It's hard to imagine an athlete having a better week than Anthony Davis. First, the phenom out of Kentucky was selected with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Then Chris Bosh decided to forego the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This could open a roster spot on the U.S. Men's Basketball team for Davis.
Fortunately, Chris Bosh's injury doesn't appear to be as serious as Dwyane Wade's. The Miami Heat guard will miss the Olympics to have knee surgery whereas Bosh will use the offseason to rest his abdominal muscle. The injuries to the Heat guard and forward may help two Hornets, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis, play in the Summer Olympics.
Olympics
Just one day ago, I wrote about how although it would be a tremendous honor for Hornets' guard Eric Gordon to play in the Olympics, I would still be a nervous wreck hoping he doesn't get injured. Given how excited Hornets' fans are right now to have drafted Anthony Davis, our anxiety would be magnified for our top draft pick.
Still, even if Anthony Davis plays in the Olympics, I doubt he would see a lot of action. This reminds me of the 1992 "Dream Team" when Christian Laettner was the token collegian on that squad. Anthony Davis created a lot of buzz at Kentucky and his inclusion on the 2012 U.S. Men's Basketball team could mostly be a PR move.
Competition
Given the injuries to Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, there are now 16 finalists for the 12 roster spots on the 2012 Summer Olympics U.S. Men's Basketball team. The forwards and centers who are finalists for the Olympics are obviously more experienced than Anthony Davis. But Davis could make the team over a couple of them.
Rudy Gay is highly underrated as a member of the small market Memphis Grizzlies. But if head coach Mike Krzyzewski is determined to choose Anthony Davis, Gay could get cut. But while researching this article, I was shocked to see that Lamar Odom was also a finalist. Anthony Davis should definitely be an Olympian over Odom.
I have a feeling Krzyzewski will choose Anthony Davis for the U.S. Men's Basketball team for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Chris Bosh's injury and Lamar Odom's forgettable 2011-12 season may make that happen. It would be fun seeing the New Orleans Hornets' top draft pick and his unibrow invade the London Olympics!
Patrick Michael was born in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. A loyal New Orleans NBA fan, Patrick was a diehard New Orleans Jazz fan and now cheers for the Hornets. Patrick was in attendance the night the Hornets were one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Follow Patrick Michael on Twitter at patmichael84.
Sources
Tim Reynolds, "Bosh to miss Olympics to rest abdominal injury," yahoo.com
"2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Team Finalists Roster," usabasketball.com
"2008 USA Basketball Men's Olympic Team Roster," usabasketball.com
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