On 7/25 Team USA announced 15 finalists for 12 roster spots for the FIBA World Championships. By Saturday, 8/19 at latest, Coach Duke has to whittle it down to 12.

Then....there were thirteen....

Amare Stoudemire is off the roster because of his rehab from knee surgery. Gilbert Arenas is out as of today because of groin injury.

Who will be taking a solo airplane ride back to the U.S.A.?

P.S. Carmelo, Wade and LeBron are absolutes.

Bowen or Battier is gone.

It will definitely be someone whose name starts with B.

I'd say Bowen is gone. He hasn't played much at all, and I'm not sure someone who won't shoot can really play in the international game.

The rest of the B's are on the bubble - Bosh, Brand, Battier.

I think it will be Battier. This team has too many forwards. You can't play them all and have any sensible rotation.

Coach Duke spoke glowingly and very specifically about Howard, Miller, Brand and Bosh at the post-game Lithunania press conference. So I bet they're all in.

I think they'll keep Bowen around for the veteran defensive emphasis factor. I know he hasn't played many minutes, but he could play that role of the player/defensive coach on the bench. He's pretty fiery, and wouldn't hesitate to lay into those superstars if they're laming out on defense.

Then again Jamison could go. He doesn't seem to be fitting into whatever the system is very well. But he can shoot, so...who knows?

Hey, Roscoe, dba no vote on my first poll? C'mon, commit yourselves.

I thought Bowen, but then I saw you guys went for Battier and it almost swayed me. I'll still go with my original. Nobody outside of Detroit cares much about defense.

How come Linwood wasn't an option to vote off the island?

Brad Miller is out. Why was he there anyway??????

He's the only true center on the roster and he does have an outside shot and good passing skills. Coach Duke (I wish I had a better nickname for him, I refuse to call him Coach K.). Let's face it, there aren't many good true centers in the whole NBA when you look for them.

Dwight Howard, who is listed as PF/C, is starting and playing at center for this team. Howard started as center in both the China and Brazil exhibition games and Elton Brand (listed as PF) started as center in Lithuania game.

So Brad Miller does look like a backup center option, and maybe he will be the one "leaving on a jet plane" as you surmise. However, Coach Dukie gives him acclimades at every press conference so far.

You are probably correct. I would wave bye bye to Mr Miller, however, Coach K will most likely keep him, along with his homeboy Mr Battier.

Shane played for Coach American Express. And, the Country Day alum is one of those guys (like Tayshaun) who can do it all, and makes an impact while playing a support role. Gotta have one of those guys on a team full of super-superstars.

I think Bowen is the odd man out. He is a great defender, but isn't versatile, and doesn't have the great name recognition that the rest do. Allthough, I'm not so sure that K is wowed by athleticism like some of us regular folks... hmmm. Maybe it will be Jaminson.

Relief! A nickname for Coach Kzcvzcvski. Thanks Linwood! Coach American Express or Coach AMEX.

I forgot that Shane Battier played for Coach AMEX at Duke. I want to change my vote to Jamison.