James Harden and Dwight Howard among 30 U.S. Team Finalists

James Harden and Dwight Howard among 30 finalists for 2016 U.S.A. Olympic Team

USA Basketball announced their short list for the 2016 Olympic Team today (January 18th). Included among those 30 players are the two Houston Rockets leaders James Harden and Dwight Howard.

The full list of players (by position) making the initial cut are:

Point Guards: (6)

• Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
• Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
• John Wall (Washington Wizards)
• Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Shooting Guards: (5)

• Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
• Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls)
• DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
• James Harden (Houston Rockets)
• Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

Small Forwards: (9)

• Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
• Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors)
• Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings)
• Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
• Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz)
• Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)
• LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)

Power Forwards: (5)

• LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs)
• Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)
• *Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
• Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
• Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Centers: (5)

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• *Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets)
• *DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
• *Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
• DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)

*Note all of these players are capable of playing power forward or center

The list of 30 has to be narrowed down to 12 and based on how the short list of 30 break downs by position the area USA Basketball is focused on is their wings.

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