FIBA World Cup Preview: Team USA

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Aug 20, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The United States bench reacts during the second half of a game against the Dominican Republic at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Roster

Team USA made the last round of roster cuts following their send-off game against Puerto Rico in New York City on Friday. Damian Lillard, Chandler Parsons, Kyle Korver, and Gordon Hayward were the players cut.

Here’s who Coach Mike Krzyzewski brought along to Spain:

Guards: Steph Curry, Derrick Rose, James Harden, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving and DeMar DeRozan.

Frontcourt: Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried, Rudy Gay, DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, and Mason Plumlee.

Ultimately, Coach K’s hands were tied a little bit by who was available to go to Spain. Originally, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, Paul George, and Kevin Durant were planning on representing the USA in Spain. Griffin withdrew due to injury. Love withdrew because Cleveland and Minnesota couldn’t risk him getting injured and throwing a wrench in the trade talks. Durant withdrew because he was tired and needed to get that paper from his shoe contract. And, George broke his leg.

Because the four best players can’t compete in Spain, Coach K had to get creative with who this team could use in the world cup. By ‘creative,’ I mean he took anyone who could possibly help the team if things didn’t work out. Somehow, that meant Plumlee made the roster over Korver, Parsons, Lillard, and Hayward, and Paul Millsap, John Wall, Bradley Beal, all much better players than Plumlee. Obviously, size does matter in selection process, and I guess going to Duke matters, too.

It’s quite obvious, however, this roster is built to beat one team: Spain. With Serge Ibaka and the Gasol bros., Spain has an advantage in the paint against the United States. Coach K had to bring any and all big bodies to throw at them throughout the game, just in case the United States’ main frontcourt players, Davis and Faried get in foul trouble.

For the guards, Curry, Rose, Harden, and Thompson should be the main rotation. I think there will three of these four players on the court almost all the time for Team USA. Other than Davis, Curry, Rose, Harden, and Thompson should be carrying the scoring load. Irving and DeRozan will see some playing time, but I think it will be marginally less than Curry, Rose, Harden, and Thompson.

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