2010 USA Basketball

The 2010 USA Basketball team is missing the key components of its predecessor, The Redeem Team, due to their off-season obligations(injuries,weddings,contract limitations, etc..). Kevin Durant, who was on the cusp of making the Redeem Team, is now at the forefront of this years roster. Most of the NBA analyst believe that the success of this team rides squarely on KD's shoulders. This is backed up by his regular season performance which earned Durant the regular season scoring title(30 ppg). Although this is a valid point, I on the other hand believe that the Americans will go as far as the second or third scorer allows them to. I believe that Derrick Rose will emerge as that second threat each night. With his improved jump shot and his ability to finish at the rim, there is no doubt in my mind that Rose will be up for the task. Stephen Curry will be prove to be a valuable asset to the team also, not only for his innate ability to knock down the three, but for his play-making ability and his sneaky rebounding(i do recall him recording a triple double during the season). I would love to put Rudy Gay in this category, but his history of going through the motions and his lack of toughness negates my wishful thinking. But if there is a guy that can get players playing at a high caliber, it is Coach K. So if Mr. Gay can prove me wrong and not cower against the rough international players, team USA will gain another very deadly weapon and make it out of the World Championships without any blemishes on its record. Only time will tell.