It’s official: The Toronto Raptors’ All-Star backcourt will team up this summer for USA Basketball at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
It was reported over the weekend that Kyle Lowry had agreed to join despite not being a part of the program’s preliminary 30-man roster and having no senior men’s team experience, and later that best buddy DeMar DeRozan, who was a member of the gold-medal winning 2014 FIBA World Cup team, would join him. On Monday, USA Basketball released their full 12-man roster for the tournament, confirming the participation of the Raptors’ duo.
2014 World Cup gold medalist – USA #9 @DeMar_DeRozan #UNITE #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/Lix0mSzCRw
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) June 27, 2016
Olympics Summer '16.
Proud to be a member of the #USABMNT! @usabasketball #UNITE 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/5wFsY5q2SI
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) June 27, 2016
The full roster is as follows:
PG: Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry
Wings: Carmelo Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Klay Thompson
Bigs: DeMarcus Cousins, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan
It’s the first time in several tournaments that the U.S. has opted to go with just two natural point guards, likely eschewing dual-PG looks, but there’s a ton of ball-handling all over the floor here. Most of the wings listed could conceivably work as primary ball-handlers, and almost all of them could play the four in the international game. The roster very much has a position-less, ready-to-switch-everything feel to it, and the United States will of course be the favorite in the tournament.
“Looking at this team, our overall balance is what strikes me,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. “We have lightning-quick guards who can score as well as distribute the basketball. We have great shooters and explosive scorers, we’re big and athletic, and I think we’ll really be able to defend.”
Action tips off on Aug. 6 in Rio and extends to the gold medal game on Aug. 21. The U.S. will compete with Venezuela, China, Australia, and two teams still to be determined in their own group, while Luis Scola (Argentina) and Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania) will be playing in the opposite group with Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, and one team still to be determined.
Those final berths will be granted in early July, and Cory Joseph and the Canadians still have a chance, although it feels like a bit of a long-shot. Canada needs to win their Olympic Qualifying Tournament outright in Manila from July 5-10, knocking off Turkey, France, the host Philippines, New Zealand, and Senegal in the process. The Canadian squad is 3-1 in an exhibition tournament in Italy right now without Joseph, Joel Anthony, or Tristan Thompson, the last of who is yet to confirm his intention to play.
In any case, if Canada qualifies, we’ll have game-by-game coverage for you here. Otherwise, we’ll probably take a “notes and highlights” approach to the Olympic tournament for the other Raptors participating.
As a side-note, there’s been some concern expressed about the toll the tournament may take in place of rest, as Lowry and DeRozan ranked seventh and 12th in regular season minutes and sixth and seventh in postseason minutes. I understand that, but the opportunity to represent your country in the Olympics comes around so rarely, I’m of the mind you let your players play (and the FIBA agreement requires you do so unless there’s an injury concern). The tournament’s only two weeks long, no player on the team figures to average more than 30 minutes, and Lowry’s participation likely suggests his elbow is fine (and DeRozan doesn’t seem worried he’ll have any insurance issues with a new contract). Be happy for these guys. This opportunity is enormous and awesome.
Header image courtesy @Raptors.
