First modification: 11/03/2021 – 19:26Last modification: 11/03/2021 – 19:24
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Los Angeles (AFP)
Two-time Olympic champions LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul are among the 57 NBA figures making up the US men’s basketball team’s shortlist for the Tokyo Games.
The list, announced Thursday by the American federation (USA Basketball), adds 15 players to a group of 42 already announced who have confirmed their interest in competing in Tokyo for a fourth consecutive gold medal for the United States.
The final choice of the 12 players who will make up the team will be announced later.
LeBron James, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to the ring last season, and Chris Paul, a veteran point guard for the Phoenix Suns, agreed on the US team that won gold in Beijing-2008 and London-2012.
King James, who was also part of the team that won the bronze medal in Athens-2004, could match Carmelo Anthony as the only American basketball player to have been a four-time Olympian.
Kevin Durant, meanwhile, was part of the champion teams in London-2012 and Rio de Janeiro-2016 and is one of the six Brooklyn Nets players who appear in the preselection, along with James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin, Joe Harris and DeAndre Jordan.
Other shortlisted big stars are Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Lakers) and Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), while the most prominent youngsters include Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans), Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
“With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics from 2020 to 2021, it is important that we remain flexible and consider all players who can contribute to our efforts to present the best possible US team,” said the CEO. of the national team, Jerry Colangelo.
Due to the tight schedule of this NBA season, many stars would practically chain their participation in the playoffs with their presence in the Games.
The dates are still tighter for the teams that reach the Finals, which, should the series reach seven games, will end on the eve of the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.
“Having a larger pool of players than we normally have is critical given all the uncertainties we face about availability,” Colangelo acknowledged.
San Antonio Spurs coach, veteran Gregg Popovich, will be responsible for directing the Olympic team with the support of Steve Kerr, Warriors coach, and Lloyd Pierce, former Hawks coach, among other assistants.
© 2021 AFP
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