Originally Posted by
JasonEvans
Not sure if it has been mentioned, but the US isn't the only international team that has been hit pretty hard by NBA talent not willing to play in the World Cup. Team Canada has seen Jamaal Murray, RJ Barrett, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, and Trey Lyles pull out. I suspect all of them would have been favorites to make the team. In fact, I feel like Murray, SGA, RJ, and Lyles would have been starters. It has been known for a while that the Aussies will not have Ben Simmons, which could have really boosted their chances.
-Jason "you can still get 20-1 on Greece to win it all... and I really wonder if any team in the tourney will be able to stop Giannis" Evans
Looks like no one cares about the FIBA World Cup. And I can't blame them; it likely won't get a lot of exposure (although it should, given how basketball is continue to expand globally and is one of the fastest growing established sports).
The Olympics are so much bigger than the World Cup. Pops will get an incredible team for that event.
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club