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If you're trying to imagine the most high-profile basketball players out there, you probably aren't thinking about Andre Iguodala or James Harden that much when it comes to the United States men's basketball team. Yet you can figure on both of them playing a crucial role at the London 2012 games as bench performers.
Iguodala will be the primary backup forward off the bench, and he'll serve as a versatile wing defender who can provide several useful skills as an athletic slasher who can shoot threes and guard a team's best perimeter scorer. Iguodala is one of those guys who won't get much play because LeBron James will be playing a lot at this position, but considering he's the only other true small forward on the team his versatility will come in handy.
James Harden won't be playing his conventional sixth man role; he'll be buried much deeper on the bench this time, but he could very well play a pivotal role as a playmaker. Harden has a great dribble-drive game for the international format, and you have to figure he'll be in good shape.
The United States will play France, Tunisia, Nigeria, Lithuania and Argentina in group play.
Talk about Iguodala with Arizona fans at Arizona Desert Swarm, and about Harden with ASU fans at House of Sparky.
For more on the 2012 Olympics, make sure to check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.
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