USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo called this week’s minicamp mandatory for players who wanted to represent Team USA in the 2016 Olympics.
But, apparently, he didn’t mean mandatory mandatory.
Kobe Bryant is still in contention for Rio, and so is at least one other player not in Las Vegas: Andre Iguodala.
Marc Stein of ESPN:
Story going online now to detail whole Paul George situation and how NBA Finals MVP @andre Iguodala remains in USAB's plans going forward
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 12, 2015
Coach K told ESPN on Tuesday that door to Rio consideration remains open for Iguodala; he was excused from this camp after recent wedding
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 12, 2015
After joining Monday night's team meeting and then meeting one-on-one with Coach, Paul George was allowed to leave USAB camp, sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 12, 2015
Iguodala is one of seven players previously in the player pool who weren’t expected to attend the minicamp. The other six:
- Tyson Chandler
- Kyle Korver
- David Lee
- Damian Lillard
- Derrick Rose
- Deron Williams
Do any other players have excused absences? I doubt Lillard does. Rose carries such a high profile, we’d probably know if he did. But I wouldn’t rule out Chandler, Korver, Lee and/or Williams.
Even if those four are still under consideration for 2016, I doubt they’d make it. Ditto Iguodala.
Like Chandler and Williams, Iguodala won a gold medal in 2012. He’s a glue player – capable of defending multiple positions and a good enough 3-point shooter. But he’ll also be 32 for Rio.
His 2012 contributions should give him a little extra leeway, and his wedding is a good reason to miss the minicamp. Kudos to Colangelo and Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski for not being unreasonable hardliners on the rules.
Iguodala still deserves a chance to earn inclusion on the merits. It’s just hard to see him playing well enough to take advantage of that opportunity.
