Steph Curry recently pulled out of Team USA consideration at the Rio Olympics, and it looks like he won’t be alone. San Antonio Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge, nursing a nagging finger injury, is joining the growing list of superstars to forego a run at the gold in the name of long-term health.
Health has erased 6 of 31 names from Team USA's roster: Steph Curry; LaMarcus Aldridge; Chris Paul; Blake Griffin; Anthony Davis; John Wall
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 6, 2016
With all the big names fading from international play, stars on the edge of the elite will surely have opportunities to jump onto the squad to fight for a medal. Damian Lillard, to name one, is a point guard who may finally see the bottleneck of all-time talent loosen up a little to make way for him. Draymond Green has already reportedly expressed an interest in making the trip and “would love to play.”
It makes sense that the Olympics are, finally, becoming a little less appealing to men who are international businesses unto themselves. Accumulated fatigue from extra summer play, added to already aching bodies, has long been an obstacle to full-strength playoff runs, and the media reach of the NBA’s best no longer needs the extra TV eyes it did decades ago. Don’t be surprised if you see more top-shelf talent withdrawing from Rio soon.
(Via Marc Stein, ESPN)
