Due to this incarnation of Team USA’s various deficiencies, they’re put in a tough spot. Not only will the Americans be forced to go into Turkey with odd fits at various positions, but in the meantime, they’re forced to compromise talent and performance due to their specific needs. Between Chauncey Billups, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, and Tyreke Evans, someone will have to stay home. And in their place will likely be a Tyson Chandler or a JaVale McGee — less effective overall players, but with strengths thought to better complement the rest of the national team.
During most of Team USA’s runs, injury was a threat. If this player goes down, the games are wide open. If that player goes down, Team USA would fall apart. Yet in the case of this year’s squad, not only were various players ruled out beforehand due to injury — Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kendrick Perkins — but Robin Lopez was declared out on arrival, David Lee is a no-go after injuring his finger, Danny Granger missed a bit with a shin injury, and Tyreke Evans tweaked an ankle. Someone clearly put a hex on the Team USA program (Ron? Gil?), and if they’re not careful, the few centers they have left could be watching (or sulking) from the sidelines.
That’s why I understand the thought process behind keeping all three centers — Brook Lopez, Tyson Chandler and JaVale McGee — on call through the first wave of cuts. I really do. But if I didn’t make it abundantly clear in my previous post, this year’s Team USA has a wonderful opportunity to not only skirt positional rigidity, but attempt something fantastically unique. I’d hate for either one of those things to be ruined because of convention.
Plan A was Dwight Howard with help. Plan B was some combination of Chris Bosh and other bigs. Plan C was Amar’e Stoudemire. Plan D was the Lopez twins. Now that we’re going to Plans E and beyond, is it perhaps time for us to admit that there are greater forces of chaos at work here, pining to see Lamar Odom and Gerald Wallace play center? Have we really come all this way just to see Team USA trot out JaVale McGee?
It was never my intent to turn McGee into a scapegoat, but in this scenario, his positioning is far too convenient. In truth, JaVale is growing as a player, and one day he may be a fine part of a complete starting lineup. He’s just not there yet. That’s not a problem in itself (How many players on this year’s Team USA roster have actually come close to fulfilling their potential?), but with the pool of players given, the team seems to have better options. Even if they aren’t centers. Even if they aren’t conventional power forwards. McGee will be a part of the roster going forward because Team USA needs to cover itself lest the hex strikes again. That’s the safe approach, and the smart approach. Yet one can only hope that when the team is finally ready to dive into the murky waters, they choose to take off their life vest first.
The World Championships are going to be dangerous. Spain is obviously equipped to topple the Americans, but there are plenty of other capable teams that could do the very same. At a point, injuries are going to be a legitimate risk. That doesn’t mean that Mike Krzyzewski should compromise the rest of his game plan to accommodate a nightmare, no matter how destructive its potential.
