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Is the golden age of Team USA over? | NBA

For his last mission as boss of the American selection (he will then be replaced by Grant Hill), Jerry Colangelo has tried everything to end his term on a good note at the Tokyo Olympics.

Despite the presence of a strong selection, Team USA has already been jostled. In preparation first, against Nigeria then Australia, and in the first match of his Olympic campaign, losing to France. One more hammer blow when the Americans finished in seventh place in the last World Cup.

While all the members of the American federation set about recalling the evolution of the balance of power between the United States and the rest of the world, as well as the internationalization of basketball which has changed the situation, Jerry Colangelo highlighted the recurring difficulty for Team USA to bring in its very best players. The idea of ​​building a “Dream Team” as was the case in 1992, or a “Redeem Team” like 2008, is simply no longer possible today.

“I think we had a good time in terms of hiring top players who believed in everything we offered them at the time. But the reality is that we live in a different world from 15 or 16 years ago ”, did he declare. “Like it or not, for the players money, their careers and things like that are of the utmost importance, even more today than then.”

Injuries, end of contracts, career choices, reluctant franchises …

Between injuries and personal choices, the American training has indeed left some of its superstars on the floor, between Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving or James Harden. Other elements also come into play.

“There were a few players whose teams just didn’t want them to play. They were looking at it from their own point of view, that of their team, and I can understand that. So that eliminated some of those people. Contracts also played a role ”, he added, hastening to recall that Team USA was however fortunate to have an exceptional pool of very high level players.

As such, Jerry Colangelo was delighted to have seen Trae Young post bitter messages on his networks, even though he had not been selected in the selection process for the Tokyo Games.

“I’m happy he wants to play for Team USA. We had him in one of our camps, we know him well. He did very well in the NBA, but compared to our needs, he did not meet our expectations this time around. He’s a young player. He has a future with Team USA, but our staff felt that it was not the time ”.

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