USA Basketball 2012 Roster: Blake Griffin Must Play Big for America to Win Gold

Blake Griffin earned one of Team USA's final roster spots Saturday night. With Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard both off the roster, Griffin's presence becomes extremely important. He brings athleticism unlike anything else the world has to offer.

Griffin is used to being a man among boys. He jumps higher, runs faster and is stronger than most big men you're going to find.

That's in the NBA. His advantage will only increase on the international scene where fundamentals are stressed over athleticism.

Griffin averaged a double-double for the Clippers last season. He has a very raw offensive repertoire, but he gets the job done on a consistent basis.

Just look at Team USA's roster. Besides Tyson Chandler, the team has no presence in the paint. Kevin Love is an excellent rebounder, but he isn't the type of guy to carve out his own space and dominate a game.

Even Chandler is iffy. He's the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, but his offensive skills are extremely limited. He will see an increase in his production in this tournament, but he isn't who you want to rely upon for points in big games.

That leaves Griffin. He's unlike any forward the NBA has seen for a very long time, or maybe ever. His athleticism makes up for any shortcomings he has in terms of his actual basketball skill set.

The USA is going to need his presence if they want to win gold. I know most people assume it's going to be easy, but teams like Argentina and Spain will provide stiff competition. The world hasn't completely caught up to the United States on the court, but they've certainly narrowed the margin enough to make things interesting.

Team USA's perimeter players are talented enough to take this team very far, but a one-dimensional squad won't take home the tournament's ultimate prize.

Griffin must provide explosiveness underneath and some stability in an otherwise barren Team USA frontcourt. His freakish athleticism and measurables create a mismatch like no other in this tournament's field.

If he doesn't give that edge, Team USA is heading for a disappointing finish.