will harden make the 12 man roster for the 2016 olympics

I think Hardens game isn't that great for the Olympics.

He is mostly effective on ball, but there will be much better ball handlers such as Lebron and Curry, Paul on the team. Then on defense he's a liability. Unless they truly plan on running the ball through him (despite better options) I think he'd be a waste and that a player like Thompson who can spot up and defend would be a better choice for the SG position, same with Butler for his defensive abilities and of course PG and Leonard can play SG as well.

 

he made the team in 2012, he captained the team in 2014, he doesn't struggle with the lighter ball like curry and thompson, it'd be highly unlikely that he's left off

 

He was one of the best players last Olympics and in the FIBA Championships. He didn't handle the ball much at all, especially when Kyrie was hogging the ball.

It was a long time ago. I should say I don't remember Harden handling the ball much.

 

They play FIBA ball and they stress balanced scoring and nobody really stood out except for couple of guys mainly big guys as far as I recall.

 

I voted No because I'm currently salty about his current play.

But, I think he'll make it.

Curry, James, Durant, Westbrook, Davis are locks, IMO.

 

His public reputation is still that of a Top 5 player so, unfortunately, yes, he will easily make the roster. He can play positions 1-4, too.

 

Yes he will.
Didnt rose make it two years ago even though he had been sucking or im remembering wrong? I dont think the criteria is only based on..merit. But imo the ameriacn team must have drummond and cousins by all means.

 

Harden dominated the FIBA World Cup final.

 

of course not, its just the olympics

 

Probably. People are saying they should select Klay for his shooting...but when you have Curry, Irving, Durant, George...etc...I don't think you are even lacking shooting...I mean even Leonard can shoot it now.

Also, Irving and Curry were ballhogs at the last olympics. Harden was pretty much the selfless team player on that team.

 

SHOE IN

 

Other than being a mainstay on the last 2 gold medal squads, it's a poor fit.

I hope he doesn't go though, no reason for him to risk injury/fatigue. Nothing left to prove at that level.

Strip club summer is better than a torn ACL summer.

 

Stacked field, but I bet he makes it. If he doesn't, could be good motivation for next year.

 

Harden will make it and Dwight will make it too. The US Olympic bball team tends to stand by guys who have been important in past success.

 

If you're a Rockets fan...... You better hope he makes the team. Keeps him in shape and working on his game all summer. Something he probably didn't do as much last offseason.

 

This. We need as much Coach K as we can get

 

Well that's just wrong. He was one of the most important players during the last Olympics.

 

Here's how I'd do it:

Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving
James Harden, Russell Westbrook
Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James, Blake Griffin, Draymond Green
Anthony Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge

 

He's still the best 2 guard in the league despite his regression this year. There's no way that he's left off that list.

My list:

PG: Curry, Paul, Westbrook
SG: Harden, Butler
SF: James, Leonard, PG13
PF: Durant, Green
C: Davis, Drummond

Who's going to be able to match up against that?