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Four More Years! Coach K Returns to Olympics

Jul 8, 2009, 4:25 PM UTC

Although it seemed unlikely after last year’s successful run, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is reportedly returning to coach the U.S. men’s basketball senior national team. Yes, Krzyzewski is getting a second term. What’s interesting is where this leads the program.â†µâ†µIf you followed last summer’s Olympics, you know the backstory. Theâ†µU.S. basketball program was in shambles, all things considered.â†µAlthough clearly superior in talent, there was zero organization of anyâ†µsort. Then came the commitment from players like Carmelo Anthony,â†µLeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who were part of the embarrassing effortâ†µin the 2004 Olympics. And it really became more about committing toâ†µmultiple years and offseasons, not just a few weeks one summer.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut will that same group follow Krzyzewski’s lead and join the team again? Back in June, Mike DeCourcy did a Q&A with Jerry Colangelo,â†µwho specifically mentioned core players (LeBron, Wade, Chris Bosh,â†µDwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Deron Williams). No mentionâ†µof Melo, but it’s hard to picture him not going back with this crew.â†µ

â†µâ†µLet’s work from the assumption that those eight players will return.â†µThat leaves just four spots. Who will make up the rest of the roster?â†µ

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â†µThe big menâ†µseem obvious, given the mentions of Bosh and Howard. I'm going to vouchâ†µfor Blake Griffin, sight unseen as an NBA player, for the third bigâ†µman. He won't rock the boat, personality-wise, so he'll fit in thatâ†µway. By all accounts, he should be the consummate pro. The glaringâ†µconcern with Griffin would be improving his jump shot to be betterâ†µsuited for the international game. Possible alternative to Griffin:â†µLaMarcus Aldridge.â†µ

â†µâ†µThat leaves us with three spots.â†µ

â†µâ†µOn the wing Michael Redd and Tayshaun Prince are clearly out.â†µKevin Durant steps in for one of those spots without question. He’dâ†µhave size to bother opponents and be an excellent second-unit scorer.â†µIf you wanted to go with a defensive specialist, you could certainlyâ†µlook at Trevor Ariza. The good thing about him is you wouldn’t beâ†µlooking for an early commitment like with some of the other stars, soâ†µyou’d have time to see if he was a one-year wonder and could functionâ†µoutside of Los Angeles. If you strictly wanted to go with a young,â†µrising talent, Danny Granger would slide in nicely to one of theseâ†µspots.â†µ

â†µâ†µIn the backcourt: Jason Kidd is out and in my book Brandon Royâ†µhas to get the first ticket into that backcourt. Then you’re left withâ†µthe question of what to do at the final spot. Once again, too manyâ†µpoint guards to choose from. Does Deron Williams keep his spot or doâ†µyou extrapolate out more growth from either Derrick Rose or Rajonâ†µRondo? Colangelo’s comments seem to lead you to believe he’s probablyâ†µin there no matter what, but humor me in this hypothetical argument.â†µI’d worry about the shooting ability of both Rose and Rondo in anâ†µinternational setting. I’d also lend a lot of credence to Williams’â†µprevious experience and place a lot of value in trying to keep as muchâ†µof the ‘08 team together as possible. Advantage: Williams. â†µ

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