Team USA's Redemption Begins

Training camp for Team USA's World Championship squad begins today in Las Vegas.

Sactown's own Brad Miller is one of the 17 NBA players vying for 12 roster spots heading in August's tournament in Japan. (Add in that Amare Stoudemire is one of the 17, and I'm not sure the Suns will have him play this summer.) Miller is the only true center on the roster, so it's roundly expected he'll make the squad.

Here's my current projected depth chart (with Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Lamar Odom, Michael Redd, J.J. Reddick, Greg Oden, Chauncey Billups, and Stoudemire likely sitting out):

On my team, Hinrich beats out Luke Ridnour every day of the week and twice on Tuesdays. I'll take Battier over Bruce Bowen or Adam Morrison (and I think Coach K would agree). I don't think Antawn Jamison or Joe Johnson even belong in the discussion at this point. Howard could very easily start over Miller, but a jump-shooting center would look good next to Brand. I could also very easily see Wade starting at the point, James sliding into the off-guard, and one of Anthony or Marion getting into the starting lineup.

I'll say this: Chris Paul and Kirk Hinrich are the keystones for this team over the next three years. I look at the roster, and I see a lot of dudes who need the ball. Paul and Hinrich have to get it to them. In this sense, Miller could also become a hero, racking up assist after assist.

I love international competition, so I'm very stoked about a serious Team USA. We'll keep tabs as training camp moves along.