2016 Olympic Team Finalists

courtesy: nba.com

It's usually the time when I'm complaining about the all-star selections, and believe it's coming, but today's topic is about another type of selection.  Arguably the more prestigious selection of the Olympic team. 

It's down to the 30 finalists, and Team USA has an embarrassment of riches.  Even still, I thought I could whip up my list of 12 with no problem.  Wrong.  I figured out my starting 5 relatively easy, but 5 of the 7 subs was mind-wracking.  

When the list of finalists came out, people were complaining about the lack of "player X" or "player Y."  What the common fan fails to realizes is that this isn't the all-star game.  It's not picked by fan-favorites.  In fact, the best player in the world could choose not even to play.  Case in point: fresh off shutting down LeBron for his Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard opted to not play in the FIBA championships in '14 even though he would have been a shoe-in to make the team.  Would you like a better example?  In '96 Michael Jordan didn't play for the Dream Team, and I'm pretty sure he was considered the best player ever at that point, let alone during a season where the Bulls won 72 games and he won MVP and Finals MVP. 

Some talents are locks to make the team for sure.  It doesn't mean however the rest of the team is made up of the second best player available, followed by the third, and so on. So if you happen to make your picks that way, I guarantee about half of your picks will be wrong.  Coach K looks for chemistry guys and guys who fit certain roles more so than overall ability.  And you can't argue with his success.  

With all that in mind, here's how I made my picks based on those criteria. 

Centers- 

Small ball may be sweeping the NBA, but it's been prominent in Europe for much longer.  So it's obviously very prevalent in the Olympics this year and in years past.  A traditional center isn't needed, especially with candidates Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan and their abysmal free throw shooting.  Nope, for my starting center I'm picking 2012 Olympian Anthony Davis who can easily play the center position and keep up with the fast paced offense.  

As for a backup, I think LaMarcus Aldridge fits the theme of the team nicely.  And obviously they can downgrade even smaller with some of the guys I'm about to talk about. 

Forwards- 

These were without question the hardest to sort out.  Let's face it, besides Curry, every other elite player that is in the conversation for best player in the game is a forward.  That's what you call "good problems."  And quietly moving himself into the "elite" category is Kawhi Leonard who will be definitely starting on my team.  Whoever is the best player on the opposing team, put Kawhi on them.  I don’t' care what their position is. He can handle it.  His mission is defense, and he will thrive.  If he gets you a couple 3's a game, that's just gravy.  

Surprisingly my other forward is Carmelo Anthony.  Melo is an Olympic vet, and thrives during these games.  Why?  Because the defense is so focused on the other 4 players they inevitably forget about Melo and he is wide open for a 3.  So on my fictional team, Melo's job is to stand in the corner and jack 3's the whole game.  He should love it.  

My backup forwards are ridiculous, and I mean that in a good way. First man off the bench has to be LeBron.  I honestly think he will probably start in real life, and I know it will be at the expense of Kawhi, but I think Kawhi has totally deserved it. Plus, I have other plans for Mr. James.  As in, he's the ultimate Swiss-army knife.  You can sub out any of the starters and place LeBron in seamlessly.  End of story.   

Possibly another candidate for 6th man is Kevin Durant.  (That seems so weird just writing it.)  Durant's job is simple, score and score some more.  Carmelo's shot isn't falling?  No problem, put in Durant and let him abuse some defenders.  With Durant's wingspan, he could easily play center, due to the lack of physicality in the Olympics.  

Another Swiss army knife off the bench is Draymond Green.  Between himself and LeBron they could have a lineup of all forwards in and have no difficulties taking care of the ball. 

Finally, my last forward is Kenneth Faried.  He excelled in the '14 Olympics, and brings an energy to the team that little can match. I doubt he would play much, but if he does I'll expand on it a bit more when I list a certain guard.  

Guards-

The first guard picked is the true "no-brainer" pick.  Steph Curry has to be on this team.  I think he will fair even better in the Olympic-style of play (if that's even possible at this point). Shockingly, I wouldn't have him running the point.  I want him coming off screens and shooting as his heart desires.  He doesn't need to worry about the offense.  

Another person who excelled in the 2014 FIBA was Kyrie Irving.  I think he can shake and bake all he would like because he has plenty of options he can pass to once he breaks his opponent’s ankles.  Again he is another player that loves the 3, so he fits right in.  So Irving rounds out my starting 5 along with Curry, Davis, Anthony, and Leonard. 

My two backup guards are Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.  Paul has the experience and leadership that Coach K would want on the team.  (Along with Melo and LeBron he is the only guy that is left that was on the '08 team in addition to '12.)  Westbrook is necessary because he's a freak of nature and will single-had idly win at least one game for the team.  In a perfect world, I foresee Westbrook subbing in with Faried, and in turn making the most fast-paced hustle lineup in the history of the universe. Something like: Westbrook, Irving, Faried, Green, and Durant.  Oh hell yeah.  

I also know that there are a few guys that are rather injury-prone that may not make it to the Olympics.  Obviously it could be any one of the 12, but the most likely candidates are:

Anthony Davis

Chris Paul

Kyrie Irving

You also never know if Melo or Durant's injuries from last year could come roaring back.  But should they happen, my replacement for Davis would be DeMarcus Cousins.  He doesn't quite fit the mold, but he did work with the '14 team, so he gets the nod.  My replacement for Paul/Irving would be Jimmy Butler and/or James Harden.  Both would be suitable replacements.  

Omissions-

It broke my heart to not include Paul George.  Aside from his leg break in FIBA, which would have been total redemption for him, he is one of my favorite players.  The problem is that there are so many forwards.  He is similar to Durant/LeBron/Kawhi.  He isn't quite as good of defender as Kawhi, as good of 3 point shooter as Durant, and for the purposes of this team LeBron is irreplaceable as the 6th man.  In real life, he may well make the team.  He would probably take the slot that I gave to Faried.  

All of the above argument, minus the leg break, applies to Jimmy Butler as well. 

Depending on who you ask, James Harden is one of the best players in the league.  However I don't think he fits due to his high-volume shooting.  This team works like the Warriors or Spurs with plenty of ball movement.  Harden doesn't work like that.  Sure he can be an alternate, but ideally I don't want him.  (Again, he will probably make the team.)

Kevin Love has the potentially to make the team due to his floor spacing.  He was great in past games, and I really considered him for the team.  

I could also see Andre Iguadala taking Draymond Green's spot. Ironically it's his teammate, but Iguadala is a well-liked former Olympian that brings no real weakness to the game; much like he did in '12.  

Another Warrior, Klay Thompson, was a tough omission.  Clearly, he fits the mold.  The point guards are just too strong, and no true shooting guard made my team.

Blake Griffin is another guy who probably will make the team, but I just couldn't find the room to make it on mine.  Also, he's an injury-risk.  He actually missed the '12 Olympics.