TOKYO – Devin Booker, Khris middleton Y Jrue Holiday They arrived in Japan on a private jet just before 11 p.m. Saturday, less than 24 hours before the US team kicks off the Olympics against France.
It was a brutal day of travel after a grueling stretch of the playoffs, and the combination will test your physical and mental stamina. He also earned the respect of his teammates.
“I have a lot of respect for those guys not only for committing to do this, but for keeping their word,” said the forward. Draymond green. “You’re talking about three true professionals, three extremely competitive guys who wouldn’t be here if it didn’t mean something.”
When the American team got together to watch NBA Finals games during training camp in Las Vegas and after flying to Japan, they speculated that one or more of the three might give up Tokyo after a Tiring finish. But the three of them repeatedly kept their commitment. On Friday afternoon, Booker took a plane from Phoenix and Middleton and Holiday, less than a day after their championship parade, took one from Milwaukee.
They met at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, not like the competitors they had been during the previous two weeks, but as teammates. They boarded the long-range plane for a nine-hour trip across the Pacific overnight.
“We could have gotten to Game 7 very easily … and Devin Booker could have said something like, ‘Man, we lost, I’m pissed off, I’m out of Tokyo,’ or Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday saying, ‘We just won.’ Come on. to stay home with our families, ‘”Green continued. “It is in our hands to win the gold medal,” he added.
It’s unclear how much coach Gregg Popovich can trust all three to play, but he indicated his plan is to use them against the French, who are projected to be the toughest matchup the Americans will face in the first phase, where they will also face Iran. and the Czech Republic.
“Obviously we know they are fit. They are tired. They just went through a roller coaster of emotions,” said the team USA guard. Zach LaVine. “I think they will be ready to play, and we will see what happens. But as for the team, I think we have to be prepared for everything. If they are not prepared, then we have to go out and act,” he said.