The United States Olympic basketball team was announced Saturday, a bit more than six weeks after NBA commissioner David Stern said perhaps it was time to revisit the notion of NBA players competing in the event.

This is the 20th anniversary of the United States using pro basketball players in the Olympics. The "Dream Team" came about after the U.S. had to settle for the bronze in the '88 Olympics using college players (the majority of the team had been taken in the '88 NBA draft, but because they had yet to play a pro game, they were eligible for the Olympics).

[ Related: No-lympians: NBA pros who withdrew from the Olympics ]

The "Dream Team" idea has taken some of the mystery out of the Olympics basketball competition; the United States won gold in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008, though the Americans only won bronze in 2004. That was one of just four times the U.S. has not won gold since basketball became an Olympic sport in 1936; the U.S. famously finished second, to the Soviet Union, in 1972, and did not compete in the 1980 Olympics because of a boycott.

Stern said in late May there might need to be an age limit (23 and under) placed on U.S. competitors in basketball. That's likely what is going to happen, and since sports fans like the “what if?” game: What if no pros were allowed in these Olympics? What would the U.S. team look like?

Here is one opinion.





Starters





C Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Buzz: He is on the current U.S. team, as an alternate. He would be the focal point of the U.S. defensive effort, and given some of the quirky rules in international basketball (including being able to take the ball off the rim) Davis' defensive presence would be even bigger than usual.



F Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Buzz: An athletic big man who is ferocious on the boards, he would pair well with Davis. Robinson is an effective low-post scorer and also has the ability to nail the occasional 15-footer. His quickness would be an asset against opposing big men who like to step outside and shoot.



F Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Buzz: His perimeter shooting would make him an important part of the team. Did he live up to his high school hype at North Carolina? No. But he is a talented offensive player who also is able to put the ball on the floor and is a decent rebounder. He also could see some minutes at guard if the U.S. team wanted to go bigger.



G Isaiah Canaan, Murray State

Buzz: He is super-quick, and his pesky defense would bother opposing guards. Canaan is also a good passer with 3-point range. He plays bigger than his listed height of 6 feet, and he isn't afraid to mix it up in the lane.



G Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Buzz: A team with this many scorers needs a pass-first point man, and Marshall is that guy. This team is filled with great athletes who can run all day, and Marshall thrives as the orchestrator of an up-tempo attack.







Reserves





F Draymond Green, Michigan State

Buzz: His solid all-around game would make him a valuable member of the squad. His passing ability, especially, would be a useful trait. He's a tough-minded guy who doesn't mind doing a lot of the dirty work, and it would be interesting to see him working with a talented center (i.e., Davis).



F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Buzz: He's another tough-minded guy who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. His athletic ability would prove bothersome to numerous opposing forwards, and he runs the floor as well as most guards. He also brings a "get-it-done" attitude.



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