[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Kevin Durant has pulled out for the World Cup this summer according to Marc Stein & Marc Spears on twitter

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Your money is in the NBA. Why risk injury there. He did his part. Blake did the same thing because he does not need the risk.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Your money is in the NBA. Why risk injury there. He did his part. Blake did the same thing because he does not need the risk.

[trelos6Participant]

KD was providing the "superstar" value to this team.

Spain must think they have a strong chance to win this world championship now.

 

[trelos6Participant]

KD was providing the "superstar" value to this team.

Spain must think they have a strong chance to win this world championship now.

 

[anthony_DavIS23Participant]

“Due to physical and emotional reasons” he did look pretty shaken up after PG24’s injury that obviously played a huge part in this.

[anthony_DavIS23Participant]

“Due to physical and emotional reasons” he did look pretty shaken up after PG24’s injury that obviously played a huge part in this.

[druneave3Participant]

DeRozan should make the squad now right? 

Small rant: Let the young guys play. Under 23. The NBA no longer needs that venue to promote the game, it’s popularity is already global and don’t see that fading anytime soon. 

 

[druneave3Participant]

DeRozan should make the squad now right? 

Small rant: Let the young guys play. Under 23. The NBA no longer needs that venue to promote the game, it’s popularity is already global and don’t see that fading anytime soon. 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

This is a crushing blow to Team USA. They’re no longer the favorites in my opinion. 

It’s going to be interesting to see if any other players pull out. 

I can’t say I’m surprised… Players were absolutely shook after seeing Paul George get injured. It’s hard to get that out of your mind and play free. 

 

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 I completely agree with this. USA is still the favorite, but there’s a bigger chance of a upset. I can see Rose, Harden and Curry taking the leadership offensively.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 I completely agree with this. USA is still the favorite, but there’s a bigger chance of a upset. I can see Rose, Harden and Curry taking the leadership offensively.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

This is a crushing blow to Team USA. They’re no longer the favorites in my opinion. 

It’s going to be interesting to see if any other players pull out. 

I can’t say I’m surprised… Players were absolutely shook after seeing Paul George get injured. It’s hard to get that out of your mind and play free. 

 

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Gives them the chance to highlight the young guys in the NBA…

I like the Idea of using only U23 or even a team made up of Veterans like Korver, Ridnour, Etc.Ect.Etc…

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Gives them the chance to highlight the young guys in the NBA…

I like the Idea of using only U23 or even a team made up of Veterans like Korver, Ridnour, Etc.Ect.Etc…

[phila9012Participant]

This is a little different than what people have been saying. I am for the NBA putting in a limit of 3 tournaments for each NBA player, starting from the time they sign their first NBA contract, tournaments being either the world cup or the olympics and the qualifying for them. Then like since durant skipped this, the 2016 olympics would be his last tournament. 

[phila9012Participant]

This is a little different than what people have been saying. I am for the NBA putting in a limit of 3 tournaments for each NBA player, starting from the time they sign their first NBA contract, tournaments being either the world cup or the olympics and the qualifying for them. Then like since durant skipped this, the 2016 olympics would be his last tournament. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Have to go big now.  Score inside with Cousins off the bench along with Drummond.

i would start Rose, Curry, Kyle Korver, Davis, and Plumlee.  Make Rose, Curry, and Davis the big three with Korver and Mason as the role players. 

Sixth man: Harden.  

Chandler Parsons comes off the bench as the Durant/George replacement.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Have to go big now.  Score inside with Cousins off the bench along with Drummond.

i would start Rose, Curry, Kyle Korver, Davis, and Plumlee.  Make Rose, Curry, and Davis the big three with Korver and Mason as the role players. 

Sixth man: Harden.  

Chandler Parsons comes off the bench as the Durant/George replacement.  

[omphalosParticipant]

I hope the team reinvents itself around its big men and goes big with Davis and Cousins as the starters with Drummond coming off the bench.

[omphalosParticipant]

I hope the team reinvents itself around its big men and goes big with Davis and Cousins as the starters with Drummond coming off the bench.

[bigtymer32Participant]

 will let guys like james harden shine even more

[bigtymer32Participant]

 will let guys like james harden shine even more

[stealsgaloreParticipant]

 This is very interesting for reasons beyond the obvious implications from Paul George’s injury. 

The last world cup was Kevin Durant’s coming out party as a viable number 1 option and MVP candidate in the league. This was possible because there was not the presence of another truly established NBA star. With KD’s withdrawl who does this open up the door for to possibly take that next step?

It could be Rose reasserting himself as  an MVP cantidate or Harden putting in some effort on D and establishing himself as a legit superstar.

One interesting case will all these wing losses is Demar Derozan. I think he can make another jump after averaging 22 ppg and making his first all star team. I think making this team and getting some legitimate playing time would be great for his development.

[stealsgaloreParticipant]

 This is very interesting for reasons beyond the obvious implications from Paul George’s injury. 

The last world cup was Kevin Durant’s coming out party as a viable number 1 option and MVP candidate in the league. This was possible because there was not the presence of another truly established NBA star. With KD’s withdrawl who does this open up the door for to possibly take that next step?

It could be Rose reasserting himself as  an MVP cantidate or Harden putting in some effort on D and establishing himself as a legit superstar.

One interesting case will all these wing losses is Demar Derozan. I think he can make another jump after averaging 22 ppg and making his first all star team. I think making this team and getting some legitimate playing time would be great for his development.

[NeggedAlterEgosAlterEgo]

The bigger question is who else pulls out?

If a top 5 player like Durant pulls out other player have to look at this and say what is our chances of winning now? Is that worth risking injury now that Durant ,pg,griffen  all wont participate.

 

where there be any last minute drop out or  invites including invites to college players (jhalil okafor and his duke ties)?  very curious.

 

[NeggedAlterEgosAlterEgo]

The bigger question is who else pulls out?

If a top 5 player like Durant pulls out other player have to look at this and say what is our chances of winning now? Is that worth risking injury now that Durant ,pg,griffen  all wont participate.

 

where there be any last minute drop out or  invites including invites to college players (jhalil okafor and his duke ties)?  very curious.

 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Anyone else think this apparent Under Armor deal might have something to do with this? Team USA is Nike sponsored. Just saying….

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Anyone else think this apparent Under Armor deal might have something to do with this? Team USA is Nike sponsored. Just saying….

[Status QuoParticipant]

Not so much the Nike sponsorship, I think it had more to do with the reported 10 yrs, 325 million he could possibly risk by getting hurt.

[Status QuoParticipant]

Not so much the Nike sponsorship, I think it had more to do with the reported 10 yrs, 325 million he could possibly risk by getting hurt.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Wow, huge loss. Of course USA is still the favorite. But now in a tournament that has a bunch of single elimination games to win the championship, they are not a lock. KD was going to be their super skilled PF, while Davis gave them finishing and skill at Center. They have to fill the 25 minutes a night at PF that KD would have played. Yikes they haven’t really selected to be able to do that.  I guess Faried makes the team now. Actually, I’m not sure who is left from the last round of cuts. I’m not sure if Faried is in there. 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Wow, huge loss. Of course USA is still the favorite. But now in a tournament that has a bunch of single elimination games to win the championship, they are not a lock. KD was going to be their super skilled PF, while Davis gave them finishing and skill at Center. They have to fill the 25 minutes a night at PF that KD would have played. Yikes they haven’t really selected to be able to do that.  I guess Faried makes the team now. Actually, I’m not sure who is left from the last round of cuts. I’m not sure if Faried is in there. 

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Good for KD…. After PG’s injury I would have pulled out too. Too risky

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Good for KD…. After PG’s injury I would have pulled out too. Too risky

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

Because before PG’s injury it wasn’t risky?

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

Because before PG’s injury it wasn’t risky?

[joecheck88Participant]

 Talent wise they’re still the best team by far but the experience has to factor in now.  Harden, Davis, Curry and Rose have Int’l experience but that’s it. I think post defense now becomes more important. That’s where we are weak but made up for it with a guy like Durant. I think Cousins and Davis should be locks with Drummond or Plumlee as a reserve. Just for Spain. We should still cruise through group play though. 

I would still bet on USA but this is great news for Spain, Lithuania and any other serious contenders. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 Talent wise they’re still the best team by far but the experience has to factor in now.  Harden, Davis, Curry and Rose have Int’l experience but that’s it. I think post defense now becomes more important. That’s where we are weak but made up for it with a guy like Durant. I think Cousins and Davis should be locks with Drummond or Plumlee as a reserve. Just for Spain. We should still cruise through group play though. 

I would still bet on USA but this is great news for Spain, Lithuania and any other serious contenders. 

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