I'm really hoping Aldridge can follow through this time. I'd love to see some Blazers on the team. Something always seems to go wrong when he has the chance to play for team USA.
Official Press Release....... LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE AND DAMIAN LILLARD NAMED TO 2014-16 USA MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER Aldridge and Lillard are two of 28 players in the USA Men’s National Team Pool PORTLAND, Ore. (January 23, 2014) – Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge and guard Damian Lillard were selected for the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team Pool, from which the 2014 USA World Championship Team and, if the U.S. qualifies, the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team will be picked, it was announced today by USA Basketball. “I’m truly honored to be selected to the U.S. Men’s National Team,” said Aldridge. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of making the team and grateful for the opportunity to represent my country.” Aldridge, 28, is posting career highs of 24.2 points (47.6 FG%), 11.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season for the Trail Blazers. The two-time NBA All-Star became the third player in the league this season and second-fastest in franchise history to score 1,000 points, and his three games of 25 points and 20 rebounds are as many as the rest of the NBA combined. “I'm honored to be selected for the 2014-16 USA National Team,” said Lillard. “It's been a dream of mine to have an opportunity to represent my country. I'm joining a talented group of players and l look forward to starting the program this summer.” Last season’s unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year, Lillard, 23, is averaging 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists to go with a 43.0% (131-for-305) mark from 3-point range. He ranks second in the NBA in 3-pointers made, seventh in 3-point percentage and 13th in scoring. Upon registering his 200th assist earlier this month, Lillard became the third NBA player to register 700 points, 200 assists and 100 rebounds this season. Lillard participated this past July in the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National team mini-camp in Las Vegas. A smaller group of U.S. National Team members will be selected to participate in the 2014 USA National Team’s opening training camp in July. Exact training dates and locations for the USA National Team training in 2014 will be announced at a later date. The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain.
I think they both have a good chance of making the team. I don't think there is as much politics in who makes the team versus the All Star game selections.
This is so awesome for those guys. It will make it much more interesting for us fans to watch for sure.
28 players selected to compete for a roster spot: Veterans Carmelo Anthony Tyson Chandler Stephen Curry Anthony Davis Kevin Durant James Harden Dwight Howard Andre Iguodala LeBron James Kevin Love Chris Paul Derrick Rose Russell Westbrook Deron Williams Newcomers LaMarcus Aldridge Bradley Beal DeMarcus Cousins Andre Drummond Kenneth Faried Blake Griffin Paul George Gordon Hayward Kyrie Irving Kyle Korver David Lee Kawhi Leonard Damian Lillard Klay Thompson
The nomination loses some of its luster when your lumped in with the likes of Beal, and Korver but stil nice recognition.
How many make the team? Is it 15? Going to be tough for both to make it (not that they aren't good enough). The reason I say that is most players from previous years never turn down the chance to go again. What really needs to happen is one of two things. 1. USA Olympic needs to start cutting some of the older players to give the new group a chance. or 2. There need to be term limits on Olympic appearances. Can only go twice as an example.
That is so funny to me seeing Anthony Davis lumped as a vet and Aldridge as a newcomer. I understand why, though, just looks funny.
Didn't Aldridge make the team last time, but had to bow out due to surgery? My memory is a bit foggy on that.
