With the 12-man USA basketball squad already announced for the 2016 Rio Olympics, there has been talk about the star players of the NBA who are not going to make their way to Brazil. The USA team still comprises of some big names in Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving. But the team only has two gold medalists from the 2012 London Olympics’ basketball team in the form of Durant and Anthony.
In addition, there are five players who have won the gold medal with USA at the FIBA World Championship – DeMarcus Cousins (2014), DeMar DeRozan (2014), Kevin Durant (2010), Kyrie Irving (2014) and Klay Thompson (2014). 3-time Olympic medalist, Anthony, creates a record as he becomes the first United States male basketball player who has been selected to four Olympic teams.
The team has been selected by their head coach, Mike Krzyzewski, who is managing his last Olympics with the USA side. But there are several big-name faces that will be missing in Brazil and we take a look at them:
1) LeBron James
The NBA Finals MVP who helped the Cleveland Cavaliers in winning their first major trophy in 52 years has decided not to go to the Rio Olympics. He has cited resting his body as the reason for not going to the Olympics with the USA squad. The 4-time NBA MVP made the news public last month that he has decided that his body needs rest after a long season of basketball.
The Cavaliers’ player has been to three Olympics and has managed to win gold medals with the USA team in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. He won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics .
James played 76 times for the Cavs in the last season, and his average points per game was 25.3, which is a pretty good return given his age. The 31-year-old has been to three Olympics and his decision will be beneficial for the younger players who have not got a chance to represent their country at the Olympics.
2) Stephen Curry
The two-time NBA MVP had sidelined himself from the Olympic Games in Rio as early as the NBA Finals were still going on. The 2015 NBA Champion was struggling with knee and ankle problems, therefore he had given his confirmation that he will not be representing USA at the Games.
Curry has never represented the USA at the Olympic Games. His countrymen will have to wait four more years if he has any chance to win a gold medal for USA at the Games.
The 28-year-old has, however, represented USA and won two gold medals at the FIBA World Cup – 2010 in Turkey, 2014 in Spain. The Warriors’ player had missed 6 games in the postseason due to a knee injury. He had expressed his desire to be at the Olympics, but recurring injuries have meant that the expert 3-point shooter will have to rest and recover.
3) Russell Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunders’ star has decided to withdraw his name from the USA Olympics team. He had announced his decision in June when he had said, “After speaking with my family, I have decided to not participate in this year's Olympics.
“This was not an easy decision, as representing my country at the World Championships in 2010 and the Olympics in 2012 were career highlights for me. I look forward to future opportunities as a member of USA Basketball.” The decision indicates that the 27-year old has decided to skip the Games due to the fears of the Zika virus.
The decision came as a shock to many as the 27-year was expected to feature in the Olympics. He has previously won two gold medals with the US Basketball team, having won the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey and the 2012 London Olympics.
Westbrook has been a five-team NBA All-Star and has won the title of NBA All-Star game’s Most Valuable Player twice. Currently, he plays for the Oklahoma City team in the NBA and is known for his skills as a point guard. He was also picked for this year’s NBA All-Stars team, making it his second consecutive year.
Losing Westbrook just before the Olympics is a huge blow to the USA’s chances, but they still have enough firepower in their squad.
4) Dwyane Wade
The 34-year-old will not be going to the Rio Olympics. Age is definitely a factor as to why he did not even feature in the 30-man probable squad. Wade recently left the Miami Heat after a 13-year long association with the team. He did not feature in the 2012 London Olympics for USA but did play in the 2004 Athens and the 2008 Beijing Games. He won bronze in 2004 and then gold in China.
But the winner of 3 NBA Championships never had the intention of going to Rio, he clarified this on Twitter earlier in January when the probables were announced. The aging player is probably right in sitting out of the Games as he has missed a combined 61 regular-season games in the last three seasons for the Heat.
5) Chris Paul
The 31-year old point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers had withdrawn his name from the Rio Olympics citing his hand injury. He had broken his hand in the NBA Playoffs and will not be featuring for USA. He has previously represented his nation, winning gold medals at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. The Clippers man played 74 times for his side in the regular season, and a further 4 times in the Playoffs.
His contribution to the USA team has been immense in the past few years. But with injuries stopping him from participating, the 9-time NBA All Star member will not be able to win a hat-trick of Olympic gold medals.
