41 NBA players will be competing for Team USA's 12 Olympic roster spots

[spursparker9]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...215731430.html

USA Basketball has extended invites to Harrison Barnes, Trey Burke, Jimmy Butler, Mike Conley, Draymond Green, Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo to join the team for next month's mini camp, per Stein.

That septet is expected in Las Vegas from Aug. 11-13 with existing Team USA members LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Bradley Beal, Tyson Chandler, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Rudy Gay, Paul George, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kyle Korver, David Lee, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Paul Millsap, Chandler Parsons, Chris Paul, Mason Plumlee, Derrick Rose, Klay Thompson, John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.





Not sure whether Kawhi or LMA will be down to the Final 12 spots ...

[spursparker9]

Right now I can see these 10 players as a lock.

Carmelo
Curry
Anthony Davis
Durant
Griffin

Harden
Lebron
Korver
CP3
Westbrook

[Fireball]

Aldridge should not participate, but I think Kawhi Leonard will greatly benefit from the experience playing on international level and together with other superstars of the NBA.

[tatteredprince]

Will the Spurs allow Kahwi??

[spursparker9]

Will the Spurs allow Kahwi??

Think they allow, but Kawhi dropped himself out last time because he wanted to rest up for the upcoming nba season.

[Chinook]

Don't see Melo or Korver as a lock, honestly. Also could see James and/or Paul bowing out. Kawhi and DMC seem like locks. Don't see LMA.

[BatManu20]

Aldridge shouldn't do it tbh. Let the young guns do their thing. It would probably be a great experience for Kawhi. I just don't like that he'll be wearing his body down in the summer.

[Spurtacular]

Paul George: Should be a cautionary tale for any young superstar looking to play in ultimately meaningless games relative to their NBA careers.

[Tuddy]

Rose D-Will DeRozan Faried & Lee would be my starting 5

[Richie]

If this is Timmys final season, I'd love to see him get a spot and end his basketball career with a Gold Medal

[FkLA]

If this is Timmys final season, I'd love to see him get a spot and end his basketball career with a Gold Medal

Bro he retired from international ball like 20 yrs ago tbh.

[Richie]

Bro he retired from international ball like 20 yrs ago tbh.

I know, but I'd like to see him unretire and get the only thing missing from his collection.

[spursparker9]

lol that 2004 team usa was

[exstatic]

If this is Timmys final season, I'd love to see him get a spot and end his basketball career with a Gold Medal

Two reasons that won't happen: Tim Duncan and Jerry Colangelo. Tim wouldn't want to. He was disgusted with FIBA ball in 2000 to the point where he was quoted as saying " FIBA". Jerry Colangelo hates Pop with a passion, and won't do any Spurs any favors.

[MaNu4Tres]

Two reasons that won't happen: Tim Duncan and Jerry Colangelo. Tim wouldn't want to. He was disgusted with FIBA ball in 2000 to the point where he was quoted as saying " FIBA". Jerry Colangelo hates Pop with a passion, and won't do any Spurs any favors.

2004*

In 2000, Timmy couldn't participate bc of the knee he injured vs Sacramento. He sat out the playoffs that year too.

[Uriel]

Initially, I was in favor of Kawhi participating in USA Basketball, but after tendinitis flared up in his knee, I think he should keep out of it. Better to rest his body during the summer and prepare for a grueling season. Ditto for Aldridge.

[100%duncan]

the olympics man. Whi wont learn , it's a competiion in basketball

[Ruler]

I want both Kawhi and LMA to sit back and rest this off season. We don't want either of them getting hurt (ala poor Paul ) and you want their bodies fresh for Timmy's last season next year. Makes me sad to write that...

[look_at_g_shred]

I see LMA doing the tryouts just to knock the summer rust off. I think he knows he probably won't make the team. Kawhi OTOH definitely can make it. Defense and boards are always a necessity.

[cd021]

I'd be in favor of Kawhi playing in the Olympics. Rising stars tend to get a big boost following their international run. It could be big for his progression.

That 2010 Worlds team had Love, Westbrook, Chandler and Rose. The following season (10-11) each were significantly better. Rose won the MVP that year, Chandler became the anchor of a championship team, Westbrook became Westbrook and Love emerged (He had the 30-30 game that season).

[thiste]

Kawhi is coach cocaine. I think team USA needs him more than he needs them.

[Dex]

Two reasons that won't happen: Tim Duncan and Jerry Colangelo. Tim wouldn't want to. He was disgusted with FIBA ball in 2000 to the point where he was quoted as saying " FIBA". Jerry Colangelo hates Pop with a passion, and won't do any Spurs any favors.

IIRC his quote was, "FIBA is re ed" Way to keep it P.C., Timmy.

But yeah, no way Tim plays for the Olympic team again...especially at the age of 40.

Edit: NVM....he said FIBA sucks.

He said the new dress code rules were re ed.

[loveforthegame]

I think it would be good for Leonard. He backed out once so I'd love to see him go for it now.

[dabom]

international team for Kawhi. Do you want him to injure himself during the playoffs? It's going to take its toll on him. International games are for players that don't get burn during the playoffs. Kawhi is not one of them.

[dabom]

Unless he is taking that "lebron juice from miami" i suggest he rest up when he can.