New Team USA coach Steve Kerr may not hold a training camp involving players during the summer, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Kerr, who officially took over the position earlier this week, has talked to managing director Grant Hill about conducting a coaches camp instead, which would represent a new approach for the national team.
The next World Cup won’t take place until the 2023 offseason, and the next Olympics are two-and-a-half years away. Team USA will be hoping to get a two-year commitment from its players to participate in both events. The Americans have won the last four Olympic gold medals, but finished seventh at the 2019 World Cup.
“I’m in touch with Grant all the time and we’re discussing those things,” Kerr said. “Obviously there is COVID complications as well, but with the World Cup not being until the following summer, there’s not a huge sense of urgency to get a bunch of players together. It’s more about getting the coaches together and really starting to put a foundation together.”
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Kenneth Faried has received an offer to play in the G League, tweets Marc Stein of Substack. The 32-year-old big man played eight NBA seasons, but hasn’t been in the league since finishing the 2018/19 season with the Rockets. Faried has played overseas since then, but ended his arrangement with CSKA Moscow last week.
- Anthony Bennett has parted ways with Hapoel Jerusalem, tweets Israeli basketball writer Roi Cohen. Bennett, the first selection in the 2013 draft, averaged 7.0 points per game while playing in the Winner League and the Basketball Champions League. Bennett has been out of the NBA since the 2016/17 season and has played both in the G League and overseas.
- Fan voting for the NBA’s All-Star Game began today and will continue through January 22, the league announced (via Twitter). Votes can be submitted at NBA.com, through the NBA app or on Twitter. Votes will count double today, as well as January 13, 17 and 20.
Faried should be back in the league. Someone could use him via hardship exception. Wonder who offered him to a G League deal . . . Bennett, on the other hand, should NOT be back in the NBA. He was the biggest bust of all time . . . except for Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan.
Faried should be on a team. Seems like he’s blacklisted or something. He was solid his last stint with Rockets. Was shocked they didn’t resign him.
If Bennett gets a 10-day contract you know the league is desperate. At that point Silver should shut it down and go bubble.
Who do you vote?
Westbrook or Draymond?
Westbrook
Triple double, all time great, Won MVP because of stats
Draymond , not all star last 3 years
Average Single single
Easily Draymond… defense playmaking all about winning and team play
It depends what kind of team you are.
If you’re a team without much of a core and/or in need of a star, you want Westbrook. He can carry a team. However, if you’re a team already in contention and need all the help you can get, like the Suns, Bucks, Jazz, Celtics, etc, you want Draymond. I think most teams would say Draymond. However, I think Westbrook’s value is higher – in terms of on-court fit, Draymond would obviously be better for the Lakers, but I can’t see a one-for-one swap Westbrook for Draymond happening. Draymond just isn’t viewed as a perennial superstar like Westbrook is.
Guess you missed the GSW-PHX game on free tv. Dray was dynamic. He is a winner, RW is not. Go back to evaluating Bennet.
Hey Arthur! Small correction, Anthony Bennett was the number 1 pick in 2013 not 14.
another correction… last 4 gold medals not 3.
Thanks guys, those have been fixed.