USA Basketball 2012 Roster: Breaking Down Team USA

Team USA is set, as an official release from NBA.com lays out the full 12-man lineup for the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London. 

Thanks to a number of injuries—most notably to Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose—this team isn't quite as stacked as we've come to expect from USA Basketball rosters. But it's still absolutely loaded. 

With only one true center on the roster, expect a lot of small ball, with small forwards lining up at power forward and multiple point guards or shooting guards on the court at the same time. 

Despite the injuries, Team USA should be the favorites to bring home the gold medal at the end of this international competition. 

Read on to find out which players will be working towards that goal. 

Carmelo Anthony

Team: New York Knicks

Position: SF

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 22.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists

Olympic Experience: 2004 and 2008 teams

Not only can Carmelo Anthony score the ball seemingly at will, but he's also one of the most internationally experienced players on this version of Team USA. 

The Olympics are the stage on which 'Melo usually proves that he can score at a high level without playing his typical ball-hogging style of offense. 

Expect him to do the same once more as he lights up the scoreboard alongside a number of great point guards. 

Kobe Bryant

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Position: SG

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists

Olympic Experience: 2008 team

Although Kobe Bryant is one of the biggest names on this star-studded roster, expect him to take a bit of a backseat during this international competition. 

Between his advancing age and declining health when it comes to his knees, Kobe should take it easy and let the younger players on the roster shoulder more of a burden. 

Then again, he's so competitive that sitting back and watching may not be possible. 

Tyson Chandler

Team: New York Knicks

Position: C

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 11.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks

Olympic Experience: None

Perhaps the single most important player on the Team USA roster, Tyson Chandler is the only true center, and he will be counted on heavily on defense. Chandler should be the anchor on that less glamorous end of the court during his first Olympic experience. 

If he chooses one game in which to really show up, it has to be the inevitable showdown with Spain, in which he'll have to fend off Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. 

Kevin Durant

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: SF

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Olympic Experience: None

As great as Kevin Durant was during the 2010 FIBA World Championships, he's one of the clear front runners to be the best player on this squad. 

Durant was simply born to score the basketball. He can do that just as well in international play as he does in The Association. 

Just like he always is, expect Durant to be a major mismatch lining up at small forward. He'll be a handful for any defender. 

Blake Griffin

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Position: PF

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 20.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists

Olympic Experience: None

Blake Griffin is the physical presence that the United States needs at the power forward position. 

Contrary to popular belief, Griffin can do more than just dunk the ball. Then again, he does that quite well and might have the potential to top Vince Carter's epic dunk over Frederic Weis at the 2000 Olympics. 

Griffin isn't a great defender, though, which will hurt his chances of earning significant playing time during his first experience with international competition. 

James Harden

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: SG

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists

Olympic Experience: None

James Harden was absolutely atrocious during the 2012 NBA Finals, but don't expect a repeat performance in the Olympics. 

This shooting guard is still an elite player—not only at his position, but among all five positions that the NBA has to offer. 

Harden will have to step up his defensive game, but his creativity and knack for getting to the rack on offense will serve the U.S. team well as he becomes the primary backup for Kobe Bryant. 

At the very worst, Harden will give the Americans an awesome bearded mascot on the bench. 

Andre Iguodala

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Position: SG/SF

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 12.4 points, 6.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds

Olympic Experience: None

Andre Iguodala is a versatile player, but he'll be asked to focus on his defense during the Olympics. 

Although the swingman is a capable offensive player, there are far better options on that end of the court given the presence of so many superstars. Iggy will be limited to playing defense for the most part. 

Fortunately for both him and the USA, Iguodala is one of the best perimeter defenders in the world. If the other team's best offensive option is a shooting guard or small forward, he'll lock him down. 

He won't have a glamorous role, but it'll be an important one. 

LeBron James

Team: Miami Heat

Position: SF/PF

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists

Olympic Experience: 2004 and 2008 teams

LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world. He already proved that to the NBA when he dominated the 2012 NBA Finals, and now he'll have a chance to do it during international competition. 

Given the incredible options at small forward, I'd expect James to play a lot of power forward in undersized lineups for the United States. 

He'll contribute in all facets of the game, much to absolutely no one's surprise. 

Kevin Love

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Position: PF

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 26.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, 0.5 blocks

Olympic Experience: None

Kevin Love is one of the best rebounders that the NBA has to offer, and he'll be even more effective if he can successfully adjust to the subtle rules differences between NBA and international play. 

This power forward will be counted on heavily when it comes to crashing the boards, but he'll also stretch the floor with his three-point shot and draw opposing big men out to the perimeter as a result. 

He's not an otherworldly defender, but he'll make a huge impact on both ends of the court if his nose for the boards is strong. 

Chris Paul

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Position: PG

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 19.8 points, 9.1 assists, 2.5 steals

Olympic Experience: 2008 team

With previous experience and an unmatched skill set, Chris Paul should serve as the starting point guard for Team USA. 

He brings leadership and toughness to the table, as well as an unparalleled—on this roster—ability to involve his teammates and shut down opposing floor generals. 

It's hard enough for NBA players who play against CP3 often to stop his constant shimmies and shakes. Just imagine how the international players going up against him for the first time are going to feel. 

Russell Westbrook

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: PG

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 23.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds

Olympic Experience: None

Russell Westbrook brings a whole new level of athleticism to the backcourt for Team USA. However, he won't get to use it too often, as his lack of experience should leave him as the team's third option at point guard. 

When Westbrook gets going, he can be unstoppable. He'll have to recognize just how good his teammates on this team are, though. 

If Westbrook can't become more of a "pure" point guard during this international competition, then he's going to be a detriment to the team. 

Deron Williams

Team: Brooklyn Nets

Position: PG

2011-2012 Per-Game Stats: 21.0 points, 8.7 assists, 1.2 steals

Olympic Experience: 2008 team

As if the United States wasn't stacked enough at point guard already, Deron Williams is the final member of the roster, going in alphabetical order. 

With his deadly crossover and the advantages he possesses in size and strength, this floor general is always difficult to stop. Unless Russell Westbrook beats him out during the practices leading up to competition, Williams should serve as the primary backup to Chris Paul. 

Williams has Olympic experience and should be a steady presence as Team USA seeks another gold medal.