Injuries reshape USA Basketball roster
From the day he took over the U.S. national men's basketball program in 2005, Jerry Colangelo has preached flexibility.
And with the 2012 Summer Olympics rapidly approaching and injuries decimating his original 20-man player pool, Colangelo's mantra never has been stronger.
Colangelo, the USA Basketball chairman, and coach Mike Krzyzewski were at Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday to promote the team's July 12 Olympic tuneup against the Dominican Republic at the Thomas & Mack Center. But who will represent the U.S. in that game and in London won't be known until June 18, the final day the 12-man roster can be turned in.
"I've said it many times, this is a fluid process," Colangelo said. "Things happen. Hopefully, there won't be any more injuries. But we'll probably look to add one or two players to our pool and select our 12."
Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls are the latest to join the injury list. Howard recently had back surgery, and Rose tore his ACL in his left knee on Saturday, joining Chauncey Billups (Achilles tendon) of the Los Angeles Clippers and LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) of the Portland Trail Blazers on the sidelines.
Howard's absence will be particularly noticeable, because he was a low-post threat inside and gave Team USA a physical presence around the basket.
"It may change the way we want to play, especially with pick-and-rolls and low-post play," Krzyzewski said of losing Howard and Rose. "We feel badly for those guys. Dwight was the most physical player we had, and Derrick did a great job for us at the (2010) World Championships. I don't know anyone who pushes the ball quicker than Derrick."
Deron Williams (calf strain) and Kevin Love (neck strain, concussion) also finished the NBA season with injury issues. But their teams missed the playoffs, and Colangelo said he expects both to be ready come July 5 when training camp opens at UNLV's Mendenhall Center. The team will train daily through July 11, then play the Dominican Republic on July 12 before moving to Washington, D.C., to continue preparations.
Colangelo would not say who he is considering bringing into the player pool. Kentucky forward Anthony Davis, expected to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft, is a possibility, as is Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks is the only center on the roster, though Chris Bosh can play in the middle against smaller teams.
Normally, Colangelo would favor someone with equity in the national team program. And though neither Cousins nor Davis has much international experience, both supposedly want to be part of the process, and both could provide needed size and depth.
One player Colangelo said remains under consideration is forward Lamar Odom, a key member of the gold medal-winning World Championship team. The Dallas Mavericks released Odom this season.
"I'm one who is willing to give someone a second chance," Colangelo said. "I would like to think he'd like to put this season behind him. His Dallas episode hurt his image.
"If he comes in and shows he can be a contributor, and his attitude is good and he wants to be here, why not? As far as USA Basketball is concerned, he's in the pool, and we'll see how it plays out."
Colangelo said he is not blaming the condensed NBA schedule for the injuries to Team USA's player pool. But he said the lockout has created concerns, particularly for those potential team players who might be competing in the NBA Finals in late June after the Olympic roster has been submitted.
"I will tell you it's not an ideal situation," Colangelo said. "We're paying a price for the condensed NBA season. But we're not going to put our players in a position to risk injury. The reality is it's a different day, and we have to play the cards that were dealt us."
Tickets for the exhibition game, priced from $10 to $95, are on sale at the Thomas & Mack box office and UNLVTickets.com.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
