Blake Griffin makes U.S. Olympic basketball team

Clippers All-Star power forward Blake Griffin was selected for one of the three final spots on the U.S. Olympic basketball team. Thunder guard James Harden and 76ers forward Andre Iguodala landed the other two roster spots.

The rest of Team USA, the defending gold medalists, is made up of the following: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Clippers guard Chris Paul, Nets guard Deron Williams, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Heat forward LeBron James, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love and Knicks center Tyson Chandler.

The three reserves for the team will be Hornets guard Eric Gordon, Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay and college player of the year Anthony Davis, a center from Kentucky.

The U.S. is lacking big men. Griffin, who was slowed in the playoffs by a knee injury, and Davis, who has been hobbled recently by a sprained ankle, were vying for the final spot on the front line. Griffin reportedly put on a powerful display of dunks following practice Saturday to show that he’s healthy and ready for competition.

The Americans will be without two key big men who helped secure a gold medal in Beijing: Magic center Dwight Howard and Heat forward Chris Bosh, who backed up Howard in 2008. Also unavailable is Clippers forward Lamar Odom, who helped the U.S. win the 2010 world championships.

Injuries also kept Bulls guard Derrick Rose and Heat guard Dwyane Wade from participating in the London Games.

Bryant, Paul, James, Anthony and Williams were part of the 2008 gold medalists. Durant, Westbrook, Chandler and Love played with Odom on the 2010 world championship team.

Team USA opened training camp Friday in Las Vegas and will practice there through Wednesday, then play an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic on Thursday.

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