Russell Westbrook Declines Invite to Play for Team USA in 2016 Rio Olympics
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook declined his invitation to play for head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears relayed Westbrook's statement:
Westbrook joins a growing list of players who have opted against participating in the international competition as Team USA prepares to defend its 2012 gold medal.
According to Spears, Stephen Curry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Anthony Davis, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and John Wall have withdrawn their names from consideration.
In January, Team USA announced 30 finalists for this summer's 12-man roster. But with many players staying stateside as the result of injuries suffered late in the season or concerns over the Zika virus, the list of available names is quickly dwindling.
| Carmelo Anthony | F | New York Knicks |
| Harrison Barnes | F | Golden State Warriors |
| Bradley Beal | F | Washington Wizards |
| Jimmy Butler | G/F | Chicago Bulls |
| Mike Conley | G | Memphis Grizzlies |
| DeMarcus Cousins | C | Sacramento Kings |
| DeMar DeRozan | G | Toronto Raptors |
| Andre Drummond | C | Detroit Pistons |
| Kevin Durant | F | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Kenneth Faried | F | Denver Nuggets |
| Rudy Gay | F | Sacramento Kings |
| Paul George | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Draymond Green | F | Golden State Warriors |
| James Harden | G | Houston Rockets |
| Gordon Hayward | G/F | Utah Jazz |
| Dwight Howard | C | Houston Rockets |
| Andre Iguodala | F | Golden State Warriors |
| LeBron James | F | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Kyrie Irving | G | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| DeAndre Jordan | C | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Kawhi Leonard | F | San Antonio Spurs |
| Kevin Love | F | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Klay Thompson | G | Golden State Warriors |
Considering Curry, Westbrook and Wall are all out of the picture, Krzyzewski and USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo will need to choose from Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard and Mike Conley based on the list of point guards who made the final cut.
However, Boston Celtics floor general Isaiah Thomas has already started to campaign for a spot following Westbrook's announcement:
"I wish I could get a chance to play on the USA team! Looking at the history of it I've never seen a small guard get selected 2 even try out
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) June 10, 2016"
Even though the United States has been left thin in the backcourt, it should still stand strong on the perimeter and down low.
Sacramento Kings interior force DeMarcus Cousins has been told that he has a spot in Rio, per Spears, and ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported on June 6 that Thunder forward Kevin Durant "is indeed still planning" to compete.
Indiana Pacers swingman Paul George is also reportedly likely to land on the final roster, according to the Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor.
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is still mulling things over, and he told The Vertical's Michael Lee in April that if good friend LeBron James decides to go for a third straight gold, "it definitely would help" him make a decision.
"I'm going to take a little more time to think about it," Anthony said, per Lee. "I'm not in a rush. NBA season is still going on, so I'm going to see how I feel physically. Am I ready to take on—I don't want to say burden, but—that load? If I'm ready, I'll do it. If not, my body won't lie to me."
Team USA will head to Rio as a heavy favorite to capture the No. 1 spot on the podium regardless of who's on the roster, but a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Anthony, Durant and George would undoubtedly be more entertaining to watch.
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