The 2016 Olympics are right round the corner and while USA basketball hasn’t finalized its roster just yet, we know enough at this point to be able to accurately predict the likely 12-man roster. Here is a look at who’ll represent USA at the 2016 games on the hardwood:
Center
- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Davis hadn’t even started his NBA career when he won gold with the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics and he has developed in to the league’s most dominant big man since then. The 22-year-old Davis recorded the fourth-highest NBA player efficiency rating of all-time behind only Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and LeBron James last season and he is the favorite to start for the US in 2016. Cousins had his share of highs and lows with the Kings but he is the type of powerful big man that can dominate in the paint at both ends of the floor. With his pure strength, he should be a lock to make the team after helping the U.S. win gold at last summer’s FIBA World Cup.
Power Forward
- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Cousins could play some time at the power forward position and the U.S. could go small at the spot with so many versatile players that can be moved around the lineup. However, Griffin is a lock to make the team as a pure power forward. A meniscus tear kept him out of the 2012 Olympic games but he is back at full strength and is exactly the type of energetic an explosive forward that the U.S. will bank on to run the floor.
Small Forward
- Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron has remained non-committal to team USA in a spot that could ultimately go to Kawhi Leonard but the management team will undoubtedly leave the door open for him as along as possible. If everything goes right, they will have James in their starting lineup. Durant has been a staple for team USA and while his health is still a question mark, there is a good chance that when the 2016 Olympic Games roll around, he is the most lethal pure scorer in the tournament.
It has been a little over a year since George suffered a gruesome broken leg at a team USA scrimmage game last summer and management hasn’t forgotten about him. G.M. Bryan Colangelo explained that “we’ve told him we have a spot for him”. The Pacers want George to play at the power forward spot this season and he will be a good fit off the bench as a versatile player that can be moved around the floor based on the team’s needs on a situational basis.
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Shooting Guard
- James Harden, Houston Rockets
- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
- Paul George, Indiana Pacers
The U.S. backcourt is absolutely loaded with Harden the most likely starter for them at the shooting guard position. Harden has proven how dominant he can be as an MVP candidate for the Rockets and there is no doubt he can hold down the starting job for the U.S. Thompson is in the mix as well and while he isn’t a guarantee to make it, there is a good chance they take his size and pure shooting ability as an obvious mismatch for other teams that can provide some offense off the bench.
Point Guard
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
- Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
The point guard position is fully loaded with Curry, Westbrook, Paul and Irving all in the mix. Curry is the league’s reigning MVP and the likely first choice to start after leading Golden State to an NBA title this past season. However, Paul and Westbrook have both certainly done enough to challenge for the starting job. Irving is the intriguing option after he earned MVP honors at the 2014 midseason classic. The U.S. could use both Westbrook and Curry at the shooting guard spot if they need and that would open up room for Paul and Irving to get more playing time.
