As the most talented country basketball-wise in the world, the United States Men's National Basketball Team wouldn't have any shortage 19 world-class players hoping to grasp one of 12 roster spots available for the 2014 F.I.B.A World Cup.

All-star power forwards Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, and LaMarcus Aldridge pulled out of the team due to personal reasons, leaving Team USA without it's three most talented big men: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard also won't be competing. 

Anthony Davis (20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds per game), Paul Millsap (17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds per game), and Kenneth Faried (13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds per game) round up the power forwards, while DeMarcus Cousins (22.7 points, 11.7 rebounds per game) and Andre Drummond (13.5 points, 13.2 rebounds per game) are the centers. 

Davis and Cousins are locks to make the team, and will likely be the team's starters. Millsap's long range shooting ability is needed with the absence of Kevin Love, and will likely get the nod over Faried. Drummond's size and rebounding ability will be much needed, so he'll likely make the squad. 

With Davis, Millsap, Cousins, and Drummond likely to make the squad - Kevin Durant and Chandler Parsons (if he makes the squad) will likely play power forward at some point as well - let's take a look at why they'll need to step up and play to the best of their abilities. 

No Love, Griffin, or Aldridge

As previously noted, USA will be without three all-star big men in Love, Griffin, and Aldridge. Love is easily the best stretch four in the NBA, so his ability to space the floor and draw other big men out to the three point line will be missed. Paul Millsap is the only pure big men on the roster with long range shooting ability (76 made threes, 35,8% from three-point range last season), and he'll need to be able to consistently knock down jumpers and play in the post.

Love, Griffin, and Aldridge are all very good scorers from the post and with their back to the basket. In Europe, big men are taught from the outside-in, while in America their taught inside-out. With that being said, not many European big men have much experience guarding skilled low post scorers. Davis, Millsap, and Cousins all have solid post games - Drummond being the only odd ball - and will need to show it during the cup. 

Davis, Millsap, Cousins, and Drummond will be heavily relied upon, and will need to adjust to it quickly. Davis, Millsap, and Cousins were their respective team's top scoring option last season, so their used to being relied upon. However, they aren't the best players on Team USA and won't get the ball as much, so they'll have to adjust. 

Spain's array of big men

NBA power forward/centers Serge Ibaka (15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds per game), Pau Gasol (17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds per game), and Marc Gasol (14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds per game) will suit up for their native Spain, creating an outstanding group of big men that will be a force to reckon with. Ibaka and Pau Gasol are very versatile, and can nearly do it all on both ends of the floor. Marc Gasol is more of a defensive specialist. 

Davis can do it all on both ends, but doesn't have the strength to battle with Marc Gasol. Cousins is too strong for Ibaka and Pau Gasol, but isn't good enough defensively to keep up with any of the big Spanish three. Drummond is too strong for Ibaka and Pau Gasol and too quick for Marc Gasol, but struggles to make costless throws and can't make a shot outside of three feet. Millsap isn't quick or strong enough battle with any member of the Spanish big three, and would just be used to space the floor. 

So what should Team USA do to exploit their weaknesses and Spain's strengths? Keep atleast two of USA's four natural big men on the floor at all times. 

Coach K. will likely use smaller lineups with Durant or Parsons at power forward throughout the cup, but both guys are too small to battle the Spanish big three and would embarrassingly get pushed around. That's why either Davis and Cousins, Drummond and Cousins, or any other combination of USA's big men will be needed on the court at all times. Doing so gives USA unlimited size and length at all times. 

With Davis protecting the rim, Cousins being so skilled offensivley, Drummond dominating the glass, and Millsap making outside shots, USA will have enough fire power to battle with the versatile Spanish big men.