Kobe, LeBron lead list of nine who have secured berths on TEAM USA LONDON 2012

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

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There are no surprises — did you think Kobe Bryant or LeBron James were going to be left off the team? — but now we know nine of the 12 players who will represent the United States in the London Olympic basketball tournament.

USA Basketball president Jerry Colangelo laid it out for Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida.

In a phone interview with FOX Sports Florida, Colangelo said 2008 Olympic holdovers LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams are assured of being on the team in London along with 2010 World Championship holdovers Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler.

Again, no surprises there. And Colangelo said there would be no additions to the team at this point.

So there are six players left — Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis — fighting for three spots. While Colangelo wouldn’t rule out Davis, the fact he sprained his ankle might cost him any real chance.

Because Team USA could use more height along the front line, one of those three places almost certainly will be Griffin’s. My guess is that Harden or Gordon will get a spot as a backup two, and Iguodala or Gay will get the other spot, but coach Mike Krzyzewski has options.

The entire team will be announced in a television special on NBA TV Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern (after just a couple days of practice). From there Team USA will keep practicing, readying for a game against the Dominican Republic — which is in Venezuela right now trying to qualify for the Games through FIBA’s second chance qualifier matching teams that just missed out in their regions — on Thursday, July 12.

As of right now:

Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Tyson Chandler

Deron Williams
Russell Westbrook
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Love




So which 3 of the 5 do you think makes it out of Blake, Harden, Gordon, Rudy and Iggy?

[Losoway]

blake for sure . and harden

the rest is a toss up

[Bruno87]

Good. The two top players in the NBA since the 2004 debacle should lead the team. LeBron and Kobe should be Co-captains. maybe a third.

[Lakers+Giants]

Blake, Harden and Gay

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

Good. The two top players in the NBA since the 2004 debacle should lead the team. LeBron and Kobe should be Co-captains. maybe a third.

KD, since he led us to the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.

[Bruno87]

can't wait to see this team in action. I'd like to see Love get lots of minutes hoping he makes the team. love with lbj would be bad for opponents. team use needs love to dominate the glass on this wing dominant team.

[Bruno87]

KD, since he led us to the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.

totally.

since wade and howard will be out it's gotta be LBJ Durant and Kobe.

[Sssmush]

Blake, Gordon, Gay

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

I think my 3 would be Blake (another big incase of injuries), Harden (Best 6th man in the biz), and Iggy (The Doberman off the bench while Kobe is the Doberman in the starting lineup).

[Bruno87]

how certain is it that chris paul is playing? i love paul and he's earned his spot but he should get healthy for the season. whats going on with his injury? you can't tell me the dude was healthy last post-season.

[Bruno87]

team USA is going to miss Wade. his void can be filled, but he found a way to be especially efficient against the other countries in the 2008 olympics. it'll be interesting to see if anyone can be that efficient for team USA in the 2012 go-round. i think durant will be the guy; they won't be able to guard him.

[Clippersfan86]

Blake, Gordon and Gay. Gordon>Harden. In fact on the last go Eric Gordon was team USA's defensive stopper on the perimeter according to teammates. Harden is a complete **** defender and doesn't belong on the team.

[waveycrockett]

If USA doesn't add size. Spain is going to kill them in the paint.

[rocket]

Berths?

[Chronz]

Blake, and Iggy should in. then a tough decision between harden and gordon.

Gay is a decent choice but unnecessary