When I first conceptualized this post, it was earlier today based on the 15-man roster of Team USA which NBC Sports posted. Or more specifically, these are the players who will be competing for a spot on the final 12-man squad that will participate in the FIBA Basketball World Cup (lol), which begins later this month on the 31st:
| Bam Adebayo (Heat) Harrison Barnes (Kings) Jaylen Brown (Celtics) Kyle Kuzma (Lakers) Brook Lopez (Bucks) | Kyle Lowry (Raptors) Khris Middleton (Bucks) Donovan Mitchell (Jazz) Mason Plumlee (Nuggets) Marcus Smart (Celtics) | Jayson Tatum (Celtics) P.J. Tucker (Rockets) Myles Turner (Pacers) Kemba Walker (Celtics) Thaddeus Young (Bulls) |
The above-linked article is based on the idea that, relatively-speaking, Team USA this year is "lacking in star power". That is to say offhand that none of the 20 most-popular players in the NBA are truly interested in participating on this team. And this is alarming considering that in the world of sports, unless an athlete is also a reality-TV star, popularity is usually tied directly to how good he or she is. Like you aren't likely to see the basketball stars of other countries willingly bowing out.
The only bona fide star currently on Team USA is Kemba Walker. My problem with its composition isn't so much the talent level as the idea that it is a somewhat unconventional mix of old and young players. That is to say that with the exception of Walker no older heads (i.e. the hobbled Kyle Lowry) should be a part of this team. My reason for making this assumption is that under such circumstances, even if Team USA does get their ass bust by some European squad, at least they'll be must-watch TV.
Well it seems that the powers-that-be also picked up on that vibe, because since then they've added De'Aaron Fox to the mix. Logically he would be a replacement for Kyle Lowry, but who knows. But as for how the team is currently constructed, three Celtics (Brown, Tatum and Walker) should be the starters along with Myles Turner and Donovan Mitchell or Kyle Kuzma. I'm making this assertion primarily from an entertainment-value standpoint. And of course Fox is likely to make the final cut, again largely in the name of entertainment. Also fukit, might as well throw Trae Young up in there also. Yes that would be too many point-guards, but at least we'll likely see some some foreign player get the sh*t cut out of him.
Also, despite egos being hurt, Greg Popovich shouldn't try to play everybody, because niggas aren't even really deep like that. He has to take the approach of sticking to a solid rotation with defensive variables such as Marcus Smart and Bam Adebayo. In fact this team should perhaps be more preoccupied with defense than anything else.
The sad part is that no matter how they perform, once the Olympics roll around next year and niggas like Lebron and AD are likely down to play, some of these selfsame players who may be sacrificing a part of their egos to play on this NBA-standard (as in mediocre) international team will be completely forgotten. But perhaps this same reality will be their inspiration to perform well and at least win the Cup (lol) this summer. Also logically, maybe half of them would be called to play in the Olympics also, as given the current trend of non-participation we can't smugly take for granted that the stars will even be down to participate the Olympics next summer.
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