FIBA World Cup

[Parliament10]

As of July 28, Team USA has received the commitment of 17 players along with another 13 players committed to being a part of the Team USA Select team. The roster will eventually be trimmed down to 12 players by head coach Gregg Popovich and his staff. That roster will be announced on August 17.

Players Participating In U.S. Training Camp
Here are the 17 players that are confirmed to take part in the Team USA training camp:

Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics: Walker is coming off of his best season yet as the former Hornet was named to the All-NBA Third team while also being named to his third straight All-Star game. Walker also averaged career-high numbers this season in points per game and rebounds per game. Walker should not only be considered a lock for Team USA but he should also be viewed as a likely starter.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: Brown saw his numbers slightly dip this season as a result of his playtime going down. The 22-year-old continues to show promise and could see his role expand this season as Boston deals with the loss of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. Brown was a late add due to so many players declining their invitation.

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz: Mitchell has only been in the league for two seasons but he’s already made a big impact. He’s become the go-to-guy for the Utah Jazz and has led the team in scoring in both of his first two seasons. Mitchell improved his scoring, rebounding and assists numbers from his first season while maintaining or improving his shooting percentage from the previous season. Mitchell should be a Team USA roster lock.

Mason Plumlee, Denver Nuggets: Plumlee was a late addition to the training camp roster but he does have a significant advantage over other players due to the fact that he was a participant on the 2014 U.S. team that won gold. With so many names declining invites, his experience could be an important factor come roster decision time.

Julius Randle, New York Knicks: In his first and only season with the Pelicans, Randle averaged a career-high 21.4 points per game while shooting over 52 percent from the field. Randle was a late addition to the training camp roster.

Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics: Smart is another player who was a late addition to the Team USA roster but given that he is likely the best defender among the guards he should have a great chance at making the roster. Smart was named to the 2014 and 2016 U.S. Select teams.

Thaddeus Young, Chicago Bulls: Young is one of the more veteran players on the training camp roster and he was a late addition to the roster as well.

Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings: Barnes was named to the roster from day one and he does have experience playing for Team USA. Barnes played for the U.S. in the 2016 Olympics as well as being apart of the Select Team in 2014. Barnes will likely be on the team’s final roster.

Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons: Drummond, like Plumlee, was a member of the 2014 U.S. team that won gold at the FIBA World Cup. His experience is a plus and the coaching staff could value his rebounding.

Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers: Kuzma is coming off of his second season in the NBA after averaging 18.6 points per game this season. He doesn’t have any experience playing for Team USA but he was among the original invitees.

Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks: Lopez is one of the more interesting names as Team USA could certainly use a center who is coming off a season in which he shot over 36 percent from three.

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors: Lowry had surgery on his thumb recently but he should be ready to go for the U.S. training camp. He won an NBA championship this season and was a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. As long as he’s healthy he should be a lock for the final roster.

Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks: Middleton is arguably one of the best players on the team and he’s coming off of his first All-Star season. Middleton should be viewed as a lock.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: Tatum is one of four Boston Celtics on the Team USA training camp roster and he is also one of the youngest players on the team. Tatum is only 21-years-old and has played for the U.S. U17 and U19 teams, both times winning gold.

P.J. Tucker, Houston Rockets: Tucker might not be one of the biggest names on the roster but the U.S. could always value a player who shoots over 37 percent from three and is an outstanding defender.

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers: Turner is another intriguing name on the Team USA roster as the four-year veteran has already established himself as a great defender. This past season Turner shot almost 39 percent from three.

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat: Adebayo was the last player added to the roster but his athleticism and size could prove valuable in international competition. Even if he doesn’t make the final roster the experience alone should be huge for Adebayo.

Players on the Select Team

Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn Nets

Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings

Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns

Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks

John Collins, Atlanta Hawks

Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks

De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets

Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic

Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

Landry Shamet, Los Angeles Clippers

Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

The Select team has some talented, young players so don’t be surprised if one or two guys end up being named to the final roster.

The Select Team is not too shabby.

[ermocrate]

Yes, that’s my point, and they would play a like a real team. Almost every international team still has much less talent than that team 1-10 as well.

I was seeing a poster in the GB saying this roster would lose to Australia with Dellavedova as a starter and a bunch of other non NBA guys. I don’t get it, but when it comes to the world stage all concept of talent evaluation seems to go out the window, lol. We think that just because a team with AI and Duncan lost once upon a time, that we need to keep stacking talent to win. It’s like we haven’t learned our lesson yet still.

NBA doesn’t use Basketball rules and that’s one thing, so many players that are relevant in NBA would struggle immensely in real Bball. NBA ball departed from real BBall since the late 90s, that’s why you got forced to send your elite players to the FIBA competitions or you get beaten. When you play a totally different sport values are not the same.

Then why do international teams use nba players when available? Shouldn't they use "real" basketball players?

The U.S. doesn't take FIBA that seriously even when they send their best players. It's a marketing opportunity.

NBA players are not “fake” players, are hugely talented players who play the wrong way because when refs permit you to rape the rules you would have a disadvantage if you didn’t do it. International players in the NBA know how to play the game since they are born and raised with the true rules of Basketball.

US has always took FIBA and Olympics seriously, especially since college made teams got kicked in the ass multiple times, you decided to send professional because you cannot stand being humiliated at a game you started playing professional 50 years ahead of every other nation.

In 2004 a team made of Iverson-Wade-Anthony-Stoudemire-Duncan got heavily humiliated, outsmarted and outplayed from a team made of middle class born guys who trained 3hrs/day at best all their life.

You needed a slight change of rules and the addiction of an NBA ref to international competition to allow your teams to play, why you would have done that if you don’t care?

The talent of the players is not in discussion here, the discussion is about how the NBA decides to rape the rules of the game every single year just to favor show over sport and made the game more appealing to stupid dumbasses that only go to the games to get obese with hotdogs and large cokes and void celebrities who like to show themselves at the event for publicity. Only the talent of the players is saving the game right now, the only thing remaining is the beautifulness of a perfect shot, a block or a slam dunk or the smartness of a play run perfectly. That’s it.

[Higgs Boston]

kemba, fox or trae, smart or white
mitchell, brown
tatum, middleton
collins, kuzma, bagley or isaac
turner, allen

I would love something like this.

[Curmudgeon]

I really hope Tatum, Brown and Smart make the final roster, not only for rooting interest but because they could all use a heavy dose of Greg Popovich.

[sam_I_am]

NBA doesn’t use Basketball rules and that’s one thing, so many players that are relevant in NBA would struggle immensely in real Bball. NBA ball departed from real BBall since the late 90s, that’s why you got forced to send your elite players to the FIBA competitions or you get beaten. When you play a totally different sport values are not the same.

Then why do international teams use nba players when available? Shouldn't they use "real" basketball players?

The U.S. doesn't take FIBA that seriously even when they send their best players. It's a marketing opportunity.

NBA players are not “fake” players, are hugely talented players who play the wrong way because when refs permit you to rape the rules you would have a disadvantage if you didn’t do it. International players in the NBA know how to play the game since they are born and raised with the true rules of Basketball.

US has always took FIBA and Olympics seriously, especially since college made teams got kicked in the ass multiple times, you decided to send professional because you cannot stand being humiliated at a game you started playing professional 50 years ahead of every other nation.

In 2004 a team made of Iverson-Wade-Anthony-Stoudemire-Duncan got heavily humiliated, outsmarted and outplayed from a team made of middle class born guys who trained 3hrs/day at best all their life.

You needed a slight change of rules and the addiction of an NBA ref to international competition to allow your teams to play, why you would have done that if you don’t care?

The talent of the players is not in discussion here, the discussion is about how the NBA decides to rape the rules of the game every single year just to favor show over sport and made the game more appealing to stupid dumbasses that only go to the games to get obese with hotdogs and large cokes and void celebrities who like to show themselves at the event for publicity. Only the talent of the players is saving the game right now, the only thing remaining is the beautifulness of a perfect shot, a block or a slam dunk or the smartness of a play run perfectly. That’s it.

Fantastic!

[the sea duck]

NBA doesn’t use Basketball rules and that’s one thing, so many players that are relevant in NBA would struggle immensely in real Bball. NBA ball departed from real BBall since the late 90s, that’s why you got forced to send your elite players to the FIBA competitions or you get beaten. When you play a totally different sport values are not the same.

Then why do international teams use nba players when available? Shouldn't they use "real" basketball players?

The U.S. doesn't take FIBA that seriously even when they send their best players. It's a marketing opportunity.

NBA players are not “fake” players, are hugely talented players who play the wrong way because when refs permit you to rape the rules you would have a disadvantage if you didn’t do it. International players in the NBA know how to play the game since they are born and raised with the true rules of Basketball.

US has always took FIBA and Olympics seriously, especially since college made teams got kicked in the ass multiple times, you decided to send professional because you cannot stand being humiliated at a game you started playing professional 50 years ahead of every other nation.

In 2004 a team made of Iverson-Wade-Anthony-Stoudemire-Duncan got heavily humiliated, outsmarted and outplayed from a team made of middle class born guys who trained 3hrs/day at best all their life.

You needed a slight change of rules and the addiction of an NBA ref to international competition to allow your teams to play, why you would have done that if you don’t care?

The talent of the players is not in discussion here, the discussion is about how the NBA decides to rape the rules of the game every single year just to favor show over sport and made the game more appealing to stupid dumbasses that only go to the games to get obese with hotdogs and large cokes and void celebrities who like to show themselves at the event for publicity. Only the talent of the players is saving the game right now, the only thing remaining is the beautifulness of a perfect shot, a block or a slam dunk or the smartness of a play run perfectly. That’s it.

You are still conflating USA with NBA.

USA Basketball takes FIBA and Olympics seriously. But the USA does not. Maybe only the Redeem Team. That's about it.

Players don't grow up with NBA rules. So how does the NBA changing rules every year mean international players are born and raised right and American players are not? I think you have some valid points, but you are conflating too many factors and therefore do not have a solid conclusion.

Also note that part of the problem with the 2004 USA team was that their coach hated the team and wanted to force them to play the "right way" and they felt that was being done at the cost of just trying to win:

"[Richard] Jefferson: I think Larry Brown tried to use the USA team as a tool. It was when AND1 basketball was going on. He was trying to do something for the game of basketball and trying to put out a certain style of play and a certain style of message versus us just going out there and trying to win games and trying to accomplish things. I remember in the qualifier for the Olympics, he told Jason Kidd, “Hey Jason, I know you’re really good at the fast break, but I want you to stop at the free-throw line and throw a bounce pass to one of the wings.” And you’re sitting here talking to the second all-time leading assist guy and one of the most dominant point guards of all time. Truth be told, that’s probably why nine guys decided that they didn’t want to go do the Olympics."

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

At this point, humblebum will just show up in camp challenging for a spot on the team.

[Curmudgeon]

No Drummond? Meh. Turner is way better anyway. Who wants to watch Drummond brick free throws?

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

At this point, humblebum will just show up in camp challenging for a spot on the team.

This is so Ridiculous. Why even get on the team.
They're making it all about Money, and Fame.

Nothing about Pride? Country?
Sad.

[Curmudgeon]

But as an American, would you be proud having Andre Drummond represent you? I wouldn't.

I already stated my position in the thread on the General board. Why should professionals offer to play for free during their vacation time unless they are trying to build their brands? Maybe the spouses and families of the more established players take precedence over the FIBA World Cup, where there's no glory when the U.S. wins but intense criticism if it does not.

NBA players from other countries are also bailing out, e.g. Simmons (Australia), Wiggins and TT (Canada) and Adams (New Zealand).

[SmartWentCrazy]

Wow, theres a really solid chance all 4 of our guys make the squad. Im **** hyped right now.

Plumlee and Randle wont make it. Guessing no Bam either. If Lowry’s finger doesnt hold up, all 4 should make it. **** love to see it.

[BillTheGOAT]

But as an American, would you be proud having Andre Drummond represent you? I wouldn't.

I already stated my position in the thread on the General board. Why should professionals offer to play for free during their vacation time unless they are trying to build their brands? Maybe the spouses and families of the more established players take precedence over the FIBA World Cup, where there's no glory when the U.S. wins but intense criticism if it does not.

NBA players from other countries are also bailing out, e.g. Simmons (Australia), Wiggins and TT (Canada) and Adams (New Zealand).

team usa players get paid to play internationally by usa bball.

[Curmudgeon]

They don't get paid much. For the Olympics there's a per diem plus a small bonus for winning. For veteran NBA stars making $25M a year and up (and more millions for endorsements), it's chump change, particularly when you look at it after tax,

[SmartWentCrazy]

Randle dropped out due to a family issue— hope everything is okay.

Looking more and more likely that at least 3 of our guys make the roster. Would be **** awesome if all 4 did.

[sam_I_am]

Here is schedule of training events and games:

https://www.usab.com/mens/national-team/schedule.aspx

[Zaschrona]

I like our guys chances, it even makes sense to play them together as they will be all motivated to find some chemistry, they could likely create a core of the bench.

Lowry/Walker
Mitchell/Smart
Middleton/Brown/Young/Tucker
Barnes/Tatum/Kuzma
Turner/Lopez/Plumlee/Adebayo

15 guys, 3 won't go. Seems like players to be on the bubble are Adebayo, Tucker, plus one. Could be Young, could be Kuzma, maybe Pop takes just two big guys and tries to destroy everyone via small ball.

[SmartWentCrazy]

I like our guys chances, it even makes sense to play them together as they will be all motivated to find some chemistry, they could likely create a core of the bench.

Lowry/Walker
Mitchell/Smart
Middleton/Brown/Young/Tucker
Barnes/Tatum/Kuzma
Turner/Lopez/Plumlee/Adebayo

15 guys, 3 won't go. Seems like players to be on the bubble are Adebayo, Tucker, plus one. Could be Young, could be Kuzma, maybe Pop takes just two big guys and tries to destroy everyone via small ball.

Kemba will 100% start over Lowry. Im not even sure Lowry makes it given his recent surgery.

[jfs1000d]

But as an American, would you be proud having Andre Drummond represent you? I wouldn't.

I already stated my position in the thread on the General board. Why should professionals offer to play for free during their vacation time unless they are trying to build their brands? Maybe the spouses and families of the more established players take precedence over the FIBA World Cup, where there's no glory when the U.S. wins but intense criticism if it does not.

NBA players from other countries are also bailing out, e.g. Simmons (Australia), Wiggins and TT (Canada) and Adams (New Zealand).

The United States has so many players available, if you don't want to play, that is fine. They know who to pick and not pick.

[jfs1000d]

But as an American, would you be proud having Andre Drummond represent you? I wouldn't.

I already stated my position in the thread on the General board. Why should professionals offer to play for free during their vacation time unless they are trying to build their brands? Maybe the spouses and families of the more established players take precedence over the FIBA World Cup, where there's no glory when the U.S. wins but intense criticism if it does not.

NBA players from other countries are also bailing out, e.g. Simmons (Australia), Wiggins and TT (Canada) and Adams (New Zealand).

The issue is that the World Cup is secondary to the olympics. It is the B event.

That's why there is a big movement to make the Olympic basketball 23-under. That way, the FIBA world cup is the only way to see stars. Not a bad idea IMO.

Also, this has become work for the Americans. The days of the dream team are over.

[Curmudgeon]

America will always put together a decent team. They put together a decent team of no names (coached by JVG) to qualify.

If the U.S. loses the world cup, so what? If the games are well played and competitive, everyone wins.