Jerry Colangelo Says Team USA Reconsidering Olympic Approach

USA! USA! USA!

Derrick Rose’s torn ACL has caused USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to rethink his stance of not expanding the list of candidates for the U.S. squad that will compete at the London Olympics.

Colangelo said last week that despite injuries to Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Chauncey Billups as well as Lamar Odom being eliminated from consideration the 12-man Team USA roster would be selected from the 16 candidates remaining from the original list of 20. Rose’s season-ending injury brings the number of finalists down to 15.

“What I said (previously) was that we didn’t plan to do any additions, but we had to continue to monitor the injury situation,” Colangelo. “Obviously (Rose) is a big loss. (Point guard) seems to be, at this point, still a pretty strong position. But at this stage, quite honestly, I think all bets are off.”

Three point guards remain on the current list: Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook. The team is also thin at center—Tyson Chandler is the only true ‘five’ left among the candidates.

Colangelo said that the original plan to announce the final roster on June 1 has been changed. June 18 is the deadline for teams to set rosters with the Olympic Committee, and Colangelo said USA Basketball will wait as late as possible before making its decisions.

“I think now we’re going to wait until the very last moment to pick the team, because it seems ridiculous with a lot of playoff games to play that we would select a team,” Colangelo said. “We might as well keep the options open as long as we can, and continue to monitor the situation.”

Colengelo will meet with Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff Monday and Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The current Team USA finalists are Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks, Chris Bosh Miami Heat, Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers, Chandler New York Knicks, Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder, Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies, Eric Gordon New Orleans Hornets, Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers, Andre Iguodala Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James Miami Heat, Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves, Paul Los Angeles Clippers, Dwyane Wade Miami Heat, Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder and Williams New Jersey Nets.