Breaking Down Team USA's Basketball Roster
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Breaking Down Team USA's Basketball Roster

Looking by positions and predicting starters.

8
Breaking Down Team USA's Basketball Roster
Rio 2016

As the Olympics are getting closer, we found out last week that the official roster came out, and it isn't as star studded as it has been in a while. It is still a a quality roster with a bunch of all stars. Only two members of the current roster were on the team during the 2012 Olympics and that was Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.

Point guards

Their are two point guards on the roster: Kyrie Irving and Kyle Lowry. Lowry was an all star this year with Toronto. Irving wasn't an all star but was a key contributor in the Cavaliers' championship run, hitting the game-winning three over Stephen Curry. I think Kyrie Irving will get the start, but also Lowry will be getting some decent minutes.

Shooting guards

There are three shooting guards on the roster: Klay Thompson, DeMar Derozan and Jimmy Butler. Klay Thompson is one half of the splash brothers and is a three-point specialist. Derozan, who was selected to the 2016 All-Star Game with Toronto, just recently signed a massive contract extension. Finally Jimmy Butler was also an all star with Chicago. I think Butler will get the start over the other two because Butler is a complete player.

Small forwards

This could be Team USA's best position group, and they have four amazing small forwards: Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Harrison Barnes and Paul George. Durant is a former MVP and scoring champ, who is going to sign a massive contract sometime this week. Anthony was a big part of the 2012 gold-medal team, and a nine-time all star. Barnes was a member of the Golden State Warriors, who made back to back finals, winning one. Lastly you have Paul George, the all star with Indiana. He suffered a broken leg during a Team USA scrimmage in 2014. In the past, we have seen Coach K run two small forwards, playing the other at the power forward position; given this, I think Carmelo will play the three, and Durant will play the four, given that he is super tall and athletic.

Power forward

There is only one power forward on the roster, and that is Draymond Green. Green is a solid all around player, Green was also a part of the back-to-back finals appearance with the Warriors. As I mentioned with Coach K's tendencies, Draymond wont be starting but will be getting some good minutes.

Centers

There are two centers on the roster: DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan. Cousins was an all star this year with Sacramento and is King's best player by far. Jordan this year was selected to the all-NBA first team and defensive first team. I think Cousins will get the start because with the style of offense they run, I think Cousins will be a better fit that Jordan

I think this roster is a gold-medal-winning roster, and that is my prediction. The team shouldn't have a hard time, but I don't see them blowing teams out every game.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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