USA will miss Davis but still have plenty of firepower

NEW ORLEANS (2016 Rio Olympics) - If there's one thing that the United States do not have a shortage of, it's talent. Their pool of players to draw from just several months away from the start of the Rio de Janeiro Games is as deep as it has ever been.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski will have to go a little bit deeper into that pool than anticipated, though, when choosing the squad following power forward Anthony Davis's decision to have a shoulder operation. Davis has been playing with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder for the past three years and has elected to have surgery, which will sideline him for four to five months.

The 23-year-old New Orleans Pelicans star played on title-winning teams at the 2012 Olympics and more recently at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Americans went unbeaten in both tournaments. Their performance in Spain two years ago, particularly in the Final against Serbia, left no doubt that the Americans would be the team to beat in Brazil.

That team had Davis, though. He averaged 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He was always one of the best players on the court.

"It's definitely tough," Davis said on the Pelicans website of missing the Olympics. "Twenty-three years old - (I could play in) a couple more Olympics, maybe."

I love USA Basketball, loved when I played in 2012, loved the World Cup in 2014. It was definitely a tough decision (to have surgery). But I think everyone understands that health is more important than (being) on the floor. I love playing for USA Basketball and representing my country. Hopefully I’ll get a chance again to play for Team USA. - Davis

USA will remain the strong favorites to win the title, something they also did in 2008. Davis' absence will open the door to another superstar to grace the Olympic stage. Who might have a better chance of making the squad if Davis is not there?

There are plenty of big men who have experience with the USA like Andre Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins, players in the squad two years ago. There is the possibility that another finalist, DeAndre Jordan, could force his way into the Americans' plans.

There is also the chance that Colangelo and Krzyzewski would prefer to have another point guard, shooting guard or small forward. Anything is possible. Davis, though, is a player the Americans probably would have liked to have had once again.

Colangelo said in a statement: "Everyone involved in USA Basketball and the USA Men's National Team was extremely disappointed to learn about Anthony's season-ending injury and the pending surgeries, which will make him unavailable for this summer's Olympics. However, Anthony getting back to 100 percent is what is most important at this time. We wish AD a quick and full recovery and look forward to having him represent the United States again."

There are now 30 finalists for the 12 spots on the USA roster.

FIBA