"You can not help but notice … who did not show up"

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After the US team's subsequent defeat against France and Serbia at the FIBA ​​World Cup, USA Basketball's general manager, Jerry Colangelo, said he was unhappy with those who had retired from the tournament this summer.

Colangelo hinted that there will be resentment towards those who stopped playing in the 2019 tournament when it comes time to start compiling the list of players for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"I can only say that you can not help but notice and remember who you thought you were going to go to war with and who did not show up," Colangelo told the press on Thursday (via the Associated Press). Press). "I strongly believe that you are dealing with the cards you have dealt in. All we could have done, and we have done, is to get the commitment of a lot of players. With this kind of hand, you are reasonably confident that you will be able to put on the field a very good team of representatives.

"Nobody could have anticipated the withdrawals we had."

Only four of the 35 players initially invited to represent the US team at the disputed World Cup in China. Many NBA superstars chose to sit out of the tournament in an unprecedented action that left Colangelo and the rest of the USA Basketball team looking for substitutes. The Associated Press notes that only two of the World Cup roster players were NBA All-Stars last season.

"We're going to let the dust fall, let things get a little depressed," said Colangelo. "Obviously, I'm still thinking about the future, which means what's going to happen, and it's going to happen quickly and soon because we just have to act together for the Olympics."

The Americans lost 94-89 against Serbia on Thursday, one day after losing 89-79 to France. The two defeats mark the Americans' first loss in two consecutive games with NBA players since 2002. The US team faces seventh on Saturday against Poland. tournament showing in the history of the program. He had already finished sixth at the 2002 world championships.

MORE: FIBA ​​World Cup 2019: France ends the series of international victories of the US team | FIBA 2019 World Cup: Team USA will play for 7th place after defeat against Serbia | FIBA 2019 World Cup: Myles Turner defends US team after defeat against Serbia

"To go ahead with USA Basketball, we will need the cooperation of teams, agents, and then an individual communication with the players to make these commitments a reality," he said. Colangelo. "I'm looking forward to seeing how many players are joining early to indicate that they wish, wish and wish to play.

"But I'm going to make this statement: it's as much of maybe that we do not want as much as we want."

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