As we get closer and closer to July 4, America’s independence day, we’re seeing more and more defections and withdrawals from basketball’s Team USA, set to compete and defend their Olympic title in London at the end of the month.
Yesterday, news came from Lamar Odom (Yes, that Lamar Odom, who lost his starting spot, and averaged just 6.6 points per game, with 3.4 rebounds with the Dallas Mavericks last season) that he would rather spend time with his family in Los Angeles and meet his new Clippers teammates, than represent his country in one of the greatest international events in on the planet.
It’s one more nail in the coffin that proves the theory that American NBA stars really don’t care about the national team. Imagine if Wayne Rooney switched clubs, and skipped going to the World Cup or Euros because he wanted to meet his new teammates. It would be condemned nationwide and he would be snubbed from international competition for a long time.
But that’s not the argument that I am going to make today. With Odom out of the picture, Team USA is left with just two true big men, Kevin Love, and Tyson Chandler. Also out injured is LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Bosh, and Dwight Howard.
Nine of the 12 players going to London have been picked. Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis (though he recently suffered an injury) could be in contention for a big man spot. But I have the perfect answer to team USA’s problem.
Cody Zeller.
Maybe I’m just a homer as an Indiana alum, but here’s a guy who is already being projected as the #1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, who outplayed Anthony Davis in both of their meetings, and is a guy with a European style game, that could translate really well on the court at the Olympics.
Sure, Tom Crean would vehemently oppose the call-up, and the likelihood of it happening, according to Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo, is none, but if the USA is truly looking for a big man who can play on both ends of the court, there aren’t many better than Zeller.
Personally, I’d love to see Zeller in the Team USA jersey. I don’t think he’d be playing enough to make him tired before the start of the season, as he’d be one of the last guys off the bench, but the experience he could gain, going up against pros in practice, or in certain games that will likely be blowouts, is immeasurable for him, and the future of Team USA. If Zeller keeps improving in college, and is picked #1 overall next season, he has as good a chance as any to make a US Basketball squad competing internationally.
I’d love to hear what you all think. Should Zeller be called up to the National team, or should they go with Blake Griffin/hobbled Anthony Davis? Comment Away
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