Fresh off a gold medal two years ago in London, the defending FIBA World Cup champions USA are rallying the best Basketball players in the country as they head to Spain this summer to defend their crown. The US squad is yet to officially announce its final roster with training camp still underway but right now were already seeing a bit of drama as a big name is already withdrawing his services for his country.
The Los Angegles Clipper perennial All-Star power forward Blake Griffin has reportedly announced today that he won't be playing for the USA Men's Basketball National Team next month. Griffin was invited to participate in training camp but declined the offer because he wanted to focus his time and energy with the Clippers for the coming 2014-2015 NBA season.
"I appreciate the invitation to play for Team USA this summer," Griffin said. "It is a special opportunity anytime you have a chance to represent your country, and I was honored to be included. However, right now I want to focus and dedicate 100 percent of my energy on improving and preparing for the upcoming season with the Clippers."
The 25 year old Griffin, who was the 2011 Rookie of the Year and NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion, is coming off the best season of his career after averaging 24.1 points - sixth best in the NBA last season - and 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists while leading the Clippers to the second round of the playoffs together with Super Star point guard Chris Paul.
The high-flying Clippers big man was one of the best, if not the best, Power Forwards in the NBA last season after he helped the Clippers clinch the third best record in the NBA even with Chris Paul sidelined for a significant part of the season. He was again nominated as an All-Star for the fourth consecutive time in his career.
With Blake Griffin's exceptional athleticism, talent, and all elite skill level, it was widely expected that he would be chosen in the preliminary United States roster for the World Cup in Spain. His decision to opt out in the US Basketball team was a source of disappointment for team USA's managing director Jerry Colangelo:
"I'm disappointed he's not going to be with us," Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports. "It's unfortunate (because) it's been two competitions in a row (that Griffin has missed), but it sounds like a broken record because it happened recently with someone else."
But given the physical nature of Blake Griffin's game, it makes sense if he decides to take as much offseason rest as possible and pass out the opportunity to play for his country in Spain for the FIBA World Cup championships. Besides, its not like Team USA is already loaded with elite NBA talent and even if they lost a vital piece in Griffin they will still head to the tournament as the clear favorite to win it all.
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