View Full Version : Kyrie Irving to make a decision on Australia or US soon
Lebron23
03-01-2012, 11:25 PM
http://www.nbarooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/kyrie-irving-cavs.jpg
NEW YORK: Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving would make a decision shortly about whether he would opt to play for Australia at the London Olympics.
Irving, who was born in Australia while his father was playing in Melbourne and holds dual US and Australian citizenship, has justified his choice as number one overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft with a sparkling rookie season.
Australia selectors have made no secret of their interest in the 19-year-old, who is averaging 18.3 points and 5.1 assists per game after leaving Duke University for the NBA, and Irving has expressed interest in playing in the London Games.
"I'm not sure, it's still up in the air. I haven't made a decision yet," he told reporters before Cleveland's game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. "You'll probably hear about it in the next week or so what decision I make."
Irving would face a technical hurdle to joining the Australians since he represented the US at the under-18 level last year and would have to appeal to the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA) to switch his eligibility.
Coupled with that is the fact the US Olympic team head coach is Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski.
Irving said Krzyzewski has encouraged him to play for the US Select team, which serves as a feeder programme for the Olympic squad and could pave the way for him to make the US team for the 2016 Games in Rio.
"We've talked about it a little bit. We haven't gone into details," he said. "It's up to me."
Despite an abundance of point guards, including Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams, available for a US, Irving admitted that a future chance to play Olympic basketball for the country was a factor.
"Oh yeah, definitely. That weighs on it," he added. "(But) what's best for me and my family and my career, that's what it's about."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/london-olympics/Irving-to-make-a-decision-on-Australia-or-US-soon/articleshow/12093027.cms
Kevin_Gamble
03-01-2012, 11:26 PM
He should go with Australia. It's not like the U.S. needs him or anything.
outbreak
03-01-2012, 11:34 PM
Eh to me he isn't Australian, but for his situation it makes sense to come to Australia and increase his marketability here. All our stores only seem to have Bogut, lebron, kobe, rose, howard jerseys around here, i imagine if he cplays for the Aussies they'd have Irving ones soon. Also gives him a chance to show his game against the u.s.a team and do something unique if he can do well.
Personally though i'd rather he stayed with the u.s.a team to avoid our media all claiming how he's the next great Australian sportsman
G-train
03-01-2012, 11:37 PM
It would be smart for Krzyzewski to offer him a position right now, so that the future top 3 PG in NBA is available for USA for 2016 and 2020 and everything in between.
Derivative
03-01-2012, 11:37 PM
australia if he cares more about his own glory, usa if he cares more about winning
The_Yearning
03-01-2012, 11:40 PM
He won't make it on the US team idiots. He will play for AUS if he wants to be apart of the Olympics at all.
He won't make the London team, let's be real.
Rose, CP3, DWill, Westbrook.
outbreak
03-01-2012, 11:42 PM
Noone said he would make it for the u.s for london, they are telling him to play for the u.s olympic feeder team.
So he already played for the under 18 team, and would have to get FIBA to let him switch to play for Australia. No way he does that, he'll stay and wait his turn to hopefully be on the team the next go 'round.
Come on Kyrie, come play for Australia, you know you want to :banana:
Lebron23
03-01-2012, 11:48 PM
Irving needs to play for the Australian National Team. He might bang some hot Aussie chicks during the off season.
Fiasco
03-01-2012, 11:50 PM
Kyrie will try out for Team Australia, because he is not an idiot.
lilgodfather1
03-01-2012, 11:52 PM
I hope he goes USA. The learning potential that is available with team USA is far greater than with Australia. If he wants to win he will go USA, if he wants to play this year it is Australia.
Lebron23
03-01-2012, 11:54 PM
I hope he goes USA. The learning potential that is available with team USA is far greater than with Australia. If he wants to win he will go USA, if he wants to play this year it is Australia.
Team USA has a bunch of talented PG and Combo Guards.
lilgodfather1
03-01-2012, 11:57 PM
Team USA has a bunch of talented PG and Combo Guards.
True, but Paul/Williams/Rondo will all be at the tail of their primes in 2016, and will be able to pass along ther knowledge to Irving like Kidd did for Paul and Williams. Irving really at this point only has to beat out one of Westbrook or Rose to make the team, and considering Rose's constant injuries it could be Rose. Irving certainly is one of the best rookie PG's ever, no reason to believe he has reached his peak at 19.
Lebron23
03-01-2012, 11:59 PM
True, but Paul/Williams/Rondo will all be at the tail of their primes in 2016, and will be able to pass along ther knowledge to Irving like Kidd did for Paul and Williams. Irving really at this point only has to beat out one of Westbrook or Rose to make the team, and considering Rose's constant injuries it could be Rose. Irving certainly is one of the best rookie PG's ever, no reason to believe he has reached his peak at 19.
http://www.nba-draft.com/images/KendallMarshallUNC.jpg
lilgodfather1
03-02-2012, 12:00 AM
Lol that kid has Livingston written all over him imo.
G-train
03-02-2012, 12:57 AM
He won't make the London team, let's be real.
Rose, CP3, DWill, Westbrook.
Just take Irving instead of D-Will. No loss when its 4th string.
G-train
03-02-2012, 12:58 AM
Kyrie will try out for Team Australia, because he is not an idiot.
He wouldn't need to try out. We wouldnt care if he just rocked up at games.
coin24
03-02-2012, 01:01 AM
:facepalm The Australian team is so shit, hed be better off sticking with the US.. Hes not Australian anyway :confusedshrug:
outbreak
03-02-2012, 01:02 AM
He wouldn't need to try out. We wouldnt care if he just rocked up at games.
Patty Mills might :P
Speaking of Patty, how come he isn't playing NBA atm? I've seen him at some Portland games in the crowd surely he's better at signing then Larry Hughes and the other rubbish on the ends of benches?
zay_24
03-02-2012, 01:11 AM
Kyrie will try out for Team Australia, because he is not an idiot.
:rolleyes:
hawksdogsbraves
03-02-2012, 01:32 AM
True, but Paul/Williams/Rondo will all be at the tail of their primes in 2016, and will be able to pass along ther knowledge to Irving like Kidd did for Paul and Williams. Irving really at this point only has to beat out one of Westbrook or Rose to make the team, and considering Rose's constant injuries it could be Rose. Irving certainly is one of the best rookie PG's ever, no reason to believe he has reached his peak at 19.
Rondo couldn't even make a Team USA that didn't have CP3 or Deron Williams trying out. He'll never suit up for the national team again.
Because of his shitty attitude more than his play, but hey that's why the Celtics are desperately trying to move him as well.
poido123
03-02-2012, 01:47 AM
:facepalm The Australian team is so shit, hed be better off sticking with the US.. Hes not Australian anyway :confusedshrug:
:facepalm If your comparing them to the US, then yes. If we were able to pick talent without injury, we could have Patty Mills, Kyrie and Bogut. Those players are no slouches.
poido123
03-02-2012, 01:48 AM
Patty Mills might :P
Speaking of Patty, how come he isn't playing NBA atm? I've seen him at some Portland games in the crowd surely he's better at signing then Larry Hughes and the other rubbish on the ends of benches?
Think he is in china/overseas.
konex
03-02-2012, 02:04 AM
This is dumb. He will easily make the US team in 2016. Why give that up to get destroyed on the Australian team?
Meticode
03-02-2012, 02:08 AM
He won't make it on the US team idiots. He will play for AUS if he wants to be apart of the Olympics at all.
There is no need to be rude calling people idiots.
PyrrhusX
03-02-2012, 02:08 AM
Would be cool for our national team lololol.
But the fact stands, America have gold already. Teams will be playing for Silver and Bronze lol.
coin24
03-02-2012, 02:09 AM
:facepalm If your comparing them to the US, then yes. If we were able to pick talent without injury, we could have Patty Mills, Kyrie and Bogut. Those players are no slouches.
Awesome big 3:oldlol:
Too bad Bogut is always injured, and in reality the rest of the Aussie team is rubbish.... compared to most other teams..
SourPatchKids
03-02-2012, 02:25 AM
Madagascar
B-Easy8
03-02-2012, 05:03 AM
Australia is a top 10 team in the world, obviously there not as good as team USA but they are pretty good. Kyrie won't make the US team but if he joined Australia he would most likely still make the quarter finals.
Mills, Irving, Newley, Maric and Bogut is a pretty good 5.
Fiasco
03-02-2012, 06:41 AM
bogut-irving pnr = sex
Tmuston Beltics
03-02-2012, 07:17 AM
Irving needs to play for the Australian National Team. He might bang some hot Aussie chicks during the off season.
:facepalm
All Net
03-02-2012, 07:19 AM
So he already played for the under 18 team, and would have to get FIBA to let him switch to play for Australia. No way he does that, he'll stay and wait his turn to hopefully be on the team the next go 'round.
Didn't think he could switch now...
miller-time
03-02-2012, 08:03 AM
where is patty mills right now? is he still in china or is he coming back to the nba?
Bucket_Nakedz
03-02-2012, 08:07 AM
im sure dude could pass for an aborigines. id say he should go. all them hot white aussie womenz... id toss my dick like a boomerang
Yanch856
03-02-2012, 08:18 AM
Wow if Irving can't make the US team I doubt Lin would make the US team.
The guard position is stacked for the US. Rose, Westbrook, Rondo - shiz even Rondo can't make the US Team. Nuff said.
Yanch856
03-02-2012, 08:24 AM
im sure dude could pass for an aborigines. id say he should go. all them hot white aussie womenz... id toss my dick like a boomerang
:oldlol: You talking out of your s$$ mate. Australian racism towards Aborigines is atrocious. :oldlol:
Soulful
03-02-2012, 08:25 AM
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!
can't belive no one said this yet....
Qwertyazerty
03-02-2012, 08:49 AM
Not being from US or Australia I have no specific interest in him going anywhere a part from spreading talent in diferent teams. It would be great for international tournaments if he finishes in Australian national team.
ClutchBucketz
03-02-2012, 08:54 AM
Thought he had already decided to go with the US.. oh well would be nice to have some more nba caliber talent on the national squad.:cheers:
Walker
03-02-2012, 11:39 AM
:oldlol: You talking out of your s$$ mate. Australian racism towards Aborigines is atrocious. :oldlol:
You're a moron. Try learning about issues before commenting and looking like a tool.
Dengness9
03-02-2012, 04:31 PM
It would be smart for Krzyzewski to offer him a position right now, so that the future top 3 PG in NBA is available for USA for 2016 and 2020 and everything in between.
WELL SAID
Euroleague
03-02-2012, 05:46 PM
US SELECT team or Australian OLYMPIC team.....hmm tough choice.............
:rolleyes:
Euroleague
03-02-2012, 05:48 PM
Australia is a top 10 team in the world, obviously there not as good as team USA but they are pretty good. Kyrie won't make the US team but if he joined Australia he would most likely still make the quarter finals.
Mills, Irving, Newley, Maric and Bogut is a pretty good 5.
No they are not. Not even with Irving. No way in hell.
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 05:54 PM
Hopefully, he will take the summer off and work on his game. As NBA-ready as he is this year, there are still areas that need a lot of work... Specifically his defense.
After this crazy condensed season, I would feel much more comfortable with him staying home and refining his skills. Playing in the Olympics is going to do nothing for him in the long run.
sick_brah07
03-02-2012, 06:54 PM
Irving needs to play for the Australian National Team. He might bang some hot Aussie chicks during the off season.
lol if your serious
also.... australian basketball is one of the worst brands of basketball in the world, if not THE worst
SwooshReturns
03-02-2012, 06:59 PM
Making a decision? You were an American born in Australia.
Keep your ass there then Kyrie, will enjoy seeing D. Rose / CP3 / Westbrook / Deron Williams eat you alive in the Olympics.
:pimp:
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 07:04 PM
Making a decision? You were an American born in Australia.
Keep your ass there then Kyrie, will enjoy seeing D. Rose / CP3 / Westbrook / Deron Williams eat you alive in the Olympics.
:pimp:
^^^Feeling all patriotic and sh!t.
I'm proud to be an American, 'cause at least I know I'm free...
nerds
03-02-2012, 07:04 PM
Australia is a top 10 team in the world, obviously there not as good as team USA but they are pretty good. Kyrie won't make the US team but if he joined Australia he would most likely still make the quarter finals.
Mills, Irving, Newley, Maric and Bogut is a pretty good 5.
Regarding the Aussie team, actually NBL in general, the standard of play in comparison to the 1990's has dropped off big time. Too much emphasis in the NBL these days on tweener forwards shooting 3's and 18+ footers. No inside game. Nuggetty point guards with actual no point guard skills, trying to be shooting guards without the skills to land the shot!
LBJMVP
03-02-2012, 07:06 PM
what the deal with picking a countries olympic team?
if he chooses to go to australia for this year's olympic team,
and then ends up being the best point guard in the NBA he
can't just hop back on to the U.S. team can he?
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 07:07 PM
what the deal with picking a countries olympic team?
if he chooses to go to australia for this year's olympic team,
and then ends up being the best point guard in the NBA he
can't just hop back on to the U.S. team can he?
Yes. He has dual citizenship.
Yes. He has dual citizenship.
No. He has dual citizenship, but he can't play for both national teams.
sick_brah07
03-02-2012, 07:09 PM
Regarding the Aussie team, actually NBL in general, the standard of play in comparison to the 1990's has dropped off big time. Too much emphasis in the NBL these days on tweener forwards shooting 3's and 18+ footers. No inside game. Nuggetty point guards with actual no point guard skills, trying to be shooting guards without the skills to land the shot!
when you explain it like this it actually doesnt sound THAT bad, but in reality its even worse
BG32-KD35
03-02-2012, 07:12 PM
No they are not. Not even with Irving. No way in hell.
Australia is ranked 9 on FIBA...
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 07:14 PM
No. He has dual citizenship, but he can't play for both national teams.
Obviously not at the same time. I believe the question was could he jump from one to the other every four years... And the answer is yes.
SwooshReturns
03-02-2012, 07:20 PM
^^^Feeling all patriotic and sh!t.
I'm proud to be an American, 'cause at least I know I'm free...
For sure. That's what the Olympics is about, if you didn't know ...
Bigger question is why you're not?
Or are you such a loyal Cav fan and all that supid crap that you would root for Kyrie over your own country's squad?
:oldlol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbZTmcIfdBQ
So sue me that this gives me goosebumps, being a proud American.
Obviously not at the same time. I believe the question was could he jump from one to the other every four years... And the answer is yes.
Completely and utterly false.
http://www.fiba.com/downloads/v3_expe/agen/docs/3-ELIGIBILITY-NATIONAL-STATUS-of-%20PLAYERS.pdf
nerds
03-02-2012, 07:33 PM
when you explain it like this it actually doesnt sound THAT bad, but in reality its even worse
Out of all the NBL players one of the only players that impresses me is that big centre from Kings (Khazoui). At least he shows some heart and plays inside, and demands the ball inside.
Even the standard of imports has dropped off aswell
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 07:35 PM
Completely and utterly false.
http://www.fiba.com/downloads/v3_expe/agen/docs/3-ELIGIBILITY-NATIONAL-STATUS-of-%20PLAYERS.pdf
Hmmm. Very interesting. I thought it was an Olympic standard, not a FIBA standard.
I believe there have been instances where athletes in other sports have competed in the Olympics (or attempted to) for more than one country.
http://trueslant.com/jenniferkirk/2009/08/20/olympic-country-hopping/
Does this just apply to the basketball portion?
SwooshReturns
03-02-2012, 07:37 PM
For sure. That's what the Olympics is about, if you didn't know ...
Bigger question is why you're not?
Or are you such a loyal Cav fan and all that supid crap that you would root for Kyrie over your own country's squad?
:oldlol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbZTmcIfdBQ
So sue me that this gives me goosebumps, being a proud American.
Since you refuse to answer ... re-post.
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 07:39 PM
For sure. That's what the Olympics is about, if you didn't know ...
Bigger question is why you're not?
Or are you such a loyal Cav fan and all that supid crap that you would root for Kyrie over your own country's squad?
:oldlol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbZTmcIfdBQ
So sue me that this gives me goosebumps, being a proud American.
I do get patriotic at times.
Your post just reminded me a little of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et0Bssnm1mw), not so much Marvin Gaye.
And, f#ck no I'm not going to root for Australia. :oldlol:
RedBlackAttack
03-02-2012, 07:40 PM
Since you refuse to answer ... re-post.
It's not that serious. Relax.
SwooshReturns
03-02-2012, 07:40 PM
And, f#ck no I'm not going to root for Australia. :oldlol:
That's all I was getting at ...
**** Kyrie Irving.
He can spend his summer web caming dick pics to hoes, like he always does.
:oldlol:
Euroleague
03-02-2012, 07:42 PM
Australia is ranked 9 on FIBA...
That's not what he said. He didn't say they are one of the top 10 ranked teams in the world. He said they are one of the top 10 teams in the world.
HUGE difference.
Euroleague
03-02-2012, 07:45 PM
Hmmm. Very interesting. I thought it was an Olympic standard, not a FIBA standard.
I believe there have been instances where athletes in other sports have competed in the Olympics (or attempted to) for more than one country.
http://trueslant.com/jenniferkirk/2009/08/20/olympic-country-hopping/
Does this just apply to the basketball portion?
The Olympic basketball competition for men isn't controlled by the Olympics. It is controlled by FIBA.
Walker
03-03-2012, 02:24 AM
Out of all the NBL players one of the only players that impresses me is that big centre from Kings (Khazoui). At least he shows some heart and plays inside, and demands the ball inside.
Even the standard of imports has dropped off aswell
The best Aussies don't play in the NBL anymore. Back in the 90's for an Aussie Basketballer it used to NBA or NBL, nothing inbetween.
That changed with the Euroleague improving its standards. Guys like Drmic, Neilson and Dave Anderson started heading over there and the NBL exodus began.
Now days the best players head to the AIS(Australian Institute of Sports) at 14-15 years old stay there till they can head over to the states for college and either make the NBA or head over to Europe, the NBL doesn't even factor in anymore.
BurningHammer
03-03-2012, 02:28 AM
Be the man for Aussie or be at the bench for USA. What a difficult decision to make......
RedBlackAttack
03-03-2012, 02:30 AM
Be the man for Aussie or be at the bench for USA. What a difficult decision to make......
Actually, in light of the fact that once you declare your allegiance to a national team, you can't switch, it is a pretty easy decision... not to do it.
What happens if eight years from now, Kyrie is the best point guard in the league and it comes time for the 2020 Olympics? Back to Team Aussie, I guess. :(
BurningHammer
03-03-2012, 02:35 AM
Actually, in light of the fact that once you declare your allegiance to a national team, you can't switch, it is a pretty easy decision... not to do it.
What happens if eight years from now, Kyrie is the best point guard in the league and it comes time for the 2020 Olympics? Back to Team Aussie, I guess. :(
If he is with the Aussie and wins the silver in 2020 Olympics, that will be the greatest achievement of his basketball career and Australia basketball ever, even greater than winning the invincible USA every 4 years doing next to nothing.
hawksdogsbraves
03-03-2012, 02:57 AM
I think the only thing keeping him from doing it is that Coach K, his coach, is the head coach of Team USA. Of course, Coach K won't be coaching the team in 2016 when Irving actually gets to play, so I think he'll go to Australia and be the man. We have a glut of PG's anyway, not a lot of room for Irving.
RedBlackAttack
03-03-2012, 02:58 AM
If he is with the Aussie and wins the silver in 2020 Olympics, that will be the greatest achievement of his basketball career and Australia basketball ever, even greater than winning the invincible USA every 4 years doing next to nothing.
The honor is being chosen to play on Team USA, not necessarily beating up on the other nations. Trust me, that means a lot to these guys.
Also, it occurs to me that he really isn't Australian. The guy is about as American as apple pie. His dad just happened to be playing basketball in that country during his birth.
Finally, I hope to God when Kyrie Irving looks back upon his career, leading Team Australia to a Silver Medal is not his greatest achievement. That would be a massive letdown to his current fans. :oldlol:
B-Easy8
03-03-2012, 04:06 AM
Out of all the NBL players one of the only players that impresses me is that big centre from Kings (Khazoui). At least he shows some heart and plays inside, and demands the ball inside.
Even the standard of imports has dropped off aswell
Yes the standard of imports has dropped off but some of the Australian players are very impressive. Watch a Wildcats game before you judge the NBL, they run a full court press almost to perfection for the whole game and Martin and Lisch are both stars. Martin is Australia's best defensive player and yes im including Bogut when I say that.
The NBL clearly isn't as good of a league as the NBA or Euroleague but it has close to no stops unlike the NBA where there is a timeout every 5 minutes, the game is way more physical and there are no superstar calls, no one ever gets more than 6-8 Ft's a game.
RedBlackAttack
03-06-2012, 04:39 AM
The final decision has been made. No Kyrie for Team Australia. Thank God.
NBA rookie Kyrie Irving rejects Boomers' overtures
NBA rookie-of-the-year candidate Kyrie Irving says t he will not represent Australia at this year's London Olympics.
The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard was born in Melbourne in 1992 while his father, Drederick Irving, was playing professionally in the country with the Bulleen Boomers.
Irving, 19, moved to New York at the age of two and holds dual nationality, which enabled him to play for the United States at junior level.
He had been mulling the chance to represent Australia at the Games, but said he would now focus on making the 2016 US Olympic team after apparently learning Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski - who he played under last season - would return to coach the Americans in four years, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
"It was the right decision," Irving said following the Cavs' 109-100 loss to the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena."I found out 'Coach K' would be coaching in 2016. It made my decision so much easier to play for my coach again. That was the deciding factor."
Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo, however, told ESPN that it was yet to be decided who would be coach in 2016.
Irving's involvement with the American under-18s would have required the International Basketball Federation to alter his eligibility if he had decided to side with Australia, so it was never a definite that he would have been able to represent his country of birth.
Irving, who was taken by the Cavs with the No1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, is averaging 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game in his first pro season since leaving Duke.
Link (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nba-rookie-rejects-boomers-overtures/story-e6frg7mf-1226290980383)
El Kabong
03-06-2012, 05:47 PM
Irving VS Patty Mills at the next Olympics. Book it!
I wouldn't have expected him to join Australia unless he completely sucked and had no chance of making a future US team. And since he's quite good i'd say he'd be in with a legit chance to make the 2016 squad. No need to do a Kaman with him joining the German team.
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