Team USA: Breaking down the 2014 FIBA World Cup roster
By Seth Partnow
Bigs
Davis might be the only true big man to see extensive time. If he stays out of foul trouble, his ability to cover ground and block shots will astound opponents who have never faced any one quite like The Brow. On offense his mobility and soft hands make him the perfect player to utilize in the endless pick-and-roll schemes which have come to dominate individual play. Durant (and perhaps George, Parsons or even Korver) will see extensive time as the nominal power forward. But in the instance where more true bulk is needed, Millsap is a worthy addition.
Drummond is one of the easiest name to eliminate. With the Millsap replacing some of Love’s size and rebounding ability, His rawness on defense (as well as his cataclysmic free throw shooting) make him too much of a liability just for the sake of including another big body
This leaves the final spot to come down to Faried and Cousins. Faried’s enthusiasm and energy might earn him the nod. Especially compared with Cousins’ sometimes surly and explosive demeanor and the choice is understandable. Even if understandable, it would be incorrect as Boogie’s range of skills combined with his pure overpowering size mean he brings a dimension no other player on the provisional squad can offer, and he does this without the previously noted downsides attached to Drummond. If the gold medal game comes down to having a guy to bang bodies with Marc Gasol, Cousins would be sorely missed.
Who Will Make Team USA: Davis, Millsap, Faried
Who Should Make It: Davis, Millsap, Cousins
Predicted Roster: Starters: Curry, Thompson, George, Durant, Davis.
Bench: Rose, Lillard, Harden, Parsons, Beal, Millsap, Faried