Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo said when the time comes to pick the roster for the 2020 Olympic team, he won’t forget those players who backed out of commitments to play in the FIBA World Cup this summer.
Of the 35 players from the U.S. national player pool, only four – forward Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings, forward Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks, point guard Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics and center Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers– are in China for this tournament.
Players from the national team pool who committed, then withdrew for various reasons include guard Bradley Beal of Washington, center Anthony Davis of New Orleans, center Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons, forward Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets, guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets, forward Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers, guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, forward Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers, guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, leaving the U.S. with a seriously under manned team that lost to France in the quarterfinals and then to Serbia in the 5-8 semi-finals and can finish no higher than seventh in the final standings.
Lowry attended mini- camp in Vegas but couldn’t play because of rehab from thumb surgery. Two other potentially key players—forwards Jayson Tatum of the Celtics and Kyle Kuzma—might have helped in the competition. But Kuzma injured an ankle the exhibitions in Australia and was sent home and Tatum, who made the team and was a starter, missed four games—including both losses– with an ankle sprain.
This is a low point for USA basketball and brought back bitter memories of the 2002 World Championship team that finished sixth on home soil in Indianapolis.
“I can only say, you can’t help but notice and remember who you thought you were going to war with and who didn’t show up,’’ Colangelo said. “I’m a firm believer that you deal with the cards you are dealt. All we could have done, and we did it, is get commitments from a lot of players. So with that kind of a hand, you feel reasonably confident that you are going to be able to put a very good, representative tam on the court.
“No one could have anticipated the pullouts that we had.’’
Injuries are one thing. But it seems reasonable to assume that will always be some defections, given a 40- day commitment and the late summer dates of an expanded 32 country World Cup, which finish up Sunday, just three weeks before the start for training camp. With that in mind, it is logical to believe Team USA will always have to scramble for players unless it can convince FIBA to change the international schedule and play two years before the summer games again.
The days of the three-year commitment like the one Colangelo and Krzyzewski were able to get from stars back in 2006-08 are likely over.
“I’m always thinking ahead, which means what’s going to take place, and it’s going to happen fast and soon because we just have to get our act together for the Olympics,’’ Colangelo said. “
