Because several players, most notably, Kevin Durant and Kevin Love are not participating, and with the loss of Paul George to a horrific leg injury sustained during one of Team USA's scrimmages, Derrick Rose is thought to be one of a handful of players who will be called upon to lead Team USA.
Rose has played in a FIBA World Championship before, starting at point guard for the 2010 Men's USA Basketball team that won the gold medal.
Rose's play that summer transitioned him into his best season as a professional, leading the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the NBA that season, and Rose being crowned the youngest NBA MVP ever.
Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls, and BullsNation hopes that DRose can duplicate those results, and possibly add an NBA Championship to the outcome this time.
The 2014 Team USA 12-man roster:
#12 DeMarcus Cousins 6-11 C Sacramento Kings
#4 Stephen Curry 6-3 G Golden State Warriors
#14 Anthony Davis 6-10 F/C New Orleans Pelicans
#9 DeMar Derozan 6-7 G Toronto Raptors
#15 Andre Drummond 6-10 C Detroit Pistons
#18 Kenneth Faried 6-8 F Denver Nuggets
#8 Rudy Gay 6-8 F Sacramento Kings
#13 James Harden 6-5 G Houston Rockets
#10 Kyrie Irving 6-3 G Cleveland Cavaliers
#11 Mason Plumlee 6-11 F Brooklyn Nets
#6 Derrick Rose 6-3 G Chicago Bulls
#5 Klay Thompson 6-7 G Golden State Warriors
Team USA Roster Built With An Eye On Spain
With the final 12 man roster for the 2014 FIBA World Cup selected, it is clear that the initial thinking that Team USA officials would focus on playing "small ball" has changed.Team USA's biggest challenge in the World Cup will be Spain, and their experienced team featuring former Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol and new Chicago Bull Pau Gasol.
And with an eye to the skill and size of Spain, Team USA chose to keep all their size, including DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Kenneth Faried, Mason Plumlee, and Anthony Davis, in order to match the Gasol brothers.
Several players thought to be a lock, Kyle Korver and Damian Lillard in particular, were not selected. Analysts suggest that their skill set would have been most useful when Kevin Durant was to be the feature of the offense, but with Durant deciding to leave Team USA, officials felt the need to shore up their frontcourt.
The decision leaves Derrick Rose and Steph Curry, two players on the 2010 FIBA World Championship gold medal team, along with James Harden, as the offensive focuses in the backcourt of this incarnation of Team USA.
What do you think of the players selected to the roster of Team USA? How do you think the Chicago Bulls (Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol) will do in this year's FIBA World Cup tournament? Who will win? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
