Why Team USA Basketball Must Use a 'Positionless' Lineup

With the Team USA basketball team looking like a juggernaut in their first two contests in London and set as the overwhelming favorite for an Olympic repeat, it would be easy for head coach Mike Krzyzewski to rest on his laurels.

It's likely that the Americans could simply out-talent the opposition and still skate their way to the medal round.

But that's not what's best for Team USA.

If the U.S. coaching staff wants to optimize their shot at a gold medal, the team still needs a massive adjustment: a switch to a full-time "small-ball" lineup.

That lineup would move Tyson Chandler, the team's only veteran center, to the bench as LeBron James takes over the center spot.

Chandler has struggled to stay out of foul trouble for Team USA and has been less than effective even when on the court. Moving Chandler out of the starting lineup allows Carmelo Anthony, who poured in 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting in Team USA's 110-63 victory over Tunisia Tuesday, to reclaim his starting spot after losing it to Kevin Durant in exhibition play.

But more important than whom a small-ball lineup brings in and out is the endless possibilities it opens up for Krzyzewski.

In Team USA's exhibition against Spain, their last before the London Games, the coaching staff showed just how deadly going small could be. Using the aforementioned lineup, Team USA wreaked matchup havoc against the bigger Spanish lineup. Small-Ball USA used its massive athletic advantage to create turnovers, resulting in a plus-19 point differential.

Compare that with a paltry plus-three differential when using a traditional lineup, and it's curious that Krzyzewski hasn't employed small-ball tactics more in group play.

While the aforementioned athleticism advantage is one factor, Small-Ball USA's biggest strength is opening up a "positionless" system.

As it currently stands, Team USA relies on strong team defense to create an abundance of transition opportunities for their offense. Bringing James, Anthony and Durant into the same lineup doesn't hurt defensively and may be the most deadly open-court combination in Olympic history.

But it also helps the Americans find a reliable half-court set. As it stands, Team USA relies far too heavily on isolation in the half-court.

If necessary, moving to a nontraditional lineup helps solve that by opening up an easy-to-learn half-court set: the Princeton offense.

In the news recently because of the Los Angeles Lakers' switch, the Princeton is an offense that relies heavily on ball movement, spacing and versatility.

In Team USA's small-ball set, they have five players on the floor that can pass, shoot and dribble from anywhere on the court. They are, quite literally, the prototypical Princeton offense.

The switch to a "positionless" lineup makes Team USA better in the half-court, transition and won't leave them weak defensively. Against teams like Spain who rely on their big men, Team USA's lineup would force a counter small-ball attack, weakening the opposition.

If Coach K wants to put his team in the best position to win a gold medal, he'll make the switch and do it now.