Projected 2012 U.S. Olympic Roster

[Bernman]

C Dwight Howard (26)/Greg Oden (24)
PF Amare Stoudemire (29)/Chris Bosh (28)/Kevin Love (23)
SF Lebron James (27)/Kevin Durant (23)
SG Dwyane Wade (30)/Brandon Roy (28)
PG Chris Paul (27)/Deron Williams (28)/Derrick Rose (23)

Wild Cards- Carmelo Anthony, OJ Mayo, Michael Beasley. Anthony was valuable to team USA the past couple of years primarily because of his 3-point shooting and versatility to be able to play the 4. But there will be less emphasis on those attributes in 2012. OJ Mayo could be an option as a 3rd point guard if Derrick Rose doesn't live up to first pick status and team USA still could use more shooting. Beasley needs to show he knows how to play within the team concept.

I'd expect many holdovers from the previous roster since so many of those guys are still extremely young, but by the same token we'll also see new bloods who are now unproven as they were during the previous olympics (i.e.: Paul + Williams).

Whoever is the general manager of the next version should shift the paradigm of the ideal roster composition to fit the new major rule changes. They'll be condusive to increased low post play, a reduced emphasis on 3-point shooting, and more slashing.

The 2008 version really struggled with the size of teams like Spain, Argentina, etc.; on the boards and in the post, because they needed to go to the smaller lineup to conform to the previous FIBA rules. Our bigs have never needed to become versatile with NBA rules so we had to use smaller frontcourts instead. The tables will be turned in 2012 though when team USA can use players with superior size/strength/athleticism to dominate down low.

[TrueRain]

I don't see the Big 3 coming back...at least if they're asked to do a 3 year commitment again.

[DMannOC]

I dont see why Amare would play. i think it will probably be more something like this.

Bosh/Oden
Beasley
Durant
Roy/mayo
Paul/Williams/Rose

[shaqfan1]

I don't think Wade should be included on the team. As we saw from 2004, we need outside shooting, which Wade can't give us. I'd much rather have someone like Mike Miller or Shane Battier on the team.

[Genjuro]

Guys like James, Anthony and Wade have already two Olympic Games under their shoulders. I don't think they are coming back. Other guys such as Howard, Paul or Bosh also played the 2006 WC. Some of them might skip the next call.

Unless a few new superstars emerges in these two next seasons, I think USA Basketball might struggle to put together a very competitive roster for the 2010 WC. That team posted by DMannOC looks rather beatable in just two years from now.

[ChocolateThundr]

Paul/WIlliams/Rose
Roy/Mayo
Durant/Green
Melo/Bosh
Howard/Oden/Bynum

we still need shooters though

[tkb]

Kobe has already said he's going to be back in 2012 if team management wants him to return, so I figure he's going to be there. Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh also said they will be back.

[Flash3]

I doubt Wade's going to be back, especially the way he plays with balls to the wall every time he's on that court, it just takes a toll on his body, plus he's going to be 30.....

LeBron probably will be back, though I doubt Kobe will be back if required to serve another 3 year commitment, because this takes away a lot of time for these players in the off-season to work on their games and add new things.

With that being said, I'll go with the starters for now, waiting to see some of these youngsters prove their potential; Oden, Mayo, Love, Horford etc.

Paul
Roy
LeBron or Caron Butler
Bosh
Oden or Bynum

btw, I'm surprised a lot of people aren't mentioning Butler as an option. He's one of the best SFs in the league at both ends of the court, and can carry a team offensively at times, and would be a lethal option for us off the bench.

[Wiz99]

I agree it's more likely than not Lebron, Kobe and Melo pass on another 3-year commitment. They did their duty.

But there's serious flaws with the rosters being put out there.

We need a dependable 3 point shooter (not Redd, who's far from elite - he's #43 in the NBA in 3% among guards). I'd MUCH rather see Kevin Martin as the backup SG. He shoots .404 from the arc, 19th among all guards. If he gets limited minutes behind Paul, Williams and Wade, that's ok - he's efficient (shoots .478 on 2s). But if we DO need him to play starter minutes, he's 3rd in the league in ppg among guards (23 ppg).

We also need a defensive stopper. I do NOT see Kevin Durant or Wade playing that role. I'd go with Shawn Marion as our starting SF. Do we really need another scorer on this squad? Too many scorers without role players = bronze. Give me a guy who can take the next generation of Manu Ginoblis and Rudy Fernandez's and shut them down. Doesn't matter if they play SG, SF or PF. The Matrix can shut them down.

And Howard is a liability. I was MUCH more impressed with Bosh. He was mobile in defending the pick and roll where Howard got us shredded. He hustled and got loose balls and offensive boards. He hits his FTs, as opposed to Mr. 45% from the line, making Hack-a-Howard a real option for other teams. I'd take Bosh and Oden as our Cs.

You'll need some legit scoring punch off the bench. Take Caron Butler. Pierce will be 36 by London.

Assuming Lebron, Kobe and Melo don't return:

G: Paul / Williams
G: Wade / Kevin Martin / Roy
F: Marion / Butler / Prince
F: Amare / Boozer (or West)
C: Bosh / Oden

[RockTHECasbah]

I would take out Shawn Old as **** Marion and put in Durant

[Bernman]

I'm pretty sure Melo was another guy who said he'd return if invited.

Kevin Martin will be in the mix as could Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, etc.; if some of the other swingmen won't return.

Stoudemire has never received a gold medal, so I think he'd be motivated to join. From the general manager's standpoint he'll be more valuable with the rule changes. I could see Paul Pierce in the Jason Kidd veteran leader role, finally accept an invitation at 34, being jealous of the experience his peers had. It will be his last chance.

Greg Monroe and Demar Derozan are prospects to watch out for. People have to accept there are names who haven't emerged yet, but will be among our best options. Howard was 22, James 23, Paul 23, Bosh 24, Anthony 24, Williams 24; and a lot of these prospects will be close in age to those staples.

Wiz99, that team is too old.

[candy for lunch]

I'd go with Shawn Marion as our starting SF. Do we really need another scorer on this squad? Too many scorers without role players = bronze. Give me a guy who can take the next generation of Manu Ginoblis and Rudy Fernandez's and shut them down. Doesn't matter if they play SG, SF or PF. The Matrix can shut them down.

Hahahah, Marion will be 34 years old by then. Like hell he'd be able to keep up with the younger guys.

[Flash is the Future]

I don't think Wade should be included on the team. As we saw from 2004, we need outside shooting, which Wade can't give us. I'd much rather have someone like Mike Miller or Shane Battier on the team.

Yes, as we saw from 2004, we need shooting, but did you not watch 2008? Assuming that Wade was willing and capable of putting up what he gave us this year, there's no reason for him to not be included.

[Cavsfan4lyfe]

Kobe, Deron, Bosh, Paul, and Dwight have said they would come back for 2012 already. Lebron said he's "definetely open to it" and Melo and Wade basically say maybe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/23/sports/olympics/23teambox.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Imagine how good we could be if all those guys are back and healthy. Lebron, Melo, Wade, Paul, Deron, Dwight, and Bosh would all be at or close to their primes in 4 years, while Kobe would probably still be one of the best players in the NBA. Just add some guys like Roy, Oden, Durant, Bynum, etc.

The 2010 Worlds is what we should really be looking forward to at this point though.

[dufflebagjesus]

i'd be shocked quite frankly if the vast majority of our core (kobe, lebron, melo, wade bosh, howard, paul, d will) wasn't back in 2012...perhaps one or two, but i dont see much turn over...boozer, prince, redd and of course kidd's spots will be fair game for the next international competition, leaving perhaps 5 roster spots open

oden, bynum, amare, durant, rose, beasley, iguodala, b roy, kevin martin, all names to seriously consider next time around as well as a bunch of vets who did not play this time around for one reason or another

i think the core is pretty much the same though

[dflash3]

I don't think Wade should be included on the team. As we saw from 2004, we need outside shooting, which Wade can't give us. I'd much rather have someone like Mike Miller or Shane Battier on the team.

Yes, as we saw from 2004, we need shooting, but did you not watch 2008? Assuming that Wade was willing and capable of putting up what he gave us this year, there's no reason for him to not be included.

Pretty much the same exact reason that was given as to why Wade shouldn't be on the 2008 roster.

[amb1ent]

no reason why kmart and gay shouldn't be in the mix by '10 or '12

[CircleCitysportsfan]

Kobe, Deron, Bosh, Paul, and Dwight have said they would come back for 2012 already. Lebron said he's "definetely open to it" and Melo and Wade basically say maybe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/23/sports/olympics/23teambox.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Imagine how good we could be if all those guys are back and healthy. Lebron, Melo, Wade, Paul, Deron, Dwight, and Bosh would all be at or close to their primes in 4 years, while Kobe would probably still be one of the best players in the NBA. Just add some guys like Roy, Oden, Durant, Bynum, etc.

The 2010 Worlds is what we should really be looking forward to at this point though.

Right, that's what our competion (spain and spain only) is preparing for. That's why I don't see Lebron, Wade, ..ect playing there. That's the big offseason for them. That team won't be as good as this one but I think they can still put together a team that can compete with Spain for gold. Hopefully next summer there will be some type of FIBA Americas tourney so we can get some chemistry for the 2010 WC.

[KF10]

I'm surprised that Martin isn't on several list. Martin is perfect under FIBA rules. And even he received consideration for the 2012 Olympics from Team USA coaches. That's tells how Martin is a great young player.

[NetsForce]

Please keep Paul Pierce off of any International USA basketball teams, he's in the Stephon Marbury category of had his chance and is never coming back.