Here Are Some Possible USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Lineups

Wrote about Team USA:

Irving — Thompson — George — Durant — Cousins

This is the group most observers have penciled in as the probable starters. It’s possible Anthony could take the place of one of Thompson, George, or Cousins, because USA Basketball values seniority and Anthony is, along with Durant, one of two players on the team with prior Olympics experience, but this seems like the way they’ll likely lean. Anthony and/or Durant will almost definitely see some time at center during the tournament, but Coach K likes to start games with a big lineup before moving into small-ball later on, Warriors style. (Durant and James started with Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant and Tyson Chandler in 2012.) Cousins is a better fit as the lone true big man than DeAndre Jordan.

There’s only one Warrior (Thompson) in this group, but it’s somewhat helpful to think of lineups in terms of that team, because the way Team USA moves the ball is very similar. Irving slides neatly into the Curry role here, while Thompson plays himself, Durant can do a heck of a Draymond Green impersonation (and a whole lot more), Cousins becomes an angrier version of Andrew Bogut, and George is the most overqualified Harrison Barnes there could possibly be.

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