Matt graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in May of 2007 majoring in TV Production. Matt is currently a writer at StaticMultimedia.com, TheBleacherReport.com, NationalSportsNation.com, SportsMixed.com, FanFever.com, Filmcatcher.com, 2 Much Swag, and TheHoopDoctors.com. Matt will provide you with insightful wit and an eager eye for sports.
Nearly one and a half years after The Redeem Team captured the gold medal in China it is time to start thinking of the next team that will not dominate its way to the top of international hoops.
Basketball has taken off since the Dream Team trounced its way to the top back in ‘92 but Team USA suffered early last decade as other teams placed a target on our backs.
As a country we got cocky and thought we could put anyone on our national team and our opponents would stick their tails between their legs, but that did not happen, and 2004 did, when we finished third.
I remember Dwyane Wade talking about how his bronze medal is now used as a coaster and the days of Team USA losing are long over.
Our national team is absolutely loaded, nearly impossible to make, and Jerry Colangelo is going to break more than a few hearts the next few years when he tells the likes of Rajon Rondo, Joe Johnson, Monta Ellis, and Derrick Rose, “Sorry guys, we are too good and we do not need you.”
It truly is unbelievable when players of that caliber get cut from a team but here is my 12-man Team USA 2012 roster.
C – Dwight Howard, Amar’e Stoudemire
PF – Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony
SF – LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala
SG – Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Brandon Roy
PG – Chris Paul, Deron Williams
First thing you should notice is only two PGs as opposed to the 2008 team that had three. There are more than a few players that can run the point on Team USA other than Paul and Williams; namely Kobe, LeBron, Roy, Iguodala, and Wade and they are just fine as third team PGs.
The 2008 team featured Carlos Boozer, who did not play, and there are going to be players that do not play on the 2012 team and I think it will be Andre Iguodala and/or Brandon Roy.
Michael Redd and Tayshaun Prince both made the 2008 team and will likely not be invited back but different players will assume their roles. Our sharpshooter is Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala is the second best perimeter defender on the team behind only Kobe.
Amar’e Stoudemire actually turned down the 2008 squad to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee but I hope he joins the 2010 team, as it will likely be his last chance to shine on the international stage.
One of the biggest questions is, will Kobe play?
I think he will play because after he won without Shaq last season and with the type of season he is having this year, I am done doubting him. If Jason Kidd can play as an old man, Kobe will too.
Over the course of the next two years, Team USA will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey) and the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England).
I know its a bit early for specific predictions given that many playerse will develop quite a bit before 2012 and may open some eyes on the selection committee in doing so, but based on their current status here is the list of players up for Team USA candidacy but will most likely be turned down and will have to wait until 2016.
Monta Ellis
Danny Granger
Joe Johnson
Rajon Rondo
Derrick Rose
Devin Harris
Kevin Martin
Brook Lopez
Josh Smith
John Wall
Trevor Ariza
Rudy Gay
David West
Tyreke Evans
Lamarcus Aldridge
Kevin Love
Al Jefferson
Al Horford
Andrew Bynum
Greg Oden
Gerald Wallace
Blake Griffin
Chris Kaman
Eric Gordon
Michael Beasley
Russell Westbrook
Brandon Jennings
O.J. Mayo
DeMar DeRozan
Jason Thompson
Anthony Randolph
Lou Williams
Spencer Hawes
Marreese Speights
Thaddeus Young
Mike Conley
Jonny Flynn
