This was expected. Kyrie Irving tore up the World Championships two years ago scoring 26 points in the gold medal game and being named tournament MVP. Also, the former Duke Blue Devil is one of coach Mike Krzyzewski’s favorites. USA Basketball wanted him in Rio. The question was, did he want to do it after a deep playoff run where he played his best in the Finals? There was an assumption he would, but so many players had bailed that the question was a legitimate one.
Yes, he’s in, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.
ESPN sources say Kyrie Irving has accepted an invitation from USA Basketball to play on this summer's Olympic team
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 25, 2016
While the announcement isn’t official until Monday, here is your USA Basketball team for Rio:
Kyrie Irving
Kyle Lowry
Jimmy Butler
Klay Thompson
DeMar DeRozan
Kevin Durant
Paul George
Draymond Green
Carmelo Anthony
Harrison Barnes
DeMarcus Cousins
DeAndre Jordan
You could form a better team with the guys out due to injury or understandably not wanting to deal with the Zika virus and other challenges in Brazil: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Kawhi Leonard, John Wall, Damian Lillard, Gordon Hayward, and Bradley Beal.
But that second team will keep Team USA’s 63-game international win streak intact and bring home the Gold again. No question.
