The United States is 6-0 so far in these Olympics winning games by an average margin of 37.3 points per game. They have been dominant but not perfect or without flaws.

The Team USA roster isn’t exactly the one envisioned by Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski. They are small without Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh or LaMarcus Aldridge and also missing a few other stars in Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose.

The only three bigs on the roster for Team USA are Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis. Chandler has been barely playing largely due to foul trouble, Love has emerged of late and Davis only sees the floor in garbage time.

It has resulted in a lot of Team USA’s players playing out of position, mainly LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony who are playing the four and five positions primarily.

We’ve seen a lot of different lineups and rotations so far from Coach K as he still sometimes seems to be looking for the right grouping of five guys.

Team USA has done fine despite this so far and has won games because of their superior depth and talent. Now in the semifinals and playing Argentina for the third time in as many weeks, and Spain or Russia looming as a gold medal matchup, the United States may need to shrink their rotation some and find their best lineup.

What is the best 5-man lineup for Team USA?

We know it’s not the starting five of Paul-Kobe-LeBron-Durant-Chandler. They’ve gotten off to a few slow starts and with Chandler barely playing and Kobe’s struggles, this surely hasn’t been their strongest group.

The first sub is always Anthony coming in for Chandler as Team USA immediately goes small. This isn’t their best lineup either because Kobe, who hasn’t gelled well with this team at all, is still out there.

It’s usually Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook who enter next for Paul and Kobe. Now we’re getting warmer. Williams is arguably the better international point guard than Paul and Westbrook has been an upgrade from Kobe in a lot of instances as well.

But Team USA is still pretty vulnerable inside when Anthony and Durant are out there together and it’s not as if they work so great together on offense either. You probably only need one of them on the floor at a time, simply to focus more on defense.

Love is the final piece here and next sub in. He usually comes for Durant or LeBron at this point but Team USA’s best lineup definitely involves Durant and LeBron on the floor together.

Of the lineups that have played a good amount of minutes together so far in these Olympics, Team USA’s best is Paul-Williams-LeBron-Durant-Love.

The combining of Paul and Williams works well and Paul simply is playing at a higher level than Westbrook right now, fitting in more with the team too. Love has been a beast on the glass of late too, really establishing himself as a force down low while LeBron and Durant are good enough to hold their own on bigger defenders as well.

That is the best lineup we will see from Team USA going forward. The challenge for Coach K will be seamlessly removing Kobe from the floor to go with a lineup like this in crunch time. It probably won’t happen and Kobe and/or Anthony will be on the floor instead of Williams or Love.

The best lineup for Team USA is perhaps one we will never see and is totally different from the identity they’ve shown so far in the Olympics. It involves and basically highlights Davis in at center.

Davis has been a monster in the little time he has played swatting shots like nothing and rebounding very well too. He has also really meshed with Paul and the other guards, rolling to the rim and finishing alley-oops.

Team USA would be at their best going Williams-LeBron-Anthony-Durant-Davis. They’d have plenty of size and could use Williams running the point as well as LeBron. This would free up LeBron a little more to get out and run on the wings, really maximizing the potential of Team USA’s transition game.

It’s fun to think about different lineups with Team USA and this one in particular, but we probably won’t see it at all, even if it might be their best look. Instead, Team USA will have to try and win gold not with, but despite someone like Kobe, while more deserving players in Love and Davis watch from the sidelines.

Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers is in London for the 2012 Olympics working as a studio analyst for NBC.

Team USA is currently coached by Mike Krzyzewski who took over the team in 2006. This is likely to be Krzyzewski’s last Olympics and USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo will be in need of a replacement.

Rivers looks like he would be a great replacement to coach the team in 2016.

“To represent your country is the absolute best honor,” Rivers told Yahoo! Sports. “And if you ever get the opportunity, it would be hard to turn down.”

Rivers went on to say how it is a different situation for Krzyzewski who coaches in college rather than the NBA where it is a much shorter, less grueling schedule. Rivers does appear to be at least a little bit interested and being in London now may be an even greater sign of his interest.

What has made Coach K successful coaching the biggest names from the NBA is that they respect him and play hard for him. Not just any coach can handle the kind of stars that are on Team USA’s roster. Krzyzewski is a basketball icon though.

Rivers may not be on Krzyzewski’s level yet in that regard but he is widely respected by players in the league. He seems to really know how to connect with the younger generation too, something that will be important in selecting the next coach as the team will likely be comprised of players 23-years old and younger.

Where Rivers will trump Krzyzewski will be on the chalkboard. Rivers may be the best in the NBA right now at drawing up plays on offense. He’s been a master with the Celtics over the past five years and imagine what he could do with the best talent in the NBA.

Krsysewski’s success has come from his ability to motivate and bring players together. Krzyzewski is greatest when it comes to getting these NBA stars to compete on defense for 40 minutes.

One thing is for sure though that the 2016 USA Men’s Basketball team will look different than this one. Krzyzewski will no longer be the coach and quite possible every player except Anthony Davis may be gone.

Winning gold now seems like a very sure thing. In four years, it may not.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

The USA Olympic Basketball team played in front of a crowd of thousands U.S. soldiers and their families Saturday in Washington, D.C.

The team put on a show scrimmaging each other in the Hoops for Troops event as they continue to prepare for the London Olympic Games which begin July 27.

“It was very touching to see so many people who sacrificed their lives for us to walk freely and do what we like to do,” Durant said. “It’s hard to really comment on it because you can’t repay them in any way but it’s truly a blessing to walk through and see that because they’ve done so much for us.”

After the game yesterday the team gathered to pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. It’s a cool scene seeing the players lined up with their heads down during the moment of silence.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant had the honor of placing a wreath at the tomb.

“Words can’t describe how excited I was to get that opportunity (presenting the wreath),” Durant said. “Not too many people get that. Also, being from here, that was my first time experiencing that. It really puts everything in perspective for you, how much people sacrificed – that you don’t even know – for your lives and that’s big.”

These are the kinds of things that really will bring this team together for the right reasons. This is why it is such an invaluable experience to represent your country in the Olympics.

The team will play their second exhibition game Monday night at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN2 against Brazil. Durant led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds in their first exhibition win over the Dominican Republic last Thursday night.

James Harden, Blake Griffin and Andre Iguodala were the last three players to make the final cut for Team USA. Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis were the final three cut and will serve as alternates for the team.

Jerry Colangelo revealed that there were nine players who were locks to make the team a week ago: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler.

The Oklahoma City Thunder become the first NBA team ever to send three players from their roster to play for Team USA in the Olympics.

Harden made the final cut, beating out Gordon in what was a close decision.

“I think he surprised people,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said. “Two months ago he was on the radar screen, but not shining brightly necessarily. Given the opportunity, he finished so strongly this season, he gave us something to really sit back and think about. He has size, he has length at his position.

“Defensively, he’s more than adequate,” he continued. “He comes up with a lot of loose balls, a lot of steals and he is a scorer. And by the way, he can also shoot it. I think there’s a little bit of a difference between the two. Tough choice we had to make, Eric Gordon, James Harden. Harden deserved it for the reasons I mentioned and we expect him coming off the bench as he did and he’s accustomed to and to play whenever he’s called upon.”

Durant was an obvious choice for Team USA. Durant did not make the team four years ago and was one of the last cuts back then when he was only 19 years old.

“Well first of all, this young man was born to play the game. He’s a coach’s dream,” Colangelo of Durant. “He has great character, he has great passion for the game. And then his skills are off the charts. He plays with such enthusiasm that it’s difficult to keep him off the floor and in the World Championships he just rose to another level.”

Westbrook became a no-brainer when players like Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade pulled out of the Olympics because of injury. Westbrook was a part of the 2010 World Championships team with Durant.

“No, there isn’t [a more explosive player],” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “I love Russell. It’s an honor to coach him. He is such a versatile player and as good an athlete as there is on this planet playing basketball. He plays with an abundance of energy and courage. I’m a big Russell Westbrook fan.”

The Miami Heat were the only other team that could have also had three players make the roster. Four years ago, LeBron, Wade and Chris Bosh were all on the team and that was when it was rumored they decided to all try and play together when the time came.

The Olympic Games begin July 27. The first game for Team USA will be July 29 against France. Team USA will play five exhibition games before the Olympics start with the first one being July 12 vs. the Dominican Republic.

Here is the final roster:

Over the past few months, potential hopefuls for the final roster have been dropping like flies. Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will all not be playing this year.

Team USA will still have a pretty good roster and will be the favorites to win the Gold Medal. Jerry Colangelo announced last week that nine of the 12 roster spots were already secured.

Those nine players are: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Blake Griffin is also a lock now to make the final roster leaving two spots to be fought over between four players: Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, Eric Gordon and James Harden.

It is likely that the final two spots will be determined by two position battles: Gay vs. Iguodala and Gordon vs. Harden.

Gay vs. Iguodala

Both played on the 2010 World Championships team. Gay played some center for that team while Iguodala was the perimeter defensive specialist.

Looking at the 10 locks for the roster now, 3-point shooting seems like something the team would want to add. Gay is a better 3-point shooter than Iguodala by far but the versatility that Iguodala brings might give him an edge too.

Gay has more size but it is not significant enough. I believe Iguodala will make the team instead of Gay because Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski will want more versatility.

Gordon vs. Harden

This is a great battle between two of the best young shooting guards in the NBA. Gordon has had slightly better numbers throughout his career so far but Harden really came on last season.

Gordon didn’t play much last season and is dealing with some issues this offseason about wanting to leave New Orleans. Harden is working on an extension with the Thunder and would join Durant and Westbrook as the third representative from the Thunder, which could work against him since they like to spread out these kinds of honors.

I think Harden gets the nod at the end of the day. His game is really tailored to the international style and I think Colangelo is really partial to him.

If Harden makes it then the Thunder would be the only team in the NBA sending three players to represent Team USA. Serge Ibaka will also be representing Spain.

Here is my final prediction of the roster:

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be representing their country in the 2012 Olympics this summer for Team USA Basketball. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo announced that nine of the 12 roster spots are secured.

Durant and Westbrook are among the nine along with LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler.

That will leave three spots left for five players to compete for. The five players left are Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon and James Harden.

Many potentials have dropped out from the team, most recently No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis and Lamar Odom.

“We will not be adding anybody,” Colangelo told Fox Sports. “We feel good with what we have.”

When you look at the nine secured spots, only two of those players play the four or five in the NBA in Love and Chandler. LeBron, Durant and Anthony could each play the four in international play but one would still believe Team USA needs some more size.

Griffin should make the team because of this and possibly Gay as well, who has more size than Iguodala and is also a better perimeter shooter.

That will leave one last spot for Gordon, Iguodala and Harden to battle for. The roster needs a shooter which would make Gordon or Harden most appealing but since they will be so small, a player like Iguodala could also be a good choice.

Right now, Gordon is probably the better spot-up shooter than Harden and would most likely get the nod but people shouldn’t underestimate Harden. It’s easy to remember his play in the NBA Finals and forget what he did this season before that.

Harden really made a leap this year inserting himself into “Top 5 SG’s in the NBA” conversations. The fact that Durant and Westbrook are going too could make the choice of Harden more likely as well.

“I’m very confident with the roster we will have,” Colangelo said. “We have a few days now to decide if we want a shooter, you’ve got Harden. Do we want a defensive specialist? There’s Iguodala. And Rudy Gay is versatile. He played (center at times) for us in the World Championships. We have people who are versatile.”

The final roster will be revealed Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST on NBA TV.

Wade will have knee surgery this offseason. Wade had knee problems during the playoffs and had his knee drained at one point.

AP: Dwyane Wade called Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski today to withdraw from Olympic team. He will need knee surgery.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 28, 2012

Wade’s absence will open up another guard spot which Thunder players Russell Westbrook and James Harden will both compete for.

Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Eric Gordon and Deron Williams are the only other guards trying out for the team so there is a good chance that Westbrook and/or Harden will make the team alongside Kevin Durant who is a shoo-in.

The Thunder are now the only team in the NBA who could be sending three players to the Olympics to represent the United States. They will also be sending Serge Ibaka who will play for Spain.

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Team USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo announced today that Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden and future first overall pick Anthony Davis will be added to the USA Men’s Basketball National Team finalist roster.

It was announced earlier this week that Colangelo was going to add more players to the finalist rosters in lieu of recent injuries to four players on the initial list including Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard.

Davis was initially rumored to be among the players considered to be added to the list but it wasn’t until today that Harden’s name came up.

Harden and Davis won’t necessarily make the team but I think both could be very useful additions.

“Being named as a finalist for the USA Basketball National Team is an unbelievable feeling and an opportunity that is truly humbling. It is an honor to be included with such talented players and I look forward to the chance to represent my country this summer,” said Harden.

Harden brings great perimeter shooting, pick-and-roll offense and a high basketball IQ which are all things that are even more valuable in the international game than the NBA game sometimes.

Davis is thin but that won’t be as big of an issue in the Olympics than it will be in the NBA and his shot blocking skills are probably better than any other player on the finalist roster.

Oklahoma City Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are already on the finalist roster and both should make the team. Durant and Westbrook were also both a big part of the 2010 World Championships team.

With the need to add another three-point threat, Harden could easily become the third Thunder player to make the final roster. His greatest competition will likely be Eric Gordon.

With the recent injuries to stars like Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo has decided to consider adding more players to the list of finalists that will eventually determine who makes the team.

Harden has come on as a top-5 shooting guard in the NBA this season with a PER behind only Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.

Harden’s game is one that would readily translate to success in the FIBA World. Harden is a great three-point shooter and a player that understands very well how to attack zones.

One area that Team USA may be lacking is perimeter shooting and a player like Eric Gordon always seemed like a good fit for the team. But since Gordon was injured this year it is possible that Harden could make the team in place of him in that role.

Harden would join Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook who are likely going to make the team. Only the Miami Heat would possibly send three players to the Olympics this year.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Tuesday that he will likely be adding one or two players to the list of finalists for Team USA this summer.

This was obviously in light of the recent injuries to players like Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose who were initially thought to be playing for Team USA in the 2012 Olympics in London this summer.

Twenty finalists were announced in January. Howard and Rose were of course on that list and thought to be the projected starting point guard and center of the team.

Chauncey Billups and LaMarcus Aldridge were also on that list and have since gone down with season-ending injuries.

It’s big men that are likely to be added to the new list. DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe and potential number-one overall pick Anthony Davis are the names being considered right now.

The loss of Rose as the point guard isn’t a big hit since the roster can likely now include Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.

Other than Howard, the only other likely bigs that would make the team were going to be Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love and maybe Blake Griffin.

My dream is to see Team USA play no bigs and go with a lineup that consists of no point guards either. Imagine five-man lineups consisting of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.

It might not be the best thing but how fun would it be to see that?

My picks for the final 12-man roster now look like this: LeBron, Durant, Kobe, Wade, Anthony, Paul, Westbrook, Love, Bosh, Chandler, Iguodala and Williams.

The best players weren’t excited to represent their countries back then and it resulted in a third-place finish in 2004. The culture has since changed and getting the best NBA players to play has been as important as anything.

The 2012 team is expected to be maybe the best basketball team ever assembled – even rivaling the 1992 Dream Team. On June 1, Colangelo will finalize the roster and while there are some obvious selections, there will also be some tough omissions.

Colangelo says that the team will be a blend of the 2008 Gold Medal team and 2010 World Championship squad. In 2008, we saw a team of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. Those players did not play in 2010 on the squad led by Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

“Most people would say you need shooters because of the zone defenses,” Colangelo said to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “And to some degree that is true. But we’re not varying from our concept. Basketball is the ultimate team game. We need players willing to sacrifice their own games. [In 2010] Coach K went with a seven or eight-man rotation. With this roster, in my opinion, he can go with all 12 if he chooses. He and I have had this conversation over and over: Players may be used different this time around.

“Size is still an issue. Without being specific, we have to figure out if we carry three centers or two. With the type of wing players out there, defenders are really important, too. But there is so much talent. Guys have worked really hard to improve. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love — they have moved to a whole other level.”

These are all problems that any country would love to have. Do I start Chris Paul or Derrick Rose?

Colangelo does bring up a good point of bringing on players who are willing to play less minutes and be productive while on the court for shorter periods of time.

Here is the starting lineup we could be looking at: Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Dwight Howard. With Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Andre Iguodala and Tyson Chandler off the bench.

That snubs Deron Williams, Eric Gordon, Chauncey Billups, Blake Griffin, Rudy Gay, LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Bosh and Lamar Odom.

While Durant is a lock, Westbrook may not even make the team despite a possible First Team All-NBA selection this season. Rose and Paul are likely going to be the first two point guards selected. That leaves Colangelo to choose between Westbrook, Williams, Gordon and Billups. He will likely only take one of those four.

The selection will be made on June 1 and Team USA will hold training camps starting July 6.