Dream Team Roster for 2016 Olympics: Players for USA's National Basketball Team After Curry Drops Out

USA Olympics Basketball Hoping to Create Powerful Roster Even Without Some Star Players

By Shay Parrish, CP Contributor Wednesday, June 08, 2016

After NBA MVP Stephen Curry withdrew from the list of basketball players for Team USA for the 2016 Olympics, the dream team still hopes to perform well in Rio with equally talented players.

Citing knee and ankle injuries, the Golden State Warriors star announced earlier this week his decision that he will not be playing for the US team for the Rio Olympics.

In a statement, Curry said the decision was a product of "a great deal of internal thought and several discussions with my family, the Warriors and my representatives." With the Warriors player out of the picture, other NBA stars could fight for a spot on the roster like Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving.

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The MVP's statement was followed by the announcement that San Antonio Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge will also not play for Rio 2016 because he injured a finger. Curry and Aldridge will join other players, who are said to be definitely out of the games for the Olympics this August. Other basketball stars who will not play are Kobe Bryant, Anthony Davis, Chris Paul and John Wall.

Black Mamba was reportedly not included in the list of finalists. However, he said that even if he was chosen, he will still not join because he was already given the chance to play in this field.

There are also players who are unsure about their participation in the Olympics. This includes Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, who is said to be considering the threat of the Zika virus in Brazil. James is joined by Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

However, the US team is still filled with talented players who will surely put a great fight versus towering players from European countries. Among them are Jimmy Butler, Harrison Barnes, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins and Draymond Green.

Leading the Olympic team is Mike Krzyzewski, who will be succeeded by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for the 2020 Olympics. The training of the team will begin polishing their play by July.

The managing director for the team, Jerry Colangelo, told ESPN that they will be really careful in choosing the best players for the team this coming Olympics. He added that they are faced with the tough decision to select the best players for the Rio games.