2016 Projected USA Olympic Roster

America will look to continue it's basketball dominance of recent Olympics, taking home gold medals in both 2008 and 2012. The United States clearly has the most talent in international play. There will be plenty of NBA All-Stars that will get left off the 12 man roster. Coach Mike Krzyzewski and president Jerry Colangelo will have a difficult time sending some of the most talented players in the world home, but no matter who they cut the team they choose to send to Rio in 2016 will be the favorite for gold.

It is hard to predict the future, whether it be players getting injured or players stepping away from the team for personal reasons, without taking those scenarios into consideration this is how I believe the roster would shape out.

Guards

Steph Curry- 2015 NBA MVP, 2X All-Star, 2015 NBA 1st Team, 2014 NBA 2nd Team, Named to Men’s National Team 2014

James Harden- 3x All-Star, 2x NBA 1st Team, 2013 NBA 3rd Team, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal

Kyrie Irving- 2012 Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star, 2015 NBA 3rd Team, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP

Chris Paul- 8X All-Star, 4X NBA 1st Team, 2X NBA 2nd Team, 2011 NBA 3rd Team, 2008/2012 Olympic Gold Medals, 2005 USA Basketball CO Athlete of the Year

Klay Thompson- 2015 NBA All-Star/NBA 3rd Team, Named to Men’s National Team 2014

Russell Westbrook- 4X All-Star/NBA 2nd Team, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal.

Forwards

LeBron James- 4X NBA MVP, 11X All-Star, 9X NBA 1st Team, 2X NBA 2nd Team, 2012 USA Basketball Athlete of the Year, 2008/2012 Olympic Gold Medals, 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal

Blake Griffin- 3X NBA 2nd Team, 2015 NBA 3rd Team, 4X All-Star, Member of 2012 Olympic Team but withdrew because of injury

Kevin Durant- 2014 NBA MVP, 5X NBA 1st Team, 6X All-Star, 2010 USA Basketball Athlete of the Year, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal

Carmelo Anthony- 2X NBA 2nd Team, 4X NBA 3rd Team, 8X All-Star, 2006 USA Basketball Athlete of the Year, 2008/2012 Olympic Gold Medals, 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal

Centers

Anthony Davis- 2X NBA 1st Team/All-Star, 2012 Olympic Gold Medal

DeMarcus Cousins- 2015 NBA 2nd Team/All-Star, part of 2014 FIBA World Cup Gold Medal Team.

Roster info courtesy of USAB.com

Photos courtesy of NBC.com

#NBA #USA