The U.S. men's basketball team "might be lacking the superstar tally of previous Olympic teams," but this iteration "still has enough talent to continue America's dominance of international competition," according to Michael Lee of THE VERTICAL. LeBron James and Stephen Curry both decided not to play so they could rest, but Kyrie Irving is competing, and Kevin Durant has "decided to chase his second gold medal." This is "neither the Dream Team nor the Team of Leftovers." Even "without Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge or Damian Lillard, this is still a very capable unit and the prohibitive gold-medal favorite" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/27). USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt wrote it "speaks volumes" that USA Basketball Chair Jerry Colangelo "still has a team favored to win a third consecutive gold medal" despite the number of All-Stars who will not be participating in Rio. Colangelo: "You have 12 dedicated guys who have committed to be part of this and represent their country and that in itself is a big statement. ... There’s been a lot said about those who are not participating, and it should be more about who is participating and what they bring to the table" (USA TODAY, 6/28). In N.Y., Victor Mather wrote most players skipped due to a "grueling NBA schedule just completed and another one around the corner." But the best U.S. gymnasts or volleyball players "would not pass up an Olympic opportunity." Additionally, most international men’s basketball stars "keep playing for their home countries as long as they can" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/28).
| TEAM USA MEMBERS |
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Knicks F Carmelo Anthony
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Pacers F Paul George
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Warriors F Harrison Barnes
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Warriors F Draymond Green
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Bulls G Jimmy Butler
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Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving
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Kings C DeMarcus Cousins
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Clippers C DeAndre Jordan
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Raptors G DeMar DeRozan
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Raptors G Kyle Lowry
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Thunder F Kevin Durant
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Warriors G Klay Thompson
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EXPERIENCE MATTERS: NBA.com's John Schuhmann noted only two of the 12 players on Team USA -- Durant and Anthony -- "were on the squad that won gold in London" four years ago. Half of the team also "has never played in an international competition on the senior level." Colangelo and Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski "named a pool of 30 players in January," and by the time the NBA season ended, they "basically had to go through the whole list before coming up with 12 guys who were both willing and able to play in Rio" (
NBA.com, 6/27). CBSSPORTS.com's Jonah Keri wrote the players' individual decisions deserve respect "whatever the rationale," as they are "under no obligation to play for Team USA." But some "skeptics might've begun to wonder: Does anyone still want to represent his country?" (
CBSSPORTS.com, 6/27). In Salt Lake City, Kurt Kragthorpe wrote, "I'm convinced this year's issues are more about Rio than you might imagine. If these Games were being staged in Chicago ... NBA players would be finding fewer reasons to stay home this summer." Kragthorpe: "But I won't criticize anyone for not playing." The Olympics should "represent opportunity, not obligation, and how athletes view their personal circumstances is up to them" (
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 6/28). THE UNDEFEATED's Marc Spears wrote this is "far from the sexiest team to wear red, white and blue," but that "doesn't mean these Americans aren't great" (
THEUNDEFEATED.com, 6/28).
TIME FOR A CHANGE? In Houston, Brian Smith writes James will not play, along with a "ridiculously self-absorbed collection of the NBA's finest," but he "gets a pass." The rest of the NBA's "me-first, brand-second, country-third superstars could use a week-long reminder course in why they're actually playing basketball for a living." Smith: "If I'm commissioner Adam Silver, I'm privately fuming while considering a David Stern-style wrath-of-God attack on the Olympic decision-makers unable to sway the sport's biggest names." The players who said no are "far more impressive than the ones actually coaxed into uttering yes." Curry, Westbrook and others are "fooling themselves if they think they're too tired or spread thin to wear gold" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/28).
