The roster for Team USA basketball for the Rio Olympics is starting to look real sketchy. Most of the biggest stars in the NBA have decided to pass on taking part in the games, leaving us with the best of the rest type of squad. In a bit of good news, DeMarcus Cousins was confirmed yesterday that he made the team and so far is the only player to officially be confirmed. Just yesterday, both Russell Westbrook and James Harden announced they would skip the games, joining Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge and others.
@IamJoeSports
Westbrook released a statement yesterday explaining his decision. “After speaking with my family, I have decided to not participate in this year’s Olympics,” Westbrook said in a statement Friday. “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.”
Not surprisingly, Harden followed that up with his own statement a short time later. “As a member of the 2012 London Olympic Gold Medal Team, and as Team Captain for the 2014 FIBA Gold Medal Team, it goes without saying that USA Basketball has provided me with some of the most meaningful personal and professional accomplishments of my life. I have been extremely blessed to wear the ‘red, white, and blue’ and to compete at the highest international level with the greatest players representing the greatest country in the world. I sincerely hope I’ll earn an opportunity to represent Team USA again in the future.”
Cousins was told yesterday that he made the roster of 12 players who will go to Rio and he reportedly couldn’t be happier. As of right now, Kevin Durant & Lebron James have not ruled themselves out but most people don’t expect them to go. Considering how many guys have dropped off, the team might really need both of those superstars if they want a guaranteed Gold medal. The rest of the world is not far behind us and without our top tier players, things might surely get interesting.
