Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard have already committed to play for Team USA Basketball in the 2020 Summer Olympics
A 7th place finish in this year’s FIBA World Cup was predictably a difficult pill to swallow for USA Basketball’s managing director Jerry Colangelo. In fact, Colangelo would go on to say that he’ll remember who didn’t show up for Team USA when it came to the 2019 World Cup.
It’s tough to say that it’s a threat, but if it wasn’t it awfully sounded like one. Interestingly enough, two of the players that “didn’t show up for the USA this summer” have reportedly publically stated that they plan to play for the USA Basketball team come the 2020 Olympics.
Those two players are none other than Stephen Curry, one of the bigger faces of the NBA, and Damian Lillard. Which adds an interesting element to everything that has transpired over the last month surrounding Team USA Basketball.
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[via ESPN]
"Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is committed to playing for Team USA in next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo."
Lillard stated his desire to play in next year’s Olympics in an interview with James McKern. While these two players didn’t participate in the FIBA World Cup this past summer, you’d have to thin kthey’d be welcomed with open arms next summer.
However, after reading the recent news I cant think back to what Colangelo stated after an embarrassing 7th place finish. Was it really a threat? Would Colangelo block the potential of adding two players at the level of Curry and Lillard?
And you’d have to think that Curry and Lillard are just the first of many higher-tiered stars that will want to join Team USA next summer.
It’s one thing to play for FIBA, it’s much easier to get up for the Olympics. A lot can change between now and next summer, but overall this has to be considered good news. You know…as long as Colangelo will welcome the stars that “didn’t show up” for the FIBA World Cup Tournament this summer.
The demise of Team USA Basketball has been greatly exaggerated. And if you can’t take my word, just wait until next summer.