Team USA’s final roster highlights size issue

Aug 24, 2008; Beijing, CHINA; USA guard Lebron James (left) celebrates with teammate Chris Paul (13) as time expires during the mens basketball gold medal game against Spain at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. USA beat Spain 118-107 to win the gold medal. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Team USA released their final roster and it’s a doozy — talent wise. The one noticeable flaw is their lack of legitimate length as Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler and Blake Griffin are their only bigs. Maybe LeBron will just go into LeBron mode and guard every player on the floor but I doubt Miami would be fine with that alternative.

The complete roster follows:

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo     Anthony, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kevin     Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love,     Tyson Chandler, Blake Griffin, James Harden     and Andre Iguodala.

Injuries to Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh ravaged the United State’s pool of big men, which will add immense pressure on Chandler to protect the rim. If the United States do not win the gold, their size issue will be the culprit not their talent. Any team with LeBron, Kobe, CP3 and Durant is a team that is capable enough offensively.

The three players that resided on the border were Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis and Rudy Gay. I think Gordon has the most legitimate beef of the three considering he succeeded in 2010 at the World Championships. He brought physical, relentless defense while converting on 19-of-42 (45.2 percent) 3-pointers. With the capability of scoring from the interior and perimeter, along with good defense, Gordon was the embodiment of a perfect player in the international game.

United States’ first Olympic match is against Tunisia on July 29.