With North America’s status as the mecca of basketball, Team USA’s men’s basketball team always draws a lot of attention. Even when they’re trotting out C-list stars, people come out to see them shine. This interest and prestige hasn’t been lost on anyone, from fans to players.
This year, with USA Basketball looking to re-assert its dominance, All-Stars displayed a renewed interest in the Olympics. It started with early commitments from players like Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Eventually, Team USA revealed a star-studded 12-man roster that looked formidable on paper.
At least one player had been left off though, with Philadelphia 76ers’ newcomer Paul George revealing that he was approached about joining the team.
Paul George Outs Himself As Team USA Snub
“Yeah, they came to me, right,” George tells 7PM In Brooklyn co-host Carmelo Anthony. “(Golden State Warriors and USA Basketball head coach) Steve Kerr, after we played the Warriors in L.A., came to me like, ‘You got any interest in being on Team USA?’
‘Yeah, I want to play.’ So, I’m thinking I’m in. I think I’m a part of that group.”
“I’m seeing it on (Instagram); they get the jersey, they get the jersey,” George laughs. “I’m like, ‘Where’s my post? When are they going to hit me?’”
“So I understood it. Obviously, I ain’t going to be sour about it… At the same time, it was like, d***, I was looking forward to representing the USA and being a part of that team.”
“It just so happened I ran into (USA Basketball director) Grant Hill, I think during the playoffs in Dallas,” the 14-year veteran continues, relaying that Hill told him “Yeah man, didn’t happen this year.”
Why Didn’t He Get Picked?
A nine-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive selection, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game last season. He also made 41.3 percent of his 3s. With his accolades, talent level, and positional versatility, he seems like exactly the type of player Team USA wanted from a skill standpoint. However, George may have also wanted a consistent or featured role.
Like Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, this could have been at the heart of Hill’s decision to turn him down.
To be frank though, when one watches rising star Anthony Edwards play hero ball with Team USA, it’s difficult to see how George (or Brown for that matter) weren’t picked. Edwards is incredibly popular on and off the court. Yet, he’s only 22 years old and hasn’t accomplished nearly as much. He’s also headstrong, a quality that can be endearing or frustrating depending on the situation.
Looking at the role Devin Booker is playing also brings Hill’s roster-building into question. Focusing on his on-ball defense and off-ball shooting, he’s actually playing more like George than himself.
Is Grant Hill Meeting Expectations?
With Team USA now 2-0 in the Paris Olympics, they’re on their way to the quarterfinals. That being said, it’s hard to complain too much about what Hill should or should not have done. Nonetheless, from their exhibitions in Las Vegas to the tournament in France, USA Basketball has looked anything but indomitable.
For a roster that was being compared to the 1992 Dream Team, that’s less than ideal.
Consequently, it’s fair to criticize and question the team that was assembled.
Should Edwards (or Derrick White) have been selected instead of Brown? Should Booker have gotten the nod instead of George? Even the question of whether Joel Embiid —who was set to play for France —should’ve been chased by Team USA rather than lithe American shot-blockers like Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets), Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), or Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) is worth asking. Holmgren, who can stretch the floor, would’ve been a particularly interesting addition.
