Jerry Colangelo Comments on Blake Griffin's Team USA Standing

Los Angeles Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin has been sidelined since Christmas Day due to a quad injury and a fractured hand. He suffered the latter of those injuries when he punched a Clippers equipment manager.  

The unsavory off-court incident won't have any bearing on Griffin's chances of representing the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, though, according to USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, per Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver.

Griffin was selected to join the U.S. in the 2012 Summer Games in London but was forced to sit out due to a knee injury. There isn't a lot of time remaining for Griffin to make a good impression if he truly does want to suit up for his homeland in Rio.

"We will select the 12 players at the end of June when the NBA season and the playoffs are over," Colangelo said Wednesday, per USA Basketball on Twitter.

The Americans will field plenty of elite talent and be a top contender for the gold medal regardless of whether Griffin is on the roster. 

Given the 26-year-old's recent injury history and the fact he pulled out of the 2014 World Cup pool, Colangelo—who was disappointed in Griffin's decision in that instance—may be inclined to give a roster spot to someone else.

Playing smaller and capitalizing on superior athleticism is something the U.S. should consider as it is. Studs on the wing like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony can all move to the 4 and be dominant against Olympic competition.

Colangelo will likely stick with the 2012 winning formula as much as possible, with players like James, Durant and Anthony bound to return. Anthony Davis also figures to contribute more this time around if he's brought back aboard.

The emergence of guards, such as Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, give the U.S. plenty of perimeter firepower on paper and diminish the need for Griffin as well.