Pre-Game Primer: USA vs. Dominican Republic

Thomas & Mack Center
Las Vegas, NV

Time: 9:00 p.m. EST

TV: ESPN

It's here. Tonight, we will finally get our first (in-game) glimpse of the 2012 incarnation of Team USA when coach John Calipari's Dominican Republic squad visit the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. As has become customary with this year's team, injuries continue to abound, so we may not be able to get a full picture of how the squad will fit together. Blake Griffin will be out (and maybe for awhile) after re-injuring his knee during practice yesterday, while Chris Paul may be limited as he continues to struggle with a sprained thumb. However, no matter who winds up on the court, keen observers should be able to begin gathering at least some insight as to how coach Mike Krzyzewski expects this team to operate in the weeks ahead. It should be fun.

Blake Griffin's Place On Team USA

Before today, nine of the 12 roster spots on the United States' Olympic basketball team were already taken, with three spots up for grabs. Once Lamar Odom removed his name from consideration this past week and Anthony Davis sprained his right ankle days before training camp, the final roster spots became the subject of intense speculation around the blogosphere. That speculation ended tonight, as USA Basketball announced the final selection of 12 players to participate in the upcoming London Olympic games, with Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, and James Harden sliding by as the coaches' last three picks.

Griffin's selection is particularly intriguing. Once Odom opted out and Davis showed up to camp injured, Griffin's spot on the final roster became almost a guarantee. He now becomes the team's third big man behind Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love and, as such, is a candidate to get significant minutes. However, it would seem that Griffin's inclusion was more of a last resort than an active choice.

Decision Time: Who Will Make Team USA's Olympic Roster?

With only days remaining until America's best basketball players descend on Las Vegas for the beginning of Team USA training camp, the squad's potential makeup is coming into clearer view. To be sure, there are some tough choices left to be made by head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff, but a rash of recent injuries has significantly narrowed the pool of available talent.

Dwyane Wade is planning to have knee surgery. Derrick Rose is still recovering from one of his own. Chris Bosh is resting his mysterious (but still really serious) abdominal injury. Andrew Bynum is being, well, Andrew Bynum. And Dwight Howard is apparently spending his summer accusing the Orlando Magic of blackmail.

All of that leaves just 16 players on USA Basketball's current list of finalists to fill 12 seats on the plane to London. Final rosters are due July 7, just two days after players report to camp.