2016 Rio Olympics: Team USA hopeful about Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson
By Nick Ziegler
With the 2016 Rio Olympics right around the corner, Team USA is hopeful that two stars from the NBA Finals will commit.
It was a grueling seven-game series for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, but Team USA is hopeful that some players will have the energy for a run at Olympic gold. Both Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson were crucial to the success of their teams last season, and Team USA is hoping that the long NBA season and quick turn around to the Olympics won’t make them decline the invitation.
Team USA has begun to take shape with Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Paul George leading the way, but the team does look a little thin at guard right now. Kyle Lowry has accepted the invitation to play for Team USA in Rio, but Damian Lillard has declined due to plantar fasciitis.
Irving and Thompson would both bring the ability to stretch the floor for Team USA, which is important in the foreign style of basketball we will be seeing in Rio. Irving is coming off a spectacular Game 7 of the NBA Finals, as he was the hero of game with his step-back three-pointer over Stephen Curry.
Team USA, sources say, remains hopeful Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson will ultimately say YES on the Olympics after their long playoff runs
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
If Irving decides to join Team USA, it will be a reunion with his coach in college as Mike Krzyzewski will be coaching in his final Olympic Games. Team USA will be a big favorite as always in men’s basketball, but they can certainly use two of the best guards in the league to commit to the team.
Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are huge Coach K favorites and locks for Rio if available but both are still "deliberating" after The Finals
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
The final 12-man roster is expected to be announced sometime next week, and the team is hopeful that Irving and Thompson will be on it.
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