With the playoffs in full swing and topics like the draft lottery and free agency pressing topics for Lakers’ fans, it’s easy to forget that this summer the Olympics will take place. And, with that, we will have another Team USA roster to discuss, debate, and watch take on the rest of the world in the global games. The top team which heads to Rio, however, will not be the only “Team USA” squad this summer. No, there will also be a “Select” team which is made up of young players who will scrimmage against the main group and get their feet wet with the National program.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, two young Lakers will be invited to play for the select team when they convene this summer.
Sources: Lakers' D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle invited to play for USA Select Team this summer. They'll compete against Olympic team.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 13, 2016
This is a nice little honor for these two guys; a recognition of their status as two up and coming players in the league. It’s not a guarantee for future participation on the main team — the Olympic and World Championships rosters will almost always be made up of the guys who are not just All-Stars, but competing for the All-NBA Teams — but as 1st and 2nd year players it’s a step in the right direction and, as noted, a recognition as young players on the rise.
For reference, some of the players who were on the 2014 Select team include Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Marcus Smart, Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, and Dion Waiters. Green, of course, has turned into a star player and has a strong chance of being named to the Olympic team this summer. The rest of those players are key contributors for their teams, but none have truly broken out in a major way as of yet. The Lakers surely hope Russell and Randle follow Green’s path.
As an aside, some are likely wondering why Jordan Clarkson was not invited with his teammates. Well, if you’ll recall, Clarkson has made efforts to play for the Philippine National team down the road. With that, he would not be eligible to play for Team USA in any capacity (the same would be true of Karl Anthony-Towns who has already suited up for the Dominican Republic’s National Team).
Back to Russell and Randle, I’ll be interested in seeing how they do in this environment. The National Team environment is heavy on competition where the best of the best go at it and really learn from each other. Both young Lakers could use that type of atmosphere to continue to help grow their games heading into next season.
Warren Wee Lim says
Being invited for Team USA is huge because players often get experiential teaching from the best players in the world. If they are dedicated enough, they’ll use this experience to be better. Guys like Kyrie became top-level players when they were beside Kobe in Team USA. Melo and Lebron included.
bleedpurplegold says
I can somehow understand clarksons decision from a competitive standpoint. You want to compete in big tournaments, and i cant see him on team usa in the future…
WWL:
Not only that, i also think your work ethic and your maturity grows being around those guys. Really excited to see how our younguns do against the top dogs in basketball.
Who is going to coach the select team?
matt says
Byron scott said some stuff recently about not understanding why he was fired, he said when they hired him they talked about a 4-5 year rebuild and were not expecting to win the first couple years, this gives some insight into the managements decisions.
barry_g says
Great honor for those guys, and confirmation that the Lakers are heading in the right direction talent-wise.
Gary says
Good opportunity for the Lakers youngsters to get some exceptional coaching and valuable experience. If they take this seriously we should see some nice improvement from them next season.
As an aside. I think the Thunder’s run here seals the fact that KD will re-up for two years with an opt out next summer. I believe he’ll time his free agency with Westbrook’s. Who knows maybe they become a packaged deal somewhere in 2017.
About what the Thunder can do this summer: They’re pretty tight on salaries this off season but they have enough young players with value that they can package them away in trades if they chose to make a run serious at DeRozan, Beal or Batum.
Fern says
From the other thread:This is me during these playoffs and listening to fans of playoff teams . http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1N5p8IXzNdc
matt says
Playa hater
matt says
I don’t know how to copy a link, just saw a funny youtube video about phil jackson destroying the knicks so he can get fired, and come back to l.a.
matt says
Gary
About the thunder i thought the same thing, if they add a shooting guard they would be unstoppable
matt says
I’m always getting off topic,
But about these u.s.a. select team games that randle and russell will be on, will these gamea be on t.v.
bluehill says
Gary, I agree. Don’t think KD is leaving after the Spurs series unless GSW absolutely blows them out, which I don’t think will happen. Something obviously clicked in the Spurs series, especially with Russ. Now those guys are playing at a different level and they are still figuring out how good they can be. Why would KD leave that?
rr says
One of the adjustments that Donovan made, the big lineup, probably won’t work as well against Golden State, and beyond that, Golden State is just better than SA.
That said, I agree that Durant will almost certainly stay in OKC, although I thought he would anyway.
matt says
Nba draft combine is going on right nowx scrimmage games on espn
AttilasDaughter says
KD said this about the Warriors: I don’t want to join them, I want to beat them.
This will be very interesting how a tall team (Durant, Ibaka, Kanter, Adams) works out against small ball.
The Western finals will be super energetic.
If it doesn’t work out for OKC Durant can join the Spurs.
His best chance to beat the Warriors.
T. Rogers says
“If it doesn’t work out for OKC Durant can join the Spurs.”
—
With the decline of San Antonio’s big 3 Durant may be better off staying in OKC. I also wouldn’t be surprised if LaMarcus Aldridge is now second guessing his decision to leave Portland.
Fern says
I dont think KD is leaving at all. The Thunder is on the West Finals after upsetting a 67 team, so even if they don’t get past the Warriors they have a nice thing going and their cap is going up too so they might be able to get that 3rd wheel that can get them over the hump.
Tra says
While it’s all good that DLo and Randle have been selected to play for the USA Select Team, my main concern is that they remain healthy during these scrimmages and come out of them injury free.
AttilasDaughter says
@T.Rogers
“With the decline of San Antonio’s big 3 Durant may be better off staying in OKC. I also wouldn’t be surprised if LaMarcus Aldridge is now second guessing his decision to leave Portland.”
I think Aldridge, Leonard, Durant, Parker sounds like a good lineup.
Not sure Parker will retire.
Maybe the Spurs are second guessing getting Aldridge, his performance in the playoffs was a mixed bag.
For Durant it is really the best to stay in OKC, the new coach did a great job.
But second to that his chances to beat the Warriors are the best at a renewed Spurs team. I think.
Warren Wee Lim says
Not just about rumors, but I’ve been getting this vibe for this summer: the Spurs will be getting the latest successor to its dynastic 2-decade run and it would be a much needed shooter + defensive PG. None better than Mike Conley, Jr out there. So while the world is busy guessing where Durant is going, GSW or SAS, I think he re-ups in OKC for a 1+1 deal to maximize earnings. The +1 is merely for injury insurance, its the ability to opt out of July ’17 to get the super max at 10yrs experience.
If and when Conley leaves MEM, Gasol would then be up for grabs.
I predict that the Lakers are signing Derozan on a 4-yr 100M deal. I mean like him or not, the guy is 23-4-4 with 8.4 FTA per game at 85%. He might be an underdeveloped shooter, but his ability to slash and produce points fit what we need.
Much as we like Hassan Whiteside too, he might consider staying in MIAMI due to this unbelievable run they are having right now.
Anonymous says
I sense a DeRozan signing as well. I also hope the Lakers don’t have to give Him that much $. Unfortunately, if they want him they will have to pay a market rate. The Lakers will have an expensive backcourt with Clarkson due for his big raise this summer as well. DeMar would move Jordan to a third guard and likely make Williams expendable.
Re: Marc Gasol — Yes, the Grizzlies will realize it’s time to rebuild and make him available. The Lakers should pass. Big men with foot problems are a concern. Plus, he’s a low post center stuck in a small ball NBA. Not a good fit.
Anonymous says
Gasol will be 32. Pass.
matt says
Yeah miami is making waves without chris bosh, speaking of waves maybe they wave him
LKK says
I’m really interested to see how Russ and Randle perform in comparison to the other members of the select team. Can they hang with players like Rodney Hood, Devin Booker and Jabari Parker? If they can show their chops against their peers, who are fellow one and two year players, then eventually they’ll be able to compete against the true elite players in the league.
A Horse with no name says
I have confidence in the Lakers ability to scout and evaluate talent. There is no way they pursue DeRozan at max money. What a poor fit he would be in the GS offense that Luke plans to run! He cannot space the floor as he a lousy distance shooter, and worse, he is a poor passer. Clarkson can give the Lakers dribble penetration and better passing off penetration than DeRozan. Recall that Mitch recently said he is more concerned about their needs in the front court than the back court…. C’mom fellas!
Warren Wee Lim says
One guy I have put my eyes on, knowing its Walton at the helm, is Meyers Leonard. Though I must say Portland will not hesitate to keep the guy, but they’ve been playing Plumlee and Ed Davis quite alot so paying Leonard 8 figures might not be in their plans.
Another guy I like, also from Portland, is Allen Crabbe. That kid is going to get paid.
I had suggested signing Bismack Biyombo to a 4-yr 12M deal last summer (3M x 4), now he might be worth thrice that at the very least.
We all know about Festus Ezeli and Harrison Barnes.
As for vets, I like the lowkey moves of acquiring Marvin Williams and Joakim Noah to reasonable 1+1 year deals.
Pat says
WWL — with you on Leonard. Too bad his contract year was cut short by injuries. If we strike out with Whiteside (not interested in Horford due to cost/age/diminished production/injuries) then Leonard would be my back up plan.
I like Leonard over Ezeli who is more of a traditional low post center. Didn’t we just try that experiment with Hibbert.
I’d go Barnes and Whiteside, but wouldn’t be upset if we landed Barnes and Leonard. I think the FO wants DeRozan…can we afford all three?
bluehill says
Horse – don’t know DeMar that well, but he’s a career .283 3pt shooter so you make a great point. Don’t know how well that fits with a GSW offense where it seems like you either are driving or shooting a 3. Midrange is only when the play breaks down.
I’ve read some other people saying that the Toronto offense was hurting his 3 pt shooting but I don’t know enough to assess that view. In any case, I know we need to upgrade our talent, but I’m going to hope that the FO doesn’t feel like they have to buy whatever is available each year.
If they feel DeMar is on par with KD, then I get it.
Assuming that we don’t get KD, which I think is likely, then the FO should find the best players for Luke’s system and use next year to see what the system and the players are capable of. We’re rebuilding and essentially we’re rebuilding around Luke.
Warren Wee Lim says
That’s how I put my board. Ingram, Clarkson all assumptions.