Stephen Curry will reportedly sit out the 2016 Rio Olympics.
His Warriors teammate, Draymond Green, is singing a different tune.
Marc J. Spears of ESPN:
In light of @ThompsonScribe report on Stephen Curry skipping the Rio Olympics, Draymond Green tells @TheUndefeated, "I would love to play."
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 6, 2016
Green has played even more than Curry over the last two years, but Green didn’t suffer a knee injury in the playoffs. Green is also two years younger. And he’s in the first season of a five-year, $82 million contract instead of the penultimate season of a four-year, $44 million extension.
All indications are Green is more likely to remain healthy through Rio and would face less dire consequences if he got hurt.
Like with Curry, I wouldn’t begrudge Green for wanting to rest after a long couple years. But good for him for wanting to play.
Green would be an awesome small-ball center for Team USA, just as he is with Golden State. But I wonder how the Warriors feel about that. They hesitate to play him there for fear of pounding he endures during their games. They might not like him taking that punishment in international play.
Even at power forward, Green – a versatile defender, skilled passer and solid shooter – would help the Americans.
Green is Team USA’s dream player – role-player style, star production. All the questions about how to build the best team – all superstars? how many glue players? – are unnecessary with Green. He’s both at once.
As long he wants to play, USA Basketball should select him.
