Tough cuts ahead for Jerry Colangelo, U.S. men's basketball team

The 98-foot Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks Rio de Janeiro is symbolic of many things, including the recovery of Team USA basketball after Jerry Colangelo took over in 2005..

With Olympic competition underway in fewer than three months, a Rodin work of pensiveness might be better suited as a team awaiting answers is still taking shape.

“I feel very solid regarding how we’re going to be structured,” Colangelo said Wednesday.

He has some tough decisions to make.

With five of the 12 players from the 2012 team not an option for this group, the 2016 version will feature an infusion of youth. That’s exciting for those of us appreciative of the league’s collective young talent, a group high on the likability factor.

The original Team USA 31-player pool is down to 27 with health issues sidelining Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis and John Wall. Additionally, Chris Paul withdrew, citing a need to rest, and then broke his hand.

Davis and Paul were part of the gold-medal team in London. Others from that group who won’t be returning are Kobe Bryant, who retired, and Deron Williams and the Suns’ Tyson Chandler, who were not invited to be part of the 2016 model.

Look for first-timers Stephen Curry, a slam-dunk choice, and Klay Thompson in the guard mix to join James Harden and Russell Westbrook, who have been loyal to the USA basketball cause, if they decide to return.

Damian Lillard could be in the guard equation, too, depending on how many coach Mike Krzyzewski wants to keep at that position. Lillard, who has had an outstanding postseason, will likely be battling for one or two spots with Kyrie Irving and Mike Conley.

IAAF won't ban Kenya from Olympics despite WADA decision on doping

Lillard was the last player cut from Team USA in 2014 for the FIBA World Cup. The announcement came a week before competition started and was one of several players let go who had participated in warm-up games.

It was a tough decision, Colangelo said, and one of the reasons the team will not make final cuts after training camp in Las Vegas.

Instead, the team will simply announce the 12-man roster during the third week of June.

“I basically didn’t want to put players through a situation where (they trained) and then some were going to be told they would not to be among the final 12,” he said. “I have too much respect for them as players.”

One of the more intriguing storylines involves the decisions of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, each of whom have played in three Olympics. Will there be enough enthusiasm for a fourth?

Anthony has said in interviews that he’s excited for another run. James is taking a wait-and-see approach.

“I don’t think we’ll know until playoffs are over for certain,” Colangelo said. “It could go one way or the other.”

It’s a tough call, especially for veteran players. The pull of representing your country is strong and the experience of standing on an Olympic medal podium unique.

The desire to rest one’s body is significant, too.

Colangelo understands that.

“As a 50-year former NBA coach, owner, general manager, I understand the value of a player,” he said. “What comes first and foremost is their well-being. I don’t want to put anyone in a position where it affects their career.”

The decisions by James and Anthony will have an impact how the front court shapes up. Those two and Kevin Durant, who also is undecided, would surely be locks. Then come some tough decisions depending on how much Krzyzewski prefers more of a pure center in the mix.

There are Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Draymond Green to consider, and bigs such as Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. And how about Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan and DeMarcus Cousins?

Injuries and the desire for rest will help make some of these decisions. But it’s clear that challenging choices remain.

Excitement about the team is high. A five-game exhibition schedule in late July already has seen strong ticket sales.

Competition begins against Argentina in Las Vegas on July 22, followed by stops in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago and Houston. Opponents include China, Venezuela and Nigeria.

Team USA will play China twice, which is a nice tune-up. The team opens Olympic competition against that country on Aug. 6 in play for Group A, which also includes Venezuela, Australia and two teams to be determined.

“I’ve always felt, even if we turn over half the roster each time, the system is well-oiled,” Colangelo said.

“It’s an exciting time for Coach K and myself. There’s new blood with young and up-and-coming stars. There’s a lot to look forward to.”

The league’s young talent includes the Suns’ Devin Booker, who is among the players that have been invited to be on the select team that practices against Team USA, Colangelo said. Loyalty is valued among this group and could help Booker's chances for future Olympics.

Colangelo deserves credit for helping NBA players embrace the Olympics again and for teaching them to understand the Games’ value, which, let's face it, includes branding for their own marketing purposes.

For now, though, Colangelo has one focus: selecting the right 12.