U.S. men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff have some difficult choices ahead of them over the next few days. By mid-week, the 12-man roster has to be set for the World Championship.
As far as decisions are concerned, it's only the beginning.
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| Bowen is the stopper who makes the U.S. team cut. (AP) |
Who goes? It's a tough choice, but I'd cut Shane Battier.
With Gilbert Arenas backing out with a groin strain Monday, only one cut must be made. For me, it comes down to Antawn Jamison, Battier and Bruce Bowen for the final two spots.
Jamison is the toughest to let go, because he does fill a need with his versatility. He's an able scorer who can handle the power forward spot on a team that lacks size.
Battier is a great facilitator who fills up the U.S. team's camaraderie quotient, but he loses out to Bowen for the final spot. Why? Two reasons. Bowen is the team's elder statesman, and considering he was asked to be a part of this program, it makes sense he'd be rewarded with an opportunity to win a gold medal. Realistically, that has to happen this summer, as the likelihood of him making the Olympic Team in 2008 at the age of 37 isn't good.
Beyond sentimental reasons, Bowen remains the top perimeter defender in the NBA, and the plan was to stock the roster with a stopper. Outside of Ron Artest, he's the best there is.
Bowen fits in as one of the many role players Krzyzewski has at his disposal. That's one of the strengths of this team. Even the coaching staff, with Mike D'Antoni running the international-friendly offense and Jim Boeheim drawing up zones, has its defined roles.
Dwyane Wade is the go-to guy. He's developing an aura of invincibility that this young American squad badly needs. Although this team is being built as a collection of talents committed to sharing the basketball, Wade has to get the ball in clutch situations.
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Carmelo Anthony is my second option. No one is playing at a higher level, and thanks to an improved jumper, he'll be a matchup problem for all international small forwards.
I'd round out my frontcourt with Elton Brand, the most complete power forward on the U.S. roster, and Dwight Howard, the top rebounder and shot blocker. My point guard would be Chris Paul, because he has that certain level of poise that all the great ones have. There's no one better to control the tempo and get the team into its sets.
That leaves LeBron James to play a vital role as the sixth man. As the team's most versatile player, you can see James check in at guard if the U.S. wants to go big, or come in to play some power forward in order to go small. Right off the bat, Krzyzewski has an instant matchup problem for opposing coaches to have to solve.
