NEW YORK â€" With injuries to prospective players for Team USA basketball at the Summer Games in London, an intriguing name has emerged for strong consideration as a late addition to the preliminary roster: Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden.
By Richard Rowe, US Presswire
Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden, a front-runner for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, could be added to the U.S. Olympic preliminary roster.
By Richard Rowe, US Presswire
Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden, a front-runner for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, could be added to the U.S. Olympic preliminary roster.
Harden likely will be added, possibly as soon as today, USA TODAY Sports learned from a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Harden was the recipient of the vicious elbow to the side of the head April 22 thrown by Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace, who was suspended for seven games. Harden missed the final two games of the regular season but was cleared to play for the playoffs.
Forward Anthony Davis, considered the top prospect in the 2012 NBA draft and coming off a national championship as a freshman at Kentucky, will be added to a preliminary roster with a slew of Olympic-ending injuries to prominent players such as Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (back), who won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (knee), who won gold at the 2010 world championships.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups (Achilles) and Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) were also on the original 20-man preliminary roster but won't be able to play this summer.
Faced with a dwindling roster, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports this week that he and his staff would take a serious look at making additions. Colangelo met with Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski and assistants Nate McMillan, Mike D'Antoni and Jim Boeheim this week in Las Vegas.
Harden has no national team experience. While Colangelo believes in equity earned by commitment to USA Basketball, he acknowledged the injuries have necessitated a change in philosophy.
Team USA needs to turn in a 12-man roster and six alternates by June 18. The addition of Harden, 22, and Davis, 19, would account for 18 players, barring no more significant injuries. While Colangelo wanted to announce the official 12-man roster around June 1, he said he will now take as much time as allowed before submitting it.
Harden was not on Team USA's generic 2010-2012 national team 35-man roster and was not on the preliminary Olympic roster announced in January. However, the 6-5, 220-pound Harden has emerged as one of the league's best young players â€" a versatile and gifted inside-outside scorer with a team-first attitude, a commitment to defense and a strong knowledge of the game.
Although he comes off the bench (he is favored to win the NBA's Sixth Man award), Harden is one of Oklahoma City's top players behind forward Kevin Durant and guard Russell Westbrook, who both are on the preliminary Olympic roster.
Harden, in his third season, averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists and shot 49.1% from the field, 39.0% on three-pointers and 84.6% from the foul line â€" all career highs. He scored a career-high 40 points against the Phoenix Suns on April 18.
In the playoffs he is averaging 17 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists and is shooting 42.9% from the field and on three-pointers.
Team USA begins Olympic training July 6 in Las Vegas and will practice against a team of select players, including Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving.
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