Kyrie Irving And Harrison Barnes To Complete US Olympic Team

Gail

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The U.S. basketball team has its roster for Rio. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and Golden State forward Harrison Barnes have agreed to play for the United States Basketball Team at the Rio Olympics, completing the American roster, according to ESPN report last Saturday._20160626_133249

The Americans had received 10 confirmations by Thursday and were holding spots for Irving and LeBron James, who wanted more time to decide after winning the NBA championship. James opted not to play but Irving should be an important player after a number of top point guards, including Stephen Curry, Russel Westbrook and Chris Paul, withdrew from consideration. Irving was the MVP of the 2014 Basketball World Cup.

Once James passed on what would have been a fourth Olympics, the Americans settled on Barnes, who becomes the third Golden State player on the team. The swingman shot poorly in the NBA Finals as the Warriors lost to Cleveland in seven games. The rest of the roster: Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, New York’s Carmelo Anthony, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, Indiana’s Paul George, Golden State’s Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler and the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan.

It’s not as experienced as recent U.S. teams, as only Durant and Anthony have played in the Olympics. The Americans lost a number of potential selections to injuries or other reasons in recent months, including James Harden, Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin. Anthony will set a record by playing on his fourth U.S. team and could become the most decorated Olympic men’s basketball player ever if he helps the Americans to a third straight gold medal.

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