Blake Griffen Added To 2012 USA Basketball Team

NEW YORK — Choosing from the best of two gold-medal winners, the U.S. Olympic team might be better than both of them.

“This will be the most talented of the three teams that I’ve had the opportunity to coach,”

coach Mike Krzyzewski said Monday during a conference call.

The Americans announced the 20 players who will be candidates for the London Games, adding Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland to the 18 holdovers from either the 2008 Olympics or 2010 world championship who have said they wish to be considered again.

The 12-man roster and alternates for the Olympics will be chosen from the new player pool in June.

Returning from the team that won gold in Beijing are: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

Back from the reigning world champions are: Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Tyson Chandler, Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala.

“I like the fact that we have a roster full of guys who’ve been champions, either in the Olympics or world championships, and guys who are excited to play,”

Krzyzewski said.