LeBron James, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant at Team USA minicamp (Photo : Twitter)
The NBA players who have tried out for a slot in Team USA Men's Basketball team have predictably whittled down.
The long NBA season has taken its toll on the players and while some of them are injured, some simply elected to step aside and use the summer for much needed rest.
Chris Paul of the LA Clippers was the latest to withdraw from contention to make the team, as he shared through Lee Jenkins of SI.com.
"After more than a decade of contribution to USA Basketball, Paul told SI.com on Monday that he is withdrawing from consideration for this summer's Olympic team, likely ending his international career," Jenkins wrote.
"I feel my body telling me that I could use the time," Paul said.
CP3 also shared: "Just a few days ago, Little Chris asked me, 'Daddy, will you play in the Olympics again?'Part of me wanted to say yes, because he's never been part of it. But I told him, 'I want to spend more time with you.'"
With Paul stepping aside, the window could open for John Wall, another player still in consideration but already admitted his doubts of making the final cut, simply because of the overflow of talent at the point guard position.
Paul was considered a shoo-in along with Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook, two players in deep competition for the MVP award and the NBA Championship.
Wall's path is still not clear, though. Damian Lillard and Mike Conley are All-Star snubs but are nonetheless qualified.
In a roundup of players who are still in the running, SB Nation noted that Wall has an "outside chance to sneak in." Size and athleticism are his advantages over Lillard and Conley.
So far, only Chris Paul and New Orleans Pelicans' center-forward Anthony Davis have officially withdrawn. Kobe Bryant also declined if ever he was given a slot. At first, he said he would rather fight for it but later on, officially retired from international play.
Players that are most likely to defend their London gold medal (according to SB Nation) are:
LeBron James
Carmelo Anthony
James Harden
Kevin Durant
Russell Westbrook
It is almost certain that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will make it simply because they are the best shooters in the league. They were also part of the 2014 World Cup team.
Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green are the best two-way players right now and the team could definitely use them.
Kyrie Irving has an advantage because of his 2014 experience, not to mention his connection with Coach K, but Damian Lillard was added to the list because he was just "too good to be ignored." The final point guard spot after Curry and Westbrook could be toss-up between the two, with John Wall also a long shot.
Paul George has a place in Team USA's heart but it's likely he would elect to skip it.
The five position is a trickier call. Anthony Davis was the only shoo-in and he quit.
DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond are the two most dominant centers and if Team USA ignores Cousins' various issues, he could make the cut especially with the Unibrow out.
Drummond has an advantage over DeAndre Jordan because of his World Cup stint but he is not a shoo-in as the team could use small ball more with Green around and the Splash Brothers taking a bigger role.
That being said, Andre Iguodala may be dropped (Kawhi will take over his role) and Kevin Love's diminished role may also take him out in favor of other candidates. Same goes with Kenneth Faried, another World Cup star.
Blake Griffin was determined as another frontline dark horse but he needs to show how well he has recovered, physically and mentally from his offcourt incident.
Jimmy Butler is also projected to beg off due to injury. Meanwhile, other names like Dwight Howard, Gordon Hayward, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Harrison Barnes, Rudy Gay and LaMarcus Aldridge would also not make the team, simply because of superior (or younger) talent available.
