Since Barcelona 1992, the United States basketball team has been a world apart within the Olympic Games. It generates separate coverage, separate security measures and a different expectation within the fans. They are the focus of total attention. And although the most purists assure that the only Dream Team is the one that played in Spain, the first, with Jordan, Pippen, Magic and Larry Bird, the truth is that Team USA has already delivered the list of NBA stars that will play this the date of the rings in Tokyo.
By names, crazy. Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Zach LaVine, Kevin Love, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Jerami Grant. The second (Beal), the third (Lillard), the seventh (LaVine) and the tenth (Tatum), among the top scorers of the current regular season. There are also three players currently playing in the conference finals, including Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton (both from the Milwaukee Bucks) and guard Devin Booker (Suns).
And the list of 12 could be more striking, but At the last minute, all-star James Harden resigned the possibility due to physical problems, which ended with the nomination of power forward Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons). “I am happy for the selected group and for having the opportunity to work with this wonderful group. It is an honor to represent our country and try to win the Olympic gold in Tokyo “, valued the coach Gregg popovich, who has already led the team in China and whose main assistant is Steve Kerr, another of the luxuries that the Dream Team can give.
Of the list, Durant, Green and Love they already won gold at the Games. The Nets and the Warriors in 2016 and the Cavs in 2012. Durant and Love also won gold at the 2010 World Cup, in which they finished with a 9-0 balance.
KD thus becomes the fourth American player to participate in three or more Games. The other three on this list are Carmelo anthony (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), Lebron James (2004, 2008, 2012) and David robinson (1988, 1992, 1996). The United States has won gold in the last three Olympic tournaments and six of the last seven. The exception was Athens 2004, where the champion was Argentina.