Team USA has an interesting decision after Chris Paul pulls out of Rio Games
Chris Paul has withdrawn himself from Team USA's 31 player pool.
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2 min read
Team USA's pool of 31 players that are eligible for the 2016 Games turned into 30 after Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul withdrew his name from consideration on Tuesday.
Speaking with SI's Lee Jenkins, Paul, a two-time gold medal winner, said that he wants to use the offseason for rest and recuperation instead of playing in his third Olympics. Paul also said that he won't be playing for Team USA anymore beyond this summer.
From Jenkins:
After more than a decade of contribution to USA Basketball, Paul told SI.com on Monday that he is withdrawing from consideration for this summer’s Olympic team, likely ending his international career. “I feel my body telling me that I could use the time,” he said. Few NBA players have expended more this season than Paul.
Paul, the best point guard of his generation, has a hard time recalling a summer when he was not either injured, recovering from injury, or playing for Team USA. The Olympics are synonymous with other touchstones in his life. His wife, Jada, became pregnant with their son, Chris Jr., right after the ’08 Olympics and gave birth to their daughter, Camryn, right after the ’12 Games. “Just a few days ago, Little Chris asked me, ‘Daddy, will you play in the Olympics again?’” Paul said. “Part of me wanted to say yes, because he’s never been part of it. But I told him, ‘I want to spend more time with you.’” Paul, a fixture at his son’s Little League complex and basketball gym even during the NBA season, opted to stay home.
Hard not to emphatize with Paul here. While winning three gold medals is a very rare feat, Paul is 30 years old and has played 11 seasons, accumulating a lot of wear and tear on his body.
By withdrawing, Paul is opening the door for a younger generation of point guards to get an opportunity on the Olympic stage. And in the process of doing this, Paul can work on getting his body right for the 2016-2017 season while also spending time with his family. A win-win solution for everyone involved.
It remains to be seen which point guards Team USA will select. Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry are virtual locks but with Paul withdrawing, Team USA may select John Wall or even Damian Lillard as a fourth point guard. Or they may choose to go a totally different route and select another wing or even a bigger forward or center, though they already have a separate decision to make in that area after losing Anthony Davis.
