the only three the unit has lost since the original Dream Team in 1992. When 2008 rolled around, the hype was high, and the team was in need of the best player in the NBA to right the ship.

Kobe Bryant happily obliged.

Kobe dominated, putting up at least 20 points in two separate games, including 20 in the gold medal game against a tough opponent in Spain. In 2012, expect more of the same, as the generation's greatest brings a scoring touch and clutch mindset that cannot be suppressed.

International Accolades: 2008 Olympic Gold Medal

Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony has experienced every high and low of the past decade's United States basketball team. From the 2004 Olympic meltdown to the 2008 domination, 'Melo has been a key component of each polarizing result.

In 2012, 'Melo will bring irreplaceable international experience and a championship pedigree. He'll score in bunches, exude infectious confidence and even play some surprisingly efficient defense. Team USA can thank Mike Woodson for that one.

International Accolades: 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal, 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal

Small Forward: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant has joined the conversation for best player in the NBA. While very few would argue against LeBron James after the Heat won the NBA championship in convincing fashion, Durant is a three-time scoring champion whose efficient and mature play is unbelievable for a player at just 23 years old.

The fact that he was the best player on the United States team that won the 2010 FIBA World Championship is just an additional bonus here.

Expect Durant to split time at the 3 and 4 as the Americans look to add depth to a thin front court. Also expect Durant to score from anywhere and any position on the floor.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Forward: LeBron James, Miami Heat

The best player in the world is going to make the cut.

LeBron James has proven to be the most physically dominant player since Shaquille O'Neal. He's unstoppable off of the dribble, much improved from mid-range and capable of shutting down any opponent at any position on defense. This is valuable knowledge to the USA coaching staff, as LBJ will split time between the 3 and 4.

Expect James to spend some serious time on the court.

International Accolades: 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal, 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal

Power Forward: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin is an international rookie. He's also one of the most physically unstoppable players in the NBA, whose high-flying dunks will make him an international sensation.

Tack on the fact that he's one of just five natural interior players who could possibly qualify, and it's not hard to see why Griffin is on the roster.

While Blake Griffin won't be settling for mid-range jump shots that he just can't hit at this point in his career, the 23-year-old Clippers star is going to be a key component of the Americans' offense. His dunks do count as points, in case you forgot, and he will be utilized accordingly.

International Accolades: N/A

Power Forward: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love is the best power forward in the NBA. He's just as much of a threat to reach 20 rebounds as he is 20 points, making him the single most obvious choice for a frontcourt-depleted American lineup.

Love will bring a toughness to the interior, as well as a spread-the-floor big man whose style works well against international big men. His ability to hit the three will open up opportunities for LeBron James to drive the lane, Kobe Bryant to post-up his position and the rest of the Americans to tear into the core of their opponents.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Power Forward: Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Clippers

Update: Reported July 2, this tweet says it all:

"

Lamar Odom tells ESPNLA he will skip Team USA this summer and work with trainers in L.A. and focus on this season.

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 2, 2012

"

Lamar Odom will not be on Team USA this summer. Now, six NBA players are set to compete for three remaining roster spots.

Previously posted: Many are speculating that Lamar Odom will find his way onto the Team USA roster based off of the success he found in the 2010 World Basketball Championship. Considering that the Americans are in need of an interior presence who can block shot and crash the boards, however, Odom finds himself in a shaky position.

No. 1 draft choie Anthony Davis gets the nod here, as he is coming off of an outstanding freshman season at Kentucky. The true reason is Davis' feel for the game, however, as he's likely to adjust to the international pace at an adequate speed.

Nevertheless, the debate comes down to Odom and Rudy Gay. Considering the depth that the Americans possess on the perimeter, Odom owns the key advantage.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Center: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets

Update: The July 2 news  from Yahoo that Davis has hurt his ankle and might not make the London trip, adds another question mark to the roster. One of the players not projected to make the cut now could come in, but not as a center. Probably the team should just "live" with Chandler at center and Griffin and Love providing the other big bodies down low. 

Previously posted: This pick comes down to 2010 FIBA World Champion Lamar Odom and 2012 national champion Anthony Davis. While it may come as a surprise, the smart choice here is the kid with no international success.

Davis is an elite shot-blocker whose length and athleticism will be key to the Americans' frontcourt. His defensive presence will offer a very small letdown once Tyson Chandler takes time to rest, which is the pure advantage he holds of Odom.

The first overall draft choice is headed for his first Olympic medal.

International Accolades: N/A

Center: Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks

Tyson Chandler is the one and only true center out of all the United States' finalists. To cut the reigning Defensive Player of the Year from the team would be just as devastating as leaving LeBron James home for that reason alone.

Chandler was a major part of the United States' 2010 FIBA World Championship team. He then won the NBA title the next year with the Dallas Mavericks, proving that his championship pedigree and will to win is up to par with the NBA's elite.

Chandler will be a key player for the success or failure of the U.S. national team.

International Success: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Omission: Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy Gay is an outstanding young athlete who will finally break out in the 2013 NBA season. As for when it will begin, you may be able to look to the Olympics.

It should be noted that Gay's competitors share an equal fighting chance. Gay, however, holds a serious advantage over each of his fellow finalists. He's much taller than Eric Gordon, and he's a better scorer than Andre Iguodala, as well as being athletic enough to play the 2.

Unfortunately, this versatility will not be enough to clinch Gay's spot on the roster. The Americans need size and an interior presence, which Odom offers much more than Gay does.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Omission: Eric Gordon, Free Agent

Amongst internet fans, Eric Gordon is considered to be one of the best young players in the league. While that opinion won't be debated, his long history of poor health and the Americans' need for size will be his undoing as the roster is cut to 12.

Gordon was a major reason the Americans walked away victorious at the 2010 FIBA World Championships. This will be enough to make the decision a difficult one, but not enough to overcome the fact that Gordon is just 6'3" and joining a crop of backcourt players who all deserve more playing time than he.

Gordon will inevitably lose out to Lamar Odom, whose combination of size and positional versatility will secure his spot amongst the elite.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Omission: James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

One of the final decisions to be made could come as the coaches evaluate how they will round out their lineup. With a need for a consistent perimeter player who can offer points and solid defense as the U.S. shifts to smaller lineups, the time will come where Carmelo Anthony, James Harden and Rudy Gay are up for consideration.

Unfortunately for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, 'Melo will receive the nod.

Harden is an outstanding young player whose ability to score the basketball is difficult to match. Unfortunately, Harden is coming off of an NBA Finals appearance in which he was a complete non-factor. He averaged just 12.4 points on 37.5 percent shooting from the floor and 31.8 percent shooting from distance.

'Melo gets the nod here based off of his seniority and Harden's weak momentum.

International Accolades: N/A

Omission: Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

With Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and LeBron James all making the team, playing time at the 3 could be difficult to come by. Fortunately for Iguodala, the United States will inevitably play a smaller lineup, with any of those three wingmen at the 4.

It's just not fortunate enough.

Iguodala remains one of the game's best perimeter defenders, as well as a phenomenal athlete. The youth movement will begin, however, as Eric Gordon's scoring abilities from the 2 offer him a slight advantage...an advantage trumped by the size and rebounding of Lamar Odom.

International Accolades: 2010 FIBA World Championship

Injury Absence: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

The United States' frontcourt took a major hit on Friday, as reigning NBA champion Chris Bosh made it clear that he will not be participating at the London Olympics. Instead, Bosh will rest his injured abdomen in hopes of making a full recovery in 2013.

This leaves a serious void in the United States' roster, as the frontcourt was already much thinner than desired. While this opens the door for Anthony Davis to make the cut, thus adding an elite interior defender to the roster, Bosh's spread-the-floor and gritty defense would have been beneficial.

International Accolades: 2006 FIBA World Championship and 2008 Olympic Gold Medal

Injury Absence: Dwyane Wade, Shooting Guard

According to a report issued by ESPN.com, star guard and reigning NBA champion Dwyane Wade will miss the Olympics. The source of Wade's absence will be a knee surgery that will eliminate any chance of his being ready.

While the U.S. team's perimeter is deep enough to take out any opponent, Wade's absence will be missed. The two-time NBA champion won a gold medal in 2008 and bronze medal in 2004, bringing always-welcomed experience to the team.

Missing one of the world's greatest will certainly damage the roster.

International Accolades: 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal, 2006 FIBA World Championship and 2008 Olympic Gold Medal