Why Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh Are Starting a Dangerous Precedent for U.S. Hoops - Bleacher Report

Since the 1989 FIBA ruling allowed NBA players to compete in the Olympics, the United States rosters have showcased a venerable collection of the game's best of the best.

From Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson on the '92 "Dream Team" to Kobe Bryant and LeBron James on the '08 "Redeem Team", the NBA's elite have given their time and effort in helping America maintain it's dominance of international basketball.

An invitation to simply compete for a place on the national team is one of the highest honors a basketball player can receive. But being given a roster spot on that team is being guaranteed a place in basketball history.

So concern was probably the best way to describe the feelings of the collective fan base when word broke that Dwyane Wade would not participate in next month's Olympics.

In his defense, he needs knee surgery before the start of the 2012-13 NBA season and felt he could not afford the delay the Olympic Games would present.

But Wade's absence from the team marks the departure of the top scorer from that Redeem Team. Wade averaged 16.0 points during that eight game march to gold, despite seeing just the sixth most minutes on the team (18.8).

But with word that now Chris Bosh has pulled his name from Olympic consideration, there are more than just concerns for this roster. 

Remember, injuries have already cost Team U.S.A. Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, LaMarcus Aldridge and Chauncey Billups. 

Bosh's absence leaves a void in the post with Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love the only big men considered locks for a spot on the team. Throw in the fact that Bosh led the 2008 team in rebounds (6.1) and had the second-highest field goal percentage (.774), there are now legitimate worries surrounding this team.

Which big man should Team U.S.A. choose?

Which big man should Team U.S.A. choose?

• Blake Griffin

• Lamar Odom

• Anthony Davis

• Other (specify in comments)

• Total votes: 0

Blake Griffin, Lamar Odom and Thursday night's number one pick, Anthony Davis, will compete for at least spot on the roster, which will be officially announced on July 7.

But the precedent that Bosh and Wade may be setting could be doing something far worse than weakening this rosterâ€"it could be a return to the shocking mediocrity that early 2000's Team U.S.A. basketball experienced.

After narrowly escaping with a two-point victory in the 2000 semifinal against Lithuania, the American team rebounded with a 10-point victory in the championship game.

By 2002, many of the league's top stars (including Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant) had declined invitations from Team U.S.A. and the American's "B" team suffered the first defeat for any U.S.A. team featuring NBA players, falling to Argentina in the FIBA World Championships.

By the end of the tournament, they had added losses two and three for NBA-led American teams.

The 2004 Olympic team clearly bettered the star power of that disastrous FIBA roster, but the team struggled just the same.

This team earned their own undesired place in history, as just the third Team U.S.A. to fail to win the Gold Medal (they did "manage" the bronze), and the first to do so with a roster of NBA players. Not to mention, that the U.S. had only two losses on its entire Olympic basketball resume prior to this tournament, before dropping three contests in this Olympic Games.

Both Wade and Bosh clearly have their minds focused on the opportunity to become repeat NBA champions, and their value to Miami's roster cannot be overstated.

But it only takes a few more moves like this before the Americans are bumped from their top spot on the championship podium, or even bumped from the podium altogether.