Competitors.

Within the next 24 hours or so, four players will be cut from Team USA’s roster. Rajon Rondo might be one of them.

Though Coach K said he “loves” Rondo, Chauncey Billups noted he was highly impressed by Rondo, Jerry Colangelo rated Rondo’s chances to make the Team as “very good, very good,” and Kevin Durant named Rondo as the one player he most looked forward to playing with, speculation remains that Rondo might be among the players cut.

John Schuhmann listed Rondo among seven potential cuts, citing the following reasons. (NBA.com)

Rondo had seven assists on Saturday, but didn’t really distinguish himself. Defensively, he’s exactly what Krzyzewski wants (a ball-hawk), but offensively, the other three point guards in consideration are better suited for the international game. And indications are that both Rose and Westbrook outplayed Rondo over the course of the week.

I saw the scrimmage the other night, and Schuhmann was right. Rondo didn’t distinguish himself. Not at all. But if you surround Rondo with good scorers you could be playing with NBA rules, FIBA rules or Slamball rules and it wouldn’t matter: It’s always good to have a point guard who can distribute. And Rondo is by far the best passer among the players trying out for the national team. There’s a reason Durant wanted to play with him so badly.

By the way, Chris Sheridan named six players likely to get cut and Rondo was not on the list. Let’s hope Sheridan has better psychic powers than Schuhmann.