Team USA unofficially solidified its Olympic men’s basketball roster Saturday when Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving reportedly committed to the Rio 2016 squad, and the 12-member squad was officially announced Monday.
The roster isn’t quite what it was in 2012 when the United States won its second consecutive gold medal at the London Games, as many star players — LeBron James, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, among others — pulled out for personal or injury-related reasons.
That said, this squad has more than enough ammunition to be dominant and still has an excellent chance to win gold in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final Olympic appearance.
Questions remain after many of the world’s best players withdrew, though, so we decided to take a closer look at the roster and rank its members from best to worst, then give our final prediction on the team’s starting five.
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Forward
Durant is one of the top three basketball players in the world, right alongside LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The 6-foot-10 wing and former NBA MVP will take over for James as this team’s captain and all-around best player.
2. Paul George, Indiana Pacers, Forward
George was promised a spot on the team, if healthy, after breaking his leg in a 2014 exhibition before the FIBA World Championships. But don’t be mistaken: The 26-year-old three-time All-Star isn’t a pity addition. He’s a top-10 player in the NBA, just finished his best season and is only getting better.
3. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings, Center
Sure, Boogie isn’t the most well-regarded NBA superstar, but who would when playing for the dysfunctional Kings? He’s an All-NBA talent who, when engaged, resembles a young Shaquille O’Neal. He’s a 6-foot-10 offensive and defensive force to be reckoned with, and he just added a 3-point shot to his arsenal.
4. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, Point Guard
Irving might have struggled to make this squad had Curry, Westbrook and Paul not said no, but the 24-year-old has proven he’s one of the best scoring guards in the league, as evidence by his far-more-than-Robin role to James’ Batman during their recent NBA championship run.
5. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Shooting Guard
Thompson has a pure shooting stroke that would make Jesus Shuttlesworth drool. He’s the second-best player on his team, but only because Curry, the two-time reigning NBA MVP, is there. He’s the ultimate heat check guy, this team’s best shooter and a terrific defensive player to boot.
6. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Forward
Green is the prototypical in-your-face alpha dog, emotional leader and hustle guy, and he has found his way from overlooked second-round draft pick to All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defensive and NBA champion teams because of it. He can match up against almost anyone, and his versatility to play as a small-ball center could prove invaluable.
7. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls, Guard
Another guy who has been overlooked, Butler is a former 30th overall pick who has made All-Star and All-NBA teams. He’s not a great shooter, but he finds ways to score in bunches and is a great defensive player.
8. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, Forward
Anthony will compete in his fourth Olympics, and another medal would make him USA Basketball’s most decorated Olympian ever. He has lost a step in his 30s, but he’s still one of the best pure scorers the NBA has ever seen. He has played some of his best basketball as a stretch-4 under Coach K, and he undoubtedly will play an important role before this Rio adventure is over.
9. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors, Guard
DeRozan’s talent still is on the rise, but he’s an All-Star-caliber player who knows how to score the rock and helped lead the Raptors to the Eastern Conference finals this season.
10. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers, Center
Jordan isn’t very gifted offensively, but he’s incredibly athletic and an excellent pick-and-roll player. He has become a max-contract player on the whims of his elite defensive gifts. He’ll back up Cousins and see minutes against bigger teams like Spain.
11. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, Point Guard
Lowry has become an All-Star after bouncing around on several different teams. He’s not overly fantastic at any one thing, but he’s above average in nearly every category and is an equally important piece to Toronto’s success. He’ll back up Irving as one of two true point guards on the team.
12. Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors, Forward
Someone has to get picked last, right? The fourth-year pro has been a starter for the Warriors’ championship squad for a few years and could fetch a maximum contract on the free-agent market this summer. He’s a nice depth player who rebounds, shoots and defends well.
STARTING FIVE PROJECTION
Kyrie Irving, point guard
Klay Thompson, shooting guard
Paul George, small forward
Kevin Durant, power forward
DeMarcus Cousins, center
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
