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STANFORD, Calif. – Not only are the Golden State Warriors having a chance to win a third consecutive NBA title this season, but they can also become the first NBA team to win five players in the US squad before This summer's basketball world cup in China and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
After Warrior coach Steve Kerr was named assistant to Gregg Popovich's US team, the 2016 Warriors star and gold medalist Klay Thompson admitted the opportunity to represent his country alongside his teammates Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cous would be special.
Steve Kerr has been appointed assistant coach of Gregg Popovich to the US team.
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Warrior coach Steve Kerr said Draymond Green was "better" and should play in Friday's playoff final against the Lakers.
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"That would be great," Thompson told ESPN. "I do not know if this has happened in the history of the NBA before, so that would be great, I'm passionate about thinking about it."
The possibility developed on Thursday after USA Basketball announced that Kerr would be part of the Popovich staff alongside Nate McMillan, coach of Indiana Pacers, and Jay Wright, Villanova coach. USA Basket General Manager Jerry Colangelo said the five players had expressed interest in playing for the US team and that they would be taken into account when the team starts to meet at over the next few months.
"The first thing we needed to determine, and we think we have a pretty good impression, is who is really engaged," said Colangelo during a conference call. "Who is really interested in going ahead with us? There are a lot of candidates on the Warriors who have indicated that they wish to be part of it. So, as we kind of look this season, and it's not the secret sauce, but basically we have to watch what happens during the regular season in the NBA with respect to injuries, with respect to other circumstances that arise before starting to really invite the number of people we are planning, to come to our camp next summer in preparation for the World Cup ".
Colangelo noted that Kerr was not chosen to help players such as Curry and Durant to sign up for another race with USA Basketball, but the relationships the coach has established with his players can not harm. Durant won gold medals for the US team in 2012 and 2016, and Green and Cousins also won one in 2016. Warrior Reservists Andre Iguodala won one in 2012 Curry, who has not yet competed in the Olympics, helped the US team win gold at the 2010 World Championships and 2014 World Cup.
"To be honest, I did not think about it," said Curry about the possibility of five Warriors leaving for Team USA. "I'm worried about those nine months that we had until June, of course, if that's how things are going, that would be great." But a lot of time from here there – USAB did a great job putting together the right talent, there are obviously a lot of choices. [USAB has] good leadership with coach K and his staff and now coach Popovich and his staff, that's why I'm happy to be part of the World Championship team, the World Cup and, hopefully, the Olympics in two years. We'll see what happens."
In addition, there is no guarantee that the five players will be with Golden State when Team USA announces its final roster before the World Cup, which begins in late August. The cousins signed a one year contract with the team, and Thompson and Durant could go on a free agency.
For his part, Thompson is fully committed to attempting to win another gold medal at the 2020 Games.
"I'd love it," he says. "I had a great time playing for the American team, I am undefeated in my career with the American team and would love to go back."
Kerr, who was part of the 1986 US team that won the World Championships in Madrid, is excited about his upcoming Olympic experience. He tried for the 1988 team that went to Seoul but did not make the final cut.
"I'm really excited," Kerr said after Thursday's training. "Especially because it's Pop .. But obviously, it's an honor, no matter who trains, to represent your country.To be part of the national team staff is a huge honor. the best of both worlds I can be a staff member and I work with Pop so I'm very excited about it. "
As for the possibility of having his five players in the American team at the same time, Kerr would not let his mind wander so far.
"We do not know what exactly the team will look like," said Kerr. "But I hope that will happen.We will see.I am a hard critic.We will see whether they form the team or not."
Kerr spoke with a small smile from this last part, the same sense of humor that Curry used when asked to talk about Kerr's presence in the new Team USA staff.
"This decision really ruined my chances of playing," said Curry sarcastically. "I do not want to see the coach [Kerr] more than I have to. Coach Popovich should have known that before recruiting Steve, nobody wanted to play for him. This is a regrettable situation. "
For Thompson, the idea of finding Kerr during an Olympic cycle seemed excellent.
"I still have to do the team," Thompson said. "But it would be phenomenal, it would be great, it would be great, it would be very nice."
"LeBron, he did the training session for the day and a half we worked last summer," Colangelo said. "What was more a meeting, just to have a reading about who – who was in, who maybe thought, maybe not [playing]. LeBron showed; for me, it's an indication that he has interest in playing. But the season, the season is wreaking havoc among players. And as players age, it takes a bit more money. So we monitor, we stay in touch. We will see how things [come together]and each player will decide himself whether or not he wants to engage and participate, and we will [move forward]. "
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