Grant Hill He knows first-hand how complicated it is to win an Olympic gold, and even more so by linking the endless NBA seasons with international commitments defending the colors of the United States at the highest level. “We always look for the gold medal, which In short, it is the standard to which we abide.”defends the current sports director of Team USA in conversation with a select group of international media, Mundo Deportivo the only one present from Spain.
In Atlanta 1996 bit the most precious metal with another dream team that took over from that iconic Dream Team from Barcelona 1992. Surrounded by guys like Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Hakeem Olajuwon y Shaquille O’Nealthe former player and head of the men’s team at USA Basketball has had a difficult job bringing together the new version of the Dream Team.
“We are excited to be able to count on this wonderful collection of players on this beautiful adventure,” he says. Up to 41 top-level players, most of them with a past or present in the All Star, informed him of their full willingness to play in Paris 2024 this summer. Only 12 have made the cut, but what a cut! LeBron James, Stephen Curry y Kevin Durant They lead the veteran group that will defend the honor of the Americans after their World Cup debacle in 2023.
The 12 of Grant Hill Toni Canyameras
“There have been very difficult decisions to make. There are players who are having unparalleled seasons who have not been able to be there, and we have had to put the pieces together very well,” says the 51-year-old former player. “This does not detract from those who are not there. It has been very hard having to say no to people I admire.“, he acknowledges during the relaxed conversation. His 12 chosen ones make him smile
The emphasis in this selection has been on having experience, proven leadership and, above all, greater defensive capacity. “We have especially focused on experience and the defensive aspect,” he says in relation to the lessons learned after his fourth place in the 2023 World Cup, a major failure for a program where, yes, only what is gold shines.
“The experience was very enriching, At least I learned a lot from witnessing and closely analyzing everything that happened in the World Cup. “A revealing experience”, Explain. “We were one of the best teams in recent decades on an offensive level, but on a defensive level we lacked something. We weren’t as physical as we could be, and that made us uncomfortable against certain opponents. For most of our players it was the first time playing on a FIBA stage,” Hill elaborates.
The recipe for these Olympic Games is very different: of the team that ran out of metal, only Tyrese Haliburton y Anthony Edwards. Notably, his captain and prodigy of the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson He has been one of those who has made the cut. “The idea with this squad is to have versatility, to be able to fight against any challenge that is presented to us, since there is a great diversity of styles among the rivals,” he reflects.
The importance of ‘stealing’ Joel Embiid
The latest NBA MVP and center of the Philadelphia 76ers He has been the most notable addition to the final Team USA group. Hill reiterated that it was one of the best birthday gifts he has ever received, and the Cameroonian made a commitment to his host country coinciding with his congratulatory cake. After evaluating Cameroon and France, Joel Embiid bought the vision of the sports director of the American national team.
“It has been a long time since we had a center with his characteristics in the group. Maybe the last time was when I played in ’96. There we had Hakeem, a Shaq y a David Robinson. Now we have Joel, a Bam y a AD, which gives us many options in the five. It’s something we needed, because we will encounter obstacles of all kinds along the way,” he analyzes.
Joel’s ‘Games’ Editorial
Until July 6, the new United States Dream Team will not be sitting around the same table. In Las Vegas the brief training camp will begin prior to the friendlies that will take them to London and Abu Dhabi before arriving in Paris. Meanwhile, players are already receiving the first emails with their homework. Among the folders and documentation, there are already details and exercises about FIBA basketballsince the failures of the past all shared the lack of study and necessary adaptation to the regulations, uses and tactical differences of the international arena, increasingly demanding as demonstrated by the current dominance of foreigners in the NBA.
Hill and his work group have made the effort to travel to each of the cities of his players in this final stretch of the campaign to give them, by surprise, the news of their final selection for the squad. The detail was liked, and the sports director was amazed by the illusion of guys who accumulate 14 rings, 19 gold medals and 84 participations in the All Star to name a few of the group’s impressive milestones.
“Steph was very excited, and seeing someone so consolidated with so much enthusiasm for the call was beautiful,” Hill celebrates. “We try to create a special moment for each of the selected ones, and we hope that that will also have a positive impact in what we are building.
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2024-04-18 15:47:33
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