Love might not deserve the starting role over Chandler quite yet since the reigning defensive player of the year fits better with the scoring-heavy starting lineup. But Love should be getting more national recognition than the status quo. If anything, his strong play should mark the end of coach Mike Krzyzewski's super-small lineups that lack a legitimate big man underneath (a list that is two names long).

With Love's shot efficiency and stellar production, there's no real reason why we should see the super-small lineup -- which has practically given away free points to opponents all summer -- on the floor for the rest of the tournament.

This is all to say that there should be no question that Love belongs -- on Team USA and in the NBA's elite circle.