There's definitely some confusion here. Bottom line: this is NOT the actual Olympic squad. This is basically the Junior Varsity. The A-Team has the summer off. From the original link: HANG TIME NEW JERSEY – As Summer League wraps up, it’s time to turn our attention to USA Basketball. The Men’s Senior National Team won’t be playing in any tournaments this summer. They qualified for next summer’s World Cup by winning last summer’s Olympics, so they’re not sending a team to the FIBA Americas tournament that begins Aug. 30 in Caracas, Venezuela. But managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski aren’t taking the summer off. Instead, they’re bringing 29 young players to Las Vegas for a mini-camp that begins Monday and concludes with an intra-squad scrimmage on Thursday (9 p.m. ET, NBA TV). It’s an opportunity for the players to make a positive impression on the USA Basketball staff, and for the staff to develop thoughts about next summer’s roster, which could include players from last year’s Olympic Team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets">@HoustonRockets</a>' <a href="https://twitter.com/ChandlerParsons">@chandlerparsons</a> takes a breather between scrimmages. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USABMNT&src=hash">#USABMNT</a> <a href="http://t.co/sJCnglSjr5">http://t.co/sJCnglSjr5</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/statuses/359415249994137600">July 22, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I did say players who are even, or youd get equal value back in a trade. Every team besides Houston with Dwight and Asik would trade Parsons for Drummond. Parsons and Ryan Anderson are about equal with Parsons more versatility but Anderson be'tter rebounder and pure shooter. (No I wouldnt trade Parsons for him, but if there was two Parson types 1 expandable, maybe)
Nope it will not be easy. European teams have continuity and have played together for many years. They know their plays, the tendencies of their teammates, the strengths and weaknesses. The only aspect in which USA is ahead is talent and athletecism. So if team USA, sends lesser talent believe me it will no be that easy to win gold.
I'm not sure, but I think this is Chandler Parsons blocking DeMarcus Cousins: https://vine.co/v/hKnZuWQ7qLK
Looks like him. He's wearing that same grey shirt underneath his jersey as in the picture above. Just switched colors.
Sorry don't know how to embed. got this from twitter: Chandler Parsons with the fast break dunk. http://instagram.com/p/cFS5Cwj0f9/
I really don't want to demean the accomplishment here - well done Parsons. However, there are 28 blokes in that picture, and one of them was part of the 12 blokes who are the "real" Team USA (+11). And only two of the guys selected played in the All-star game this year (+15) There are 30 teams in the NBA, which means 150 starters. Of those starters, a number are foreign born, and therefore ineligible to play for team USA. But let's overlook that for a moment. These numbers show that Chandler is part of the "top 54 of 150" players in the NBA. By my (very quick and rough) count there are approximately 30 foreign born starters in the NBA (who haven't played in the All-star game) - so that would make it the top 54 of 120. So we're saying the team USA summer camp invite means you're basically a slightly above average NBA starter. Not dissing CParsons here at all - but just suggesting we temper our excitement about this "achievement"?? [note: this has probably all been said already, I just didn't read the thread...]
I saw some of these guys going into the Mendenhall Center on my way to work. I'll be going to the exhibition on Thurs. and I'll post a select number of pics.
Not really. They got tons of above average and very good PG prospects but those 4 SF position (the fewest of one position next to the Center position) selected: Paul George Parsons Barnes MKG Those are the upcoming borderline allstars, super role players or star in Pau George. Only Paul George is considered better than Parsons. Others are arguable or inferior. Let's not kid ourselves. Parsons is a good player. (Top 40 or Top 50 in the game) He should get better. Not sure to the point of being an allstar but he should get close at the very least if he keeps on working.
Always like to see our players involved in stuff like this. Maybe Parsons can start the recruiting early for our future third star.