Summer Olympics: Top Five U.S. Male Olympians

The four years of waiting has finally concluded, and everything is set for the 2012 London Olympics.

After his dominating performance in Beijing in the 2008 Games, Michael Phelps returns to defend his crown as king of the pool for U.S. swimming, while such giants as LeBron James and Kevin Durant look to dominate on the hard court.

There should be plenty of American favorites who come away with gold, but quite a few surprising victories are sure to transpire as well.

As the Games are set to fill our television screens for the next 17 days, there are many male and female athletes wearing red, white and blue who will be worth watching in London.

Today we count down the top five men of the United States' Olympic team, who are all destined to make a huge impact across the pond.

Honorable Mentions: Tyson Gay and Steven Lopez

Many consider Tyson Gay the top American sprinter going into these Olympic Games, so it's easy to wonder how he's not on this list.

But even with his strong return from yet another bout with the injury bug, Gay is still far behind Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash, and also may finish behind a fellow American, Justin Gatlin.

He has managed to come back in supreme fashion on very short notice, but his drought of no gold medals in the games looks very likely to continue.

Meanwhile, Steven Lopez is looking to continue his medal success in the Olympics. He won gold in 2000 and 2004 in taekwondo, though he disappointingly finished with only a bronze in the Beijing Games of '08.

Lopez has continued to carry the United States over the years in his respected sport, along with his two siblings, Diana (who also returns to the Olympics this year) and Mark.

The 33-year-old Lopez may be running out of time in the Olympics, so this could be his last chance to add more gold around his neck. Don't be surprised if he does just that.

5. Kevin Durant, Basketball

When you think of the powerhouse that is the United States' basketball team, the first name you'll likely think of is LeBron James.

But don't count Kevin Durant out of being the key factor for the U.S. in London. Durant, the electric scorer and young superstar, is well-positioned to lead the Americans in the points department, and is sure to be a fan-favorite in London.

The 23-year-old phenom has become one of the biggest faces in the sport, right along with Olympic teammates Kobe Bryant and James.

He drained 7-of-11 three-point attempts in a warm-up against Argentina that ended much closer, 86-80, than it should have. Without the "Durantula" in that game, the team may have been coming into the Olympics pressing after a surprising loss.

Durant brings another great dynamic to a roster that is full of unmatched talent, and one that will undoubtedly be not only favored, but expected to win gold.

4. Justin Gatlin, Track

While Tyson Gay may be receiving more publicity in London, Justin Gatlin will be getting better results.

After beating Gay at the U.S. Trials, Gatlin has set his sights on defeating Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash in London.

It seems like forever since Gatlin was the fastest man in the world, a gold medalist in the 100 back at the 2004 Athens Games. He later served a four-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance, but has come back near the top of his game.

But the question is, is he faster than Bolt? On a day that both are their strongest, Gatlin would likely not beat the Jamaican star. But all it would take is a slight slip out of the blocks for Gatlin to take back gold.

He's no longer in his prime, but Gatlin is sure to give the U.S. a shot at gold, and has a very solid chance of at least reaching the podium across the pond.

3. LeBron James, Basketball

Fresh off his first NBA title triumph, LeBron James is on top of the basketball world. Don't expect anything to change when he steps on the floor in the U.K.

James will be the leader of this squad, and should overpower and out-finesse any one that's matched-up against him.

If the Americans can find a way to post-up James at various moments of the game, especially with their shortage of big men, the Americans will go from having an advantage to being nearly unstoppable.

The Americans are NOT the Dream Team of 1992, but they are clearly the darlings of this tournament, and it all starts with James.

His scoring threat is undeniable, and his defense suffocating. But James also will find a way to get everyone involved.

And the only thing worse than having to try to stop a superstar like James, is having to stop him along with the rest of a stacked roster that the Americans will feature in London.

2. Michael Phelps, Swimming

A collective scratching of heads may have occurred upon seeing this name at number two on this list, but I assure there is no typo here.

Michael Phelps doesn't have the same drive he had when he was in Beijing, but remains untouched when it comes to talent.

After eight gold medals in 2008, Phelps has a chance to add several more to the overflowing collection he possesses.

There is only one other person in the pool that truly can stop Phelps from having a heavy haul of golds, but we'll get to him in a minute. Meanwhile Phelps is giving one last run at the games, attempting to go out with a splash (no pun intended).

His battles in the individual medley races should be ones for the ages, but he looks like the clear favorite to win both the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly events, along with three relay races.

With five gold medals, Phelps wouldn't come near his eight of '08, but would have a great final performance, one that would cap of his career as the best swimmer of all time.

1. Ryan Lochte, Swimming

Ryan Lochte used to take swimming lightly, with certain bad eating and training habits. But no one has been more dedicated over the past four years in his sport.

And it's all about to pay off.

Lochte has went from the swimmer that should be more to the swimmer that is everything we thought he could be. He will likely swim six events in London, and will face off against Michael Phelps in two.

The 200 and 400-meter IM races will be the highlight races of the Olympic Games, and to the winner goes the title of world's best swimmer.

Lochte will race in at least three relays, which he will participate in with Phelps. Then there will be the 200-meter freestyle, where his chances have grown with Phelps having dropped out of the event.

His 200 backstroke matchup versus Ryosuke Irie of Japan will be a tough matchup, but the race is Lochte's specialty, so he should bring home gold in the event.

Which leaves his two showdowns with Phelps. Lochte's extreme increase in endurance will make the 400 IM much closer than it would be in year's past between the two great swimmers.

But that's how it's been for Lochte, who has become more committed than ever before. He is now prepared to be the most dominant swimmer the world has to offer.

And the best American athlete.