Add Chris Paul to the list of stars who might join Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. The Warriors point guard is considering another Olympic appearance, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Paul won gold medals during the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Joel Embiid would be an even bigger catch for Team USA, which lost three times in the World Cup in large part due to its lack of interior size. However, the Sixers’ big man, who holds both United States and French citizenship, remains noncommittal.
As reported earlier in the day, LeBron James is trying to round up a number of All-Stars for the Olympics.
We have more World Cup-related info:
- Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Canada to a bronze medal, believes the World Cup experience will have a positive impact on the upcoming NBA season, according to George Efkarpides of Eurohoops.net. “I think this whole tournament will help me be ready for the next season,” he said. “I’ll be in shape, I’ve played basketball, so it won’t be as much of an adjustment next season.”
- Team Canada’s coach, Jordi Fernandez, hopes the roster assembled for the World Cup returns for the Olympics, Aris Barkas of Eurohoops.net writes. We have a great program and we will decide about the Olympic roster when this time comes. But they made this happen, those guys have the number one ticket. We will hold on to those guys,” Fernandez said.
- Latvia had a strong run in the World Cup and Thunder forward Davis Bertans hopes it becomes a turning point for his country’s basketball program, he told Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops.net. “Hopefully, that inspires the kids back home,” he said. “There are a lot bunch of videos back home where instead of studying the kids were watching our games. Probably a better lesson than the one they could learn in school. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
What did Bertans say? Watch the game instead of studying? Smh.
I love the game of basketball since I was 6, and played and play since, and also trained everyday así a teenager to reach the pros.
It really is a truly.important path for kids to learn a Lot of great things for children and Young people development, AND a powerful path for a better world… but, that one of the leaders of a national team says that publicly, I don’t agree.
I don’t know the background of education un Latvia, but I Guess Bertans misfired un this one. Nevertheless, he Is a setting a good example to the young by grinding, sacrificing and working towards a goal in sports, justo by playing. His comment was just not on point.
I’m hoping something was lost in translation bc yeah that’s not a great msg
Come on guys it’s not like the books are put away for good. All Bertans is saying is that during this tournament kids were watching the games instead of doing school work. That’s normal is it not?
As a kid we were glued to the TV during Olympics time. Parents too as a family we watched. National pride. Homework can wait for half an hour or an hour.
He’s not encouraging the practice of ditching school, he’s just saying the tournament was huge for the kids back home. They were glued to the TV.
How long is a game, 40 minutes? You’ve got 3 hours after school to study. Seriously, he’s not endorsing any bad behavior at all here. Nothing Is Lost in Translation, his English is perfect.
They should not encourage missing school or relativizing it’s importance.
I don’t think , it’s something good to say in public.
Due to the time difference, games were mostly during school time in those parts of Europe with schools back on (10am to 2pm starts). In Latvia many schools stopped lessons and watched their national team on TV. It’s a country of 1.8m people, very proud for what they achieved on the world stage, not something that happens every day. I assume this is what he meant, probably lost in translation, or said half jokingly.
Might be in the minority here but I still think none of these “All Stars” who skipped the World Championships should be asked to play in the Olympics. They don’t care about our country, it’s just another chance to Pad their HOF resumes with a Gold Medal.
I am with you on this. Letting others do the dirty work and wanting to grap an Olympic Gold on the fly. Put in more effort and commitment, please.
I’m not understanding why all stars(from the US) should play in the World Cup. When they already qualified. It doesn’t make sense.
Well, the World Cup is the most important qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games. It’s where the highest ranked two teams from each of the Americas and Europe, as well as the top team from Africa, Asia and Oceania, qualify. (Plus the host of the Olympics, of course – France). If not, you can also qualify via one of the additional tourneys next year. But for those, you have to rank high in this years World Cup, too.
The US was NOT qualified before and if a team did not play at this year’s WC, there would be no chance at playing in Paris 2024.