Kyrie Irving almost played for Australia

[Ca$H]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/how-close-australia-really-got-to-luring-nba-superstar-kyrie-irving-as-boomers-prepare-for-team-usa/news-story/623605d6ed01097a5c886be0919d7dfb

Damn. Simmons should be playing too.

Irving
Mills
Simmons
Baynes
Bogut

[atljonesbro]

25 win team in the NBA

[Clifton]

With Simmons in 4 years, Australia will be a threat to win gold.

I guess they're in the top tier of non-USA teams now? I don't follow very closely. Apparently Spain isn't good any more, and if Spain isn't good, I really know nothing about international ball...

But a team with 5-ish NBA players and Ben Simmons in 4 years will be a threat.

[Ca$H]

25 win team in the NBA

If Kyrie played for Australia today USA might have lost.

[aj1987]

With Simmons in 4 years, Australia will be a threat to win gold.

I guess they're in the top tier of non-USA teams now? I don't follow very closely. Apparently Spain isn't good any more, and if Spain isn't good, I really know nothing about international ball...

But a team with 5-ish NBA players and Ben Simmons in 4 years will be a threat.
Not if the US sends a legit roster. KD, Kawhi, AD, KAT, WB, Irving, Klay, BG, Harden, Lillard, PG, DMC, Buckets, Wall, Green, etc..

[r0drig0lac]

next aussies squad

Mills/Delly
Exum/
Simmons/Ingles
Maker/Andersen
Bogut/Baynes

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

They matchup pretty well versus USA if Kyrie did play for them.

You Aussies were taken for granted and the result was a close ass game. Bogut is a key factor in how they perform, and if his knee isn't giving him trouble, they'll be a tough out for everyone else. Still, I expect Team USA to run a train on them if they do happen to meet again...figuratively speaking of course. :lol

[SamuraiSWISH]

If Rio didn't have poop water and zika virus

PG: CP3 - Westbrook
SG: Curry - Harden - Klay
SF: Leonard - KD - PG
PF: LeBron - Green
C : AD - Boogie

This discussion wouldn't even matter. That's more experience, more bball IQ, more versatility, more athleticism, more defense, more scoring and better shooting.

Even when Australia gets Simmons, we'll still have the more stacked roster. They're going to be the biggest competitors to us along with Canada in the foreseeable future.

[RedBlackAttack]

If Rio didn't have poop water and zika virus

PG: CP3 - Westbrook
SG: Curry - Harden - Klay
SF: Leonard - KD - PG
PF: LeBron - Green
C : AD - Boogie

This discussion wouldn't even matter. That's more experience, more bball IQ, more versatility, more athleticism, more defense, more scoring and better shooting.

Even when Australia gets Simmons, we'll still have the more stacked roster. They're going to be the biggest competitors to us along with Canada in the foreseeable future.
I don't see Westbrook's game translating all that well in an international setting and especially not on a team that already has CP3 and LeBron. Kyrie was always going to be on this team with it being Coach K's last go-round. And, the fact that he was tournament MVP in the 2014 World Cup? It was a done deal.

The 2014 World Cup team was actually the most dominating US team in recent years. They started Irving, Curry and Harden together and had AD and Faried up-front. It was a great combination of shooting, multiple primary and secondary playmakers, and two guys who complimented each other extremely well inside.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Westbrook wasn't bad in 2010 and 2012. LeBron and CP3 have functioned at a high level together multiple times on the way to winning gold.



The 2014 World Cup team was actually the most dominating US team in recent years.
The 2014 team also faced by far the worst competition of any the ones they're being compared with.

Redeem Team was as dominant but most certainly greater. And faced the best possible versions of the competition. Slightly lesser extent 2012 as well.

Disappointing and odd Kyrie considers himself Australian at heart. Yet was born to two American parents, moved back to the states at 2, and spent all his formidable years growing up as well as learning his craft in America. So why is he playing for Team USA?

:wtf:

[KirbyPls]

Westbrook wasn't bad in 2010 and 2012. LeBron and CP3 have functioned at a high level together multiple times on the way to winning gold.


The 2014 team also faced by far the worst competition of any the ones they're being compared with.

Redeem Team was as dominant but most certainly greater. And faced the best possible versions of the competition. Slightly lesser extent 2012 as well.

Disappointing and odd Kyrie considers himself Australian at heart. Yet was born to two American parents, moved back to the states at 2, and spent all his formidable years growing up as well as learning his craft in America. So why is he playing for Team USA?

:wtf:

Cultural Marxism got to him in college inevitably, and he hates America. :facepalm

But he's awesome, and I love him!