Kobe Bryant in Team USA (Photo : Twitter)
Two star players, Paul George and Kobe Bryant, both want to make the team. George wants his first stint while Kobe wants to leave with a blaze of glory.
While any other nation would not think twice on including the two players in their teams, competition for the Rio Olympics team will be cutthroat. Almost all the big names have confirmed their intentions.
George, despite his horrific injury in last year's camp, still wants a shot at the Olympics.
"Of course," he said to Indystar "I've had a dream of lifting that gold medal. That's definitely motivation."
Speaking on his injury: "It almost seems like it happened ages ago," he confides. "I forget sometimes it was only less than a year. It hasn't really been in the back of my mind anymore. I'm kind of beyond that phase. That's the good thing."
For Kobe Bryant, Jerry Colangelo told ESPN: "And so, he also mentioned to me in a private conversation that if he had his druthers, he would love to ride off into the sunset playing one more time and winning the gold medal. And that would be the end. But he was very quick to say, 'But, I don't want a spot. I need to earn the spot. I need to be capable of playing at that level to be considered.' And I said, 'You got that. That's always there for you."
George and Bryant are fierce competitors, but they would be in for a dogfight since the Team USA camp had all the big names-LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry and James Harden were all in attendance.
If the team is strong enough, they might give Kobe a slot for sentimental reasons, despite his admonition to earn the spot. Even if Bryant loses a step, it's still a level above the competition.
For George, he may need to prove himself again. In the FIBA Worlds, he would have been the leader alongside Kevin Durant. But for Rio, the presence of LeBron James, Durant, Anthony and Kawhi Leonard might jeopardize his chances. Perhaps if he can showcase his versatility on defense when he gets stints as power forward, they might pick him over the others.
