Olympics/NBA Related: What if US sends NBA Players to the 3x3 event?

[durden_tyler]

If aim is to “dominate” the sport, i have always wondered why the US just send actual NBA rotation players to the Olympics 3x3 event?

Of course, you’ll not be sending the A stars (not even the B stars) and you’ll need extra training since this basketball variant (LOL) has some major/minor differences with regular basketball.

That said, i believe it’s easy enough to get people wanting to join this since it’s still the Olympics, still gold medal possibility and well, because it’s the US so they should also try to win the medals here.

If say NBA gives the go signal, which class C stars or top role players would you tap? For development side, maybe do an Under 21-23 cap just to give these players extra development or experience at this level?

How would these NBA players fare at this level/event?

Edit; random non-superstars as an example to send to the 3x3 event:

Pritchard
Suggs
Kuzma
Claxton

(just as an example so a lot of other possibilities)

[lambchop]

Payton Pritchard looked pretty solid when he made 9 threes in a single game to 21.

Watch on YouTube

That said, they would have to choose the players wisely though. If they sent Brandon Ingram level inconsistent dudes that don't defend, they'd probably still lose. It has to be guys that are willing to defend, play as a team and can shoot or score inside. Something like Derrick White, Kevin Huerter, Lofton Jr., Keyonte George gets the job done very easily.

However, in terms of learning experience I don't see any value at all. The 3x3 guys are solid players, but no where near good enough to be 5x5 pros, with the exception of Jimmer of course. The other guys are basically 5x5 players that didn't pan out. It's at best a great conditioning drill and at worst a chance to get injured.

But, yea, it is a free medal for whatever country is willing to send bonafide pros to the event.

[Mirotic12]

Whenever I watched 3x3, which is just a few times, I hardly recognized the names of any of the European players. It seemed like it was mostly guys from national European second and third divisions.

[azcatz11]

My guess is they've already approached the 'C' and 'D' Tier NBA players about this and no one wanted to play.

If you are interested - Jimmer was on the Russillo podcast a month or so ago talking about the 3x3 & Olympics. Pretty interesting interview and Jimmer is a very interesting dude

[durden_tyler]

Oops wrong thread. Thanks for the info az will look for that interview

[CodeBreaker]

Dusan Bulut beats any NBA player in a 3x3

[Clav]

A lot of teams could be sent for USA... These would work, right ?

Fox
Jalen Williams
Draymond Green
bench: Holmgren

Lillard
Banchero
Aaron Gordon
bench: Reaves

Maxey
Keegan Murray
Mobley
bench: Derozan

Westbrook
Harden
Brook Lopez
bench: Myles Turner

Grizzlies edition:
Morant
Smart
JJJ
bench: Kennard

Trae Young
KCP
Randle
bench: Jabari Smith Jr

[andyhop]

Think the problem is it isn't looked upon as just another basketball event , it's looked at as somewhere you go if you can't cut it at basketball.

[durden_tyler]

Think the problem is it isn't looked upon as just another basketball event , it's looked at as somewhere you go if you can't cut it at basketball.

This is true. Just no prestige there at all. Even the major FIBA 3x3 events are largely ignored and seen as a gimmick. It does not help that no-name players dominate this variant, so fans just conclude it’s not really basketball. If players or ex-players from the major leagues (not just NBA) were there, i think it’ll help grow the event. But with no money to be made there, the pros can really just choose to ignore it.


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[UcanUwill]

Payton Pritchard looked pretty solid when he made 9 threes in a single game to 21.

Watch on YouTube

That said, they would have to choose the players wisely though. If they sent Brandon Ingram level inconsistent dudes that don't defend, they'd probably still lose. It has to be guys that are willing to defend, play as a team and can shoot or score inside. Something like Derrick White, Kevin Huerter, Lofton Jr., Keyonte George gets the job done very easily.

However, in terms of learning experience I don't see any value at all. The 3x3 guys are solid players, but no where near good enough to be 5x5 pros, with the exception of Jimmer of course. The other guys are basically 5x5 players that didn't pan out. It's at best a great conditioning drill and at worst a chance to get injured.

But, yea, it is a free medal for whatever country is willing to send bonafide pros to the event.

Brandon Ingrams wouldn't lose lol, all top 3x3 are made of local second division semi pro players. 3x3 has ton of switching, so basically you just need decent wings, thats why Fredette is not ideal 3x3 player, he is probably most skilled, but he gives two points in the paint almost every time. 3x3 guys are from 6'5 to 6'10 usually.

[UcanUwill]

Think the problem is it isn't looked upon as just another basketball event , it's looked at as somewhere you go if you can't cut it at basketball.

This is true. Just no prestige there at all. Even the major FIBA 3x3 events are largely ignored and seen as a gimmick. It does not help that no-name players dominate this variant, so fans just conclude it’s not really basketball. If players or ex-players from the major leagues (not just NBA) were there, i think it’ll help grow the event. But with no money to be made there, the pros can really just choose to ignore it.


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3x3 is very young, maybe in 20 years it will grow some prestige and notable players will want yo play there, but as of right now, its for semi pros.

[Ballerhogger]

Honestly 3x3 should be the all star game . A guard ,
C/PF. SF

[LakersLegacy]

Payton Pritchard looked pretty solid when he made 9 threes in a single game to 21.

Watch on YouTube

That said, they would have to choose the players wisely though. If they sent Brandon Ingram level inconsistent dudes that don't defend, they'd probably still lose. It has to be guys that are willing to defend, play as a team and can shoot or score inside. Something like Derrick White, Kevin Huerter, Lofton Jr., Keyonte George gets the job done very easily.

However, in terms of learning experience I don't see any value at all. The 3x3 guys are solid players, but no where near good enough to be 5x5 pros, with the exception of Jimmer of course. The other guys are basically 5x5 players that didn't pan out. It's at best a great conditioning drill and at worst a chance to get injured.

But, yea, it is a free medal for whatever country is willing to send bonafide pros to the event.

Brandon Ingrams wouldn't lose lol, all top 3x3 are made of local second division semi pro players. 3x3 has ton of switching, so basically you just need decent wings, thats why Fredette is not ideal 3x3 player, he is probably most skilled, but he gives two points in the paint almost every time. 3x3 guys are from 6'5 to 6'10 usually.

9*3 = 27 game to 21
7*3 = game over won

[durden_tyler]

Payton Pritchard looked pretty solid when he made 9 threes in a single game to 21.

Watch on YouTube

That said, they would have to choose the players wisely though. If they sent Brandon Ingram level inconsistent dudes that don't defend, they'd probably still lose. It has to be guys that are willing to defend, play as a team and can shoot or score inside. Something like Derrick White, Kevin Huerter, Lofton Jr., Keyonte George gets the job done very easily.

However, in terms of learning experience I don't see any value at all. The 3x3 guys are solid players, but no where near good enough to be 5x5 pros, with the exception of Jimmer of course. The other guys are basically 5x5 players that didn't pan out. It's at best a great conditioning drill and at worst a chance to get injured.

But, yea, it is a free medal for whatever country is willing to send bonafide pros to the event.

Brandon Ingrams wouldn't lose lol, all top 3x3 are made of local second division semi pro players. 3x3 has ton of switching, so basically you just need decent wings, thats why Fredette is not ideal 3x3 player, he is probably most skilled, but he gives two points in the paint almost every time. 3x3 guys are from 6'5 to 6'10 usually.

9*3 = 27 game to 21
7*3 = game over won

This is 3 v 3, the 3 pointer is worth 2 points.


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[Sofia]

FIBA 3x3 is very different and I’m guessing a lot of people haven’t seen it actually played.

There is constant motion and switching, there’s no standing and watching someone dribble the air out of the ball or making high post entries to back the defender down.

It takes a very different type of fitness, one that some of the names mentioned earlier in this thread would not be suitable for.

[durden_tyler]

FIBA 3x3 is very different and I’m guessing a lot of people haven’t seen it actually played.

There is constant motion and switching, there’s no standing and watching someone dribble the air out of the ball or making high post entries to back the defender down.

It takes a very different type of fitness, one that some of the names mentioned earlier in this thread would not be suitable for.

i did state that this variant is different and yes, different strategy and nuances to it. So the premise is always, if given time to train, how would the NBA players look like.


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[ORLMagicGirl15]

Think the problem is it isn't looked upon as just another basketball event , it's looked at as somewhere you go if you can't cut it at basketball.

It is a perfect opportunity for players to make it prestigious. They can be considered the best before it is dominated by other players. I don’t remember Olympic basketball being what it was until the dream team came along and totally revamp the image.

[makubesu]

Maybe 3x3 isn’t that popular, but these guys are athletes… surely a gold medal would be hugely coveted? The issue is probably getting teams to let their guys put those miles on, role players have little leverage.

[Wingy]

If aim is to “dominate” the sport, i have always wondered why the US just send actual NBA rotation players to the Olympics 3x3 event?

Can’t remember where I read, maybe a google search or Reddit thread, but I often wondered why the talent we send is so weak compared to our pool.

Someone out on the internet explained there’s a whole lot of required qualifying that conflicts with the NBA, and presumably most any actually competitive international league schedules.

So it’s just not gonna happen, and probably lower tier players by design.

[durden_tyler]

If aim is to “dominate” the sport, i have always wondered why the US just send actual NBA rotation players to the Olympics 3x3 event?

Can’t remember where I read, maybe a google search or Reddit thread, but I often wondered why the talent we send is so weak compared to our pool.

Someone out on the internet explained there’s a whole lot of required qualifying that conflicts with the NBA, and presumably most any actually competitive international league schedules.

So it’s just not gonna happen, and probably lower tier players by design.

Thanks for the info. Makes sense since all of these sports indeed have qualifiers throughout the year or leading up to the games.


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