Team USA Training Camp Roster

Yesterday, I was excited to see the names of the 19 players included on the Team USA Basketball Roster. This team will be once again coached brilliantly by Duke Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

The roster is as follows
Bradley Beal
DeMarcus Cousins
Stephen Curry
Anthony Davis
DeMar DeRozan
Andre Drummond
Kevin Durant
Kenneth Faired
Paul George
Blake Griffin
James Harden
Gordon Hayward
Kyrie Irving
Kyle Korver
Damian Lillard
Kevin Love
Chandler Parsons
Derrick Rose
Klay Thompson

Those that are selected from this training camp roster will do something that Americans have never been able to do at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The United States has never won back-to-back titles at this event. It is really hard to believe that fact with the amount of basketball talent that this country has to offer.  My prediction is that this is the team to do it, but I want to point out a few quick observations about this training camp roster.

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose could be the 2nd best player on this roster, but if I am in Chicago's front office, I am furious that Rose is going to play. The guy has not been playing effectively for the Bulls for multiple seasons now due to multiple injuries. For him to not be ready for the Bulls in the playoffs, but magically able to play in the World Cup would have me very irritated. No doubt that this guy can play though and count me among those that want him to be 100%.

Kevin Durant

With Team USA going for their first back-to-back win, starting with the league MVP was a very good idea. Durant is as big a lock to make this roster as Team USA has ever had. This guy will be the leader of the team that we send to Spain in late August. I will be very surprised if he isn't the leading scorer of the tournament.

Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal is becoming quite the basketball player and I certainly expect him to make this team. His game continues to improve and he should be a fixture for Team USA and the Washington Wizards in the future. As a Wizards fan, it is great to see the way this guy is playing basketball lately. This should help improve his game.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is the best pure point guard on the roster and should be another lock on this roster. He recently signed a big extension to play in Cleveland for a while and he will be on Team USA for a while as well. This guy will make things happen for Team USA.

Kevin Love and Stephen Curry are also locks to make this roster. Curry's outside shot and Love's inside presence are surely going to be added to the roster for the Americans.

Paul George

Paul George is getting used to being the favorite. He is obviously the favorite whenever he plays on Team USA which he will certainly make for these World Championships. George is also the favorite this upcoming season when his Indiana Pacers will be favored to win the Eastern Conference. That is unless there is some more crazy player movement.

My Picks To Make The Roster

Starters

Kyrie Irving

Stephen Curry

Kevin Durant

Paul George

Kevin Love

Reserves

Derrick Rose

Anthony Davis

Bradley Beal

James Harden

Blake Griffin

Damian Lillard

Gordon Hayward

Important Dates

Vegas Training Camp Begins July 28th

Vegas Training Camp Ends August 1st

USA Blue vs USA White August 1st

Chicago Training Camp August 14-15th

Exhibition vs. Brazil (Chicago) August 16th

Exhibition vs. Dominican Republic (New York) August 20th

Exhibition vs. Puerto Rico (New York) August 22nd

Pre-World Cup Tour (Spain) August 24-26th

2014 FIBA World Cup August 30th-September 14th in Spain

Enjoy the opportunity to see these great basketball players represent our country over this summer. Good luck to this group of 19 that will soon be a group of 12. Go USA!

-Noland