The Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving would like to represent the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this summer, as reported this morning by Shams Charania on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back”.
Kyrie Irving Reveals Team He Wants to Play For
Kyrie Irving wants to play for Team USA this summer, per @ShamsCharania
“I’m told Kyrie Irving has a deep desire to represent his country, represent the USA in the Paris Olympics this summer, he wants to be part of this team.”
(Via @RunItBackFDTV ) pic.twitter.com/pjTpYvWu8I
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 15, 2024
Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks
Irving has quietly put up one of the most productive campaigns of his career. Irving is averaging 25.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season. Injuries have hampered him, as the 32 year-old has missed 22 games already.
Teammate Luka Dončić’s gargantuan statistical output has also overshadowed Irving’s brilliant play.
The Mavericks find themselves in a six-way fight with the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors for the play-in seeding.
With a record of 38-29 and one game out of the playoffs, a strong finish to the regular season is crucial if the Mavericks are to avoid the dreaded play-in picture shaping up in the Western Conference.
Kyrie Irving and Team USA
Charania explained how Irving’s history with the USA basketball program and some of his potential teammates may play a part in whether or not he will be on the team this summer.
“I’m told Kyrie Irving has deep desire to represent his country, represent the USA, in the Paris Olympics this summer. He wants to be part of this team coming up in the summer. We know about his past with USA basketball. [In] 2016, he was part of the gold medal team in the Olympics. He was part of the gold medal team that won the World Cup in 2014. He was also MVP of that tournament. There’s also history with a couple of the top players that are expected to be a part of this team. When you think about LeBron James, they won a championship together. Kevin Durant, they’ve had a close relationship, they were together in Brooklyn. Those relationships, that history, will play a part [in Irving’s potential inclusion].”
Plenty to Prove for Team USA
The US is the defending champion, winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. However, their reputation has taken a hit in recent years. The presence of international basketball is more evident now than ever. A shocking upset at the 2023 FIBA World Cup saw Germany take down the United States in the semifinals.
Charania added that Team USA’s roster for Paris “is looking like the Avengers being formed right now”. That may seem like hyperbole, but that is from far the case. The US could potentially feature LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and many more superstars.
The sheer talent and name recognition of the rumored roster will bring forth high expectations, as Team USA looks to reclaim its throne on the global stage.
