Chemistry should determine Team USA's starting five

	Elton Brand and Shane Battier may not be the flashiest forwards, but they will likely be one of the hardest-working frontcourts. AP
	RELATED • Who do you think should start for Team USA?

Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski can breathe a sigh of relief. A minor injury to Suns forward Shawn Marion (knee) made it that much easier to make "cuts" Tuesday for the 15-man squad that will represent the U.S. at this summer's World Championships in Japan. It also makes for one less headache, even if Marion's all-around versatility will be missed.

Marion's injury left Krzyzewski, who had to trim three players from the 18 who have participated in the Las Vegas training camp this week, with essentially one tough choice: Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich, who has been battling a leg injury, or Sonics guard Luke Ridnour at point. One could make a strong case for both players, but Coach K ultimately went with Hinrich. Captain Kirk can play both guard positions and is a better three-point shooter.

The other player sent home, Adam Morrison of the Bobcats, came as no surprise. The former Gonzaga sharpshooter could be a major weapon for the Olympic team down the road, but he's not there yet. Morrison, after all, is still a rookie -- and he was stuck in a crowd of small forwards. In this case, Coach K had no choice but to trim the 'Stache.

It's hard to argue with Team USA's selections. Keep in mind, several key players were already out of this year's World Championships with injuries or prior commitments: Chauncey Billups (personal reasons), Kobe Bryant (knee), Greg Oden (wrist), Lamar Odom (personal reasons) and J.J. Redick (back). But all will be back in the mix for the '08 Olympics.

While Coach K might have dodged a proverbial bullet on this "cut-down" date, he now faces the real challenge. The 15 players who will travel to Japan next month are all great players: Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Amaré Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade and Hinrich.

How do you pick a starting five from this group?