The USA Basketball Team is set to practice in Las Vegas next week in preparation for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. This camp, however, will be void of many household names. This is a positive for the Boston Celtics as they have four of the 16 players vying for 12 roster spots.
As someone who has never represented his country in sport or anything else other than wearing an American flag shirt on 4th of July, I see being invited to join Team USA as an honor. You’re being selected to join a team that represents the country you live in. You are being seen as the cream of the crop which, as a competitor, should be a real honor.
More than ever it seems, players are dropping out from the tournament for every excuse under the sun. I do believe some guys deserve a pass, like LeBron James and anyone on the Warriors, for they have all put a lot of miles on their knees over the last five seasons. I’ll even give Bradley Beal a pass seeing he led the league in minutes played and his knees seem like they may be made from papier-mâché.
I wrote a blog about team chemistry a few weeks ago with the Celtics sending two players to the USA camp, stating that this will only help build chemistry for the upcoming season. Since then, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown have been added to the team (along with Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum) which will only lead to better team chemistry (one would expect).
A lot of these players have been off since April and you’d think with training camps less than two months away, they would want the time to compete and work with the best of the best to prepare for the upcoming season. You know, a little competition to get you in shape as well.
I get it though, it’s your summer and some want to spend time with family and friends while working out on their own time. Some players just signed new contracts while others are coming up free agency and maybe don’t want to risk injury. It’s anyone’s right to be where they want and do what they want during their off time.
However, in my opinion, I feel players are much softer these days. I can’t imagine Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan turning down an invitation to practice and play against the best of the best. It almost seems like players today are afraid to get cut and have their egos hurt. They’d rather take shots in an empty gym than sweat it out with and against other NBA All-Stars. All these situations work in Boston’s favor.
Looking at the camp invites, it appears Kemba Walker and Kyle Lowry would be the leaders. This is a great opportunity for Walker to show off his leadership skills and see how he meshes with the other Celtics. It has come out recently that Jayson Tatum was a big reason for Walker coming to Boston. Add in Smart and Brown, and the Celtics could emerge as definitive leaders for this FIBA bound team.
Anytime the USA basketball team is assembled, I always get excited about it. I’ve been a big fan of any Team USA since the original Dream Team and always will be. I’m looking forward to this camp and watching these Celtics players develop together, and I think all four of Boston’s participants have as good as any to excel during the tournament. If I had to make a prediction, this is who I see making this team:
Guards – Kyle Lowry, Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart
Forwards – Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Harrison Barnes, Kyle Kuzma, PJ Tucker
Centers – Myles Turner, Brook Lopez
If all four make the team, look at them to bring their development and leadership to training camp in September. If they lead, I’m sure the younger players on the team will fall in line.
As a result of these players all making the final cut for Team USA, come training camp, the Celtics will be able to fast forward right past the “honeymoon” stage with Kemba and right into the next phase of team development.
With the Eastern Conference being wide open this season, this is definitely a step in the right direction.
I’m looking forward to a Gold Medal performance by the Boston Celtics…. erghhh…. Team USA!