Team USA Needs a Trim

As of right now Team USA is faced with a 32 man roster, of which only 17 players will make the final cut and be involved in tournament play, starting August 22 in Las Vegas. The US will try to qualify for a spot in the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing. Here's the 32 names on the list right now:

Carmelo Anthony, Forward
Gilbert Arenas, Guard
Shane Battier, Forward
Chauncey Billups, Guard
Carlos Boozer, Foward
Bruce Bowen, Forward
Elton Brand, Forward
Kobe Bryant, Guard
Tyson Chandler, Center
Kevin Durant, Guard/Forward
Kirk Hinrich, Guard
Dwight Howard, Center
Lebron James, Forward
Antawn Jamison, Forward
Joe Johnson, Guard
Jason Kidd, Guard
Shawn Marion, Forward
Brad Miller, Center
Mike Miller, Guard
Adam Morrison, Forward
Greg Oden, Center
Lamar Odom, Forward
Chris Paul, Guard
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Tayshaun Prince, Forward
JJ Redick, Guard
Michael Redd, Guard
Luke Ridnour, Guard
Amare Stoudamire, Center
Dwyane Wade, Guard
Deron Williams, Guard

There you have it. As you can see it may come down to some tough cuts. But for starters, take Elton Brand out of the list. Then remove JJ Redick, Adam Morrison Luke Ridnour and Mike Miller. I believe at this point in all of their careers there is at least one better player on the list than them. The toughest choices would seem to come at who to keep/remove in point guards and centers. I'd keep Kidd, Paul and Billups around. Eliminate Hinrich, as much as I am a Bulls fan he doesn't compare to the 3 aforementioned. In terms of Centers, Id keep Stoudamire, Oden and Howard. Take Miller out of the list, I believe he's been injury prone at this stage in his career. The other 3 names, even Oden will own Miller in a 1 on 1 matchup, and can take on the likes of big men from other countries. While Miller has been considered a defenisve gem, Howard, Oden and Stoudamire give a nicer intimidation factor in the lane.

Here's my final roster, based on basically eliminating guys who don't measure up to the talent of the other names. You can argue this player or that based on minor aspects. Reddick, Ridnour, Morrison, Durant and Chandler I eliminated based on they have talent but are still expanding on that talent. Deron Williams, who had a breakout season is going to be great in the league. However, comparing him to Kidd, Billups and Paul, I think many would take those names first. Other guys like Brand who is injured and Miller/Odom, who are recent injury questions are easy to decide as well.

I think this final 17 is tough to argue against. It's a team full of the best the NBA has to offer and that's what the original Dream Teams were all about. The past few times around there seemed to be guys looking for individual notoriety. I feel having the big 3 in Melo, James and Wade is great, but you have to believe these guys each want the spotlight and are competitive amongst themselves. But having leadership of guys like Kidd, Billups and Pierce will most likely help with that. There wasn't much at the point guard position before and now its fully loaded. With J Kidd, Paul and Billups at point and guys like Kobe, Melo, Redd, Johnson to shoot as well as the inside presence of the big men on this list, we should be playing in the 08 Olympics.

Love & Basketball's Final 17 Man Roster:

Carmelo Anthony, Forward
Gilbert Arenas, Guard
Chauncey Billups, Guard
Carlos Boozer, Foward
Kobe Bryant, Guard
Dwight Howard, Center
Lebron James, Forward
Antawn Jamison, Forward
Joe Johnson, Guard
Jason Kidd, Guard
Shawn Marion, Forward
Greg Oden, Center
Chris Paul, Guard
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Michael Redd, Guard
Amare Stoudamire, Center
Dwyane Wade, Guard