London Calling: The 12 Players Who Will Make the 2012 Olympic Basketball Team

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing. Many of the players leading their teams on title runs this spring are also strong candidates to make the U.S. national team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

With a lockout looming (and one that probably won't be short), it's not out of the question to say that the next time Lebron James or Kobe Byrant could play a meaningful basketball game after this NBA season is next summer in England.

Several members from the 2008 "Redeem Team" and the 2010 World Championships have already expressed interest in returning to the national team. The red, white and blue will be the favorites, no matter who makes the final roster cut.

Starting Center: Dwight Howard

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 24: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic grabs a rebound against Jason Collins #34 of the Atlanta Hawks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 24, 2011 in Atlanta,

This is easily the biggest lock for the starting lineup.

Howard is the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and will once again be the defensive anchor for the Olympic team. He is the best center in professional basketball since Shaquille O'Neal was in his prime.

Starting Power Forward: Kevin Durant

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DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder heads up court against the Denver Nuggets in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nu

The star for the United States at the 2010 World Championships, Kevin Durant is now one of the best players in the world. He has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons and is the biggest reason why the Oklahoma City Thunder are the NBA’s team of the future.  

Durant may play small forward in the NBA, but a 6' 9" forward with a great three-point shot is ideal for power forward in international basketball.

Starting Small Foward: Lebron James

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MIAMI, FL - APRIL 18: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat drives into the lane during game two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on April 18, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User express

The NBA’s most contentious superstar will take his talents to England in a lineup that is even more star-studded than the one he plays for in South Beach.

Starting Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a dunk over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2011 at Staples Center in

Bryant may end up declining, but he is still playing at an elite level for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was the leader for the gold-medal-winning team in Beijing and will be the leader for another gold-medal-winning team in London.

Starting Point Guard: Chris Paul

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 24: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets reacts to a call during a game with the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at New Orleans Arena on April 24, 2011 in New Or

Here’s another player who will be returning from the “Redeem Team.”

Paul may not be a New Orleans Hornet in the summer of 2012, but he will be on the national team. The NBA’s best point guard will also be the starting point guard for this team.

Backup Center: Kevin Love

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Kevin Love 42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this P

The breakout player of the 2010-2011 NBA season has played his way on to the 2012 national team over the likes of Tyson Chandler and Andrew Bynum.

Love didn’t play much for the 2010 World Championship-winning team, but he will be the defensive anchor for the second unit next summer. The biggest weakness for the “Redeem Team” was their lack of a true backup center. This won’t be the case in London.  

Backup Power Forward: Blake Griffin

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes up for a dunk over Derrick Caracter #45 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 108-95. NOTE TO USER: U

Griffin’s rookie season was one of the most impressive in recent memory, even if he red-shirted for a year. He instantly established himself as one of the league’s rising stars and the power forward equivalent of Vince Carter.

Aside from his scoring ability, Griffin is also an excellent passer and rebounder.

Backup Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks attempts a shot agaist the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Th

Anthony was the starting power forward for the 2008 Olympic team, but he will get bumped to the B team with Kevin Durant now in the mix.

Anthony played for the national team in the 2004 and 2008, and will be making his third appearance in the Olympics next summer.

Backup Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat in action against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 21, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wade will once again anchor the backcourt for the second lineup.

He is one of the five best players in the world and an integral part for the success of the national team. Wade is also likely to see some playing time with the starting lineup.

Backup Point Guard: Derrick Rose

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Dahntay Jones #1 of the Indiana Pacers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Conseco Fieldhouse on April 23, 2011 in Indianapolis, I

He may be the favorite for the 2011 NBA MVP award, but Rose will still be a backup on this team.

This season, he has carried a Chicago Bulls team from mere playoff contention to the best record in the NBA. Rose is equally effective as a shoot-first or a pass-first point guard.

Third Point Guard: Deron Williams

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Point guard is the deepest position in today’s NBA, and the U.S. Olympic basketball team will once again have three players from the position.

This was the most difficult selection for the team with several great candidates.

Rajon Rondo is a triple-double threat every night, but his outside shooting is too weak for the international game.

The case can be made for the inclusion of John Wall, but he will have to wait until Rio de Janeiro in 2016 for his Olympic appearance.  

Stephen Curry is a great three-point shooter, but this team has more than enough scoring options.

The choice comes down to Russell Westbrook or Deron Williams. A strong argument can be made for either player, but Williams will be the team’s third point guard because he is more of a pass-first player and has better outside shooting.

12th Man: Chris Bosh

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat blocks a shot by Thaddeus Young #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Center on April 21, 2011 in Philadelphia,

The argument can be made that the final spot on this team should go to a great three-point shooting guard like Brandon Roy or a guard-forward such as Danny Granger.

This team already has enough depth at shooting guard and small forward, as well as adequate three-point shooting. The 2008 team had Michael Redd on its roster to be their de facto three-point specialist. However, he only scored 25 points in seven games and didn't even play in the gold medal game against Spain.

The biggest weakness for the "Redeem Team" was their lack of big man depth, with only one center and two power forwards on the roster. While Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are capable of playing the power forward position in international games, depth is still needed up front.

Bosh was a member of that "Reedem Team" and is still one of the top power forwards in the NBA, despite his role as the third wheel for the Miami Heat. LaMarcus Aldridge may be more deserving of the 12th spot, but LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will make sure their fellow Heatle isn't left behind for the Olympics next summer.

The Final Cut

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BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Kobe Bryant #10 of the United States celebrates on the podium after defeating Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game during Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on August 24, 2008 in Beij

Starting Lineup:

C: Dwight Howard

PF: Kevin Durant

SF: LeBron James

SG: Kobe Bryant

PG: Chris Paul

Second Lineup

C: Kevin Love

PF: Blake Griffin

SF: Carmelo Anthony

SG: Dwyane Wade

PG: Derrick Rose

Bench Warmers:

Third PG: Deron Williams
12th Man: Chris Bosh