FIBA World Cup 2014: Team USA Announces Final Roster; Derrick Rose In, Damian Lillard Out
ByThe U.S. Men's National Basketball team has announced the final roster cuts ahead of the 2014 FIBA World Cup and Damian Lillard was the odd point guard out.
The official announcement came after the U.S. beat Puerto Rico in an exhibition game Friday night in New York City's Madison Square Garden. On a long recovery from two knee surgeries in as many seasons, Derrick Rose played in the game and made the final 12-man squad.
The final roster that will head to Spain for the international basketball tournament is as follows:
Point guards: Rose, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving
Shooting guards: James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson
Small forwards: Rudy Gay
Power forwards: Kenneth Farried, Mason Plumlee
Centers: Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond
Though Gay is the only small forward on the roster, Harden is expected to start games at the position, with both Curry and Irving as guards. Farried and Davis are expected to round out the starting five.
Left off the final roster were Lillard, Kyle Korver, Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons. Parsons and Hayward were reportedly unable to distinguish themselves as wing players and a crowded and highly talented backcourt left no room for Korver or Lillard.
If Korver had made the team, it would have been as a three-point specialist, as he is one of the best sharpshooters in the NBA. Lillard's only chance to make the team seemed to be if Rose was not able to play in the tournament.
"The first thing is we are very pleased with the overall effort of every player who was a part of the process," Mike Krzyzewski, USA head coach, said in the announcement. "To select twelve was difficult, because our pool is so good. As we go forward, we not only go forward as twelve, we go forward as a pool for USA Basketball. As a staff we want to thank the players who are not going forward.
"I'm excited about the 12 players selected and feel we have excellent versatility and the makings of a really good defensive team."
Rose has played a dozen games in the last two seasons due to knee injuries, but all signs thus far have pointed to a healthy return for him. If he was not ready to go 100 percent, chances are Lillard would have taken his place. Team USA is set to depart for Spain Saturday and the tournament is scheduled to begin Aug. 30.