USA Basketball has finalized its 12-man roster for this summer’s Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press details. Team USA will head into the 2016 Olympics looking to win its third straight Gold medal in basketball. Barring any injuries or other unforeseen circumstances, the following 12 players will be representing America in Brazil this summer:
- Carmelo Anthony, F
- Harrison Barnes, F
- Jimmy Butler, G/F
- DeMarcus Cousins, C
- DeMar DeRozan, G
- Kevin Durant, F
- Paul George, F
- Draymond Green, F/C
- Kyrie Irving, G
- DeAndre Jordan, C
- Kyle Lowry, G
- Klay Thompson, G
While Team USA’s roster features a bevy of All-Stars, former Olympians, and an MVP winner, many notable players declined invitations to play in Rio this summer. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden are among those who withdrew from consideration.
I’m not trying to sound arrogant or seem ignorant but why do these stars turn down or withdraw from this? If injuries are a concern I understand but if you’re healthy why would you pass on this opportunity to represent your country and just run through other teams?
I find it selfish for them to not participate in something honorable and amazing. But I also understand I’m not an athlete on their level so I don’t understand the grind of an NBA season. I also never joined the military as a young guy, I regret that decision often but I was selfish and immature. I’m not trying to put these guys down but I honestly scratch my head when I see people saying no to this and wonder the reason. Injuries and family is understandable but they signed up to be athletes and faces of sports entertainment, you would think representing the country that makes them so famous is something they wouldn’t even have to consider.
Give me feedback, because I honestly don’t wanna sound too harsh or rude. Just curious others opinions and thoughts.
I think you hit it on the head with the injuries. They’re not get paid to represent their country in the Olympics. So their thinking is why should risk injury and valuable rest time to play in an event they’re expected to win. Their first allegiance is to the team that signs their paycheck.
And the NBA is a grind. When the season starts there’s very little rest time. I was friends with Keith Van Horn when he played in the league and he never referred to it as a game, instead he called it his job. Granted that’s just one players interpretation but I’m willing to bet he wasn’t the only one that felt that way.
I think as an owner there’s no way I’d let my players play for the Olympic team and risking injury. I think they should go back to only allowing amateur players. The competition would be better at least.
what’s KVH up to these days? i still have his jersey from his Sixers days
Living in a suburb outside of Denver in the foothills of the Rockies. Spends his time coaching his kids in sports snd runs a private fly fishing preserve. Last time we spoke he didn’t miss the NBA at all and has no desire to coach at any level except youth. Haha
Regardless of whether or not a guy is pefectly healthy going into international play, the risk of injury is still a very valid concern. Surprising to see Paul George on the team after his World Cup experience.
The injury risk is the big thing. Paul George is the obvious example of what could possibly happen. Aside from that and recovering from injuries, the other big thing has been the whole Zika virus thing. But aside from that, some players just want to be able to relax. LeBron, for example, has been to 6 straight finals plus an Olympics during that span. That’s a lot of mileage for any player, let alone LeBron who has been playing since he was 18 and has a ton of regular season/playoff mileage and is on the wrong side of 30. Sometimes these guys just want to be able to rest up and relax and prepare for the upcoming season. They technically don’t have to play in these international competitions, its their right not to do so.