Team USA Basketball News: Are Injuries to Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard Threatening America's Chance at A Gold Medal?

When the NBA announced its lockout shortened season, many observers felt that playing 4 or 5 times a week in the truncated schedule would lead to an injury riddled season. While those dire predictions didn't seem to affect the season, they may be taking their toll on the American's Olympic hopes.

Blake Griffin, the latest player to be hurt, will miss the Olympics after tearing the meniscus in his left knee in a team practice.

He joins Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Derrick Rose, and Dwight Howard as officially ruled out of the games, Chris Paul is also hurt with a thumb sprain. Paul should be able to play in the games, but he has sat out since hurting himself on the first day of camp.

Team USA is the prohibitive favorite at the games given their history of incredible success, especially at the Olympics. They have come home with a medal from each of the 16 Olympic Games that the team has competed in, including 13 golds.

But now thanks to the rash of injuries, especially in their front court, the Americans are looking mortal to some of the better teams in the games.

Team USA now has a front court of Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love and number one overall pick Anthony Davis. The next biggest players on the roster are Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and LeBron James. James has played some power forward in Miami but neither Durant nor Anthony has the game to play down low.

Spain with its front court of Marc and Pau Gasol as well as Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka will present serious matchup problems for the Americans as will the Chinese team that has two players over seven feet tall, and two at 6'11.

Just ten years ago, Team USA saw its lowest moment ever when they finished sixth at the 2002 World Championships then barely scraped a bronze at the 2004 Olympics. Since then, the American's have put much more effort and emphasis on the sport and their dominance returned.

Now, suddenly, that dominance is threatened again and the Americans will have to hope that players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant can engineer the type of impressive performances that will keep Team USA on the medal stand.

Blake Griffin, the latest player to be hurt, will miss the Olympics after tearing the meniscus in his left knee in a team practice.

He joins Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Derrick Rose, and Dwight Howard as officially ruled out of the games, Chris Paul is also hurt with a thumb sprain. Paul should be able to play in the games, but he has sat out since hurting himself on the first day of camp.

Team USA is the prohibitive favorite at the games given their history of incredible success, especially at the Olympics. They have come home with a medal from each of the 16 Olympic Games that the team has competed in, including 13 golds.

But now thanks to the rash of injuries, especially in their front court, the Americans are looking mortal to some of the better teams in the games.

Team USA now has a front court of Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love and number one overall pick Anthony Davis. The next biggest players on the roster are Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and LeBron James. James has played some power forward in Miami but neither Durant nor Anthony has the game to play down low.

Spain with its front court of Marc and Pau Gasol as well as Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka will present serious matchup problems for the Americans as will the Chinese team that has two players over seven feet tall, and two at 6'11.

Just ten years ago, Team USA saw its lowest moment ever when they finished sixth at the 2002 World Championships then barely scraped a bronze at the 2004 Olympics. Since then, the American's have put much more effort and emphasis on the sport and their dominance returned.

Now, suddenly, that dominance is threatened again and the Americans will have to hope that players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant can engineer the type of impressive performances that will keep Team USA on the medal stand.