Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and Golden State forward Harrison Barnes have committed to play for Team USA in the Summer Olympics, according to published reports. “We have lightning-quick guards who can score and distribute the basketball. I think we have some terrific defenders as well as terrific shooters, and the versatility is over the top”.
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Green has played at the 2011 World University Games in China and was also a member of the 2014 USA Men’s Select Team.
The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony becomes the first man to represent USA Basketball in four Olympics and will try to become the first American man with three gold medals after playing on victorious U.S. teams in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
Durant and Anthony will serve as the team’s elder statesmen.
Jordan and Barnes have never made an All-Star team, though the former did earn first team All-NBA honours this past season.
Kyrie Irving is the only player from the 2016 National Basketball Association champion Cleveland Cavaliers to be included in the squad, while three Golden State names, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green, all made the cut. During that span, the USA won world championships in 2010 and 2014 and Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. He will be assisted by Syracuse Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams.
Just five days after the final showcase game, the USA will open Group A play in Rio Aug. 6 against China.
The roster was approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors and is pending final approval by the United States Olympic Committee. The United States’ opening game in Rio is scheduled for August 6 against China at 6 p.m. In 2004, Argentina took the gold and the US ended up with a bronze medal. So, not only is the United States eager to win its third straight gold medal, but this is a team full of young guys who have a shot to add to their resumes for the first time.
Led by Olympic Gold medalists Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, the roster is loaded with a talented group of players.
Durant is the fourth player in Texas Basketball history to compete in the Olympics.
Barnes just finished his fourth season in the National Basketball Association and with the Warriors.
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Free agency talks can wait.
