Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA players Damian Lillard (22) and guard James Harden (32) look on as teammate Paul George is tended to after suffering a leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Tough Cut to Make
If the four players mentioned above were “surprise” additions, Colangelo also said that there was one tough cut to make.
"[via ESPN] “The other tough call, Colangelo said, was removing Portland’s Damian Lillard from the rosterOnce Rose made it clear in the Puerto Rico game that he’s healthy enough to stay with Team USA, there was no room for Lillard, who didn’t play a single second against Puerto Rico.”"
The pint sized Portland Trail Blazers’ guard had a breakout NBA season in 2014 and established himself as one of the league’s elite ball handlers. Damian Lillard wasn’t only a playmaker, he was a go-to-guy.
That being said, much of this Team USA was centered around the return of Derrick Rose after Kevin Durant left.