Blake Named One of 20 finalists for the 2012 USA Olympic Team

Today, Blake was named to the pool of finalists that the Olympic team will be chosen from.  Of the 20, 18 of them were on the gold medal teams from the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World Championships

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.(ESPN)

The only 2 new additions to this list are Griffin and LeMarcus Aldridge because they have had a lack of big men in the past.

Of these 20 players, 12 will be on the official roster and 6 will be tabbed as reserves.  After discussing with some buddies, I believe that the 12 will be Chris Paul, D. Rose, and Deron Williams at the point, Kobe and D Wade at the 2, LeBron, Carmello, and Durant at small forward, Kevin Love and Blake at power forward, and Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler at center.

I think ultimately, if injuries aren't a factor, the 2 that will be eliminated are Chauncy Billups (he's clutch, but old and there are too many point guards) and Lamar Odom who's mind isn't entirely into basketball at this point after reports of him considering a year off from the game have emerged.

This team is as nasty as we've seen since the original Dream Team in 1992, so expect big things out of this squad.

Introducing the 'New Clippers'

A new era is emerging in the 'other' home locker room at the Staples Center.  After years and years of misery, the present and future looks bright for the Clippers.  On Wednesday, the league approved a trade where Chris Paul would go to the Clippers and Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and the 2012 Timberwolves' first round draft pick would go to the Hornets.

What does this mean for Blake Griffin?

In a nutshell, this deal combined with the re-signing of DeAndre Jordan, creates probably the most explosive combination in basketball.  Personally, I'm salivating over the thought of CP3 throwing up lobs to 2 of the 3 top dunkers in the NBA.  We've seen the way Paul makes the game so easy for talented players like Tyson Chandler, and now he has 2 guys that can jump out of the gym to pass to.

I fully expect this dynamic to produce enormous amounts of highlight reel dunks and easy transition baskets for the Clippers as they stride into the playoffs.  They might even win a series or 2.  Wouldn't that be something?