Kyrie Irving Named to Team USA’s Select Team
2012-05-03
Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will have a busy July representing team and country in Las Vegas.
The presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year not only will lead the Cavs’ summer-league squad, but also help prepare the U.S. Olympic basketball club as it readies for the Summer Olympics in London.
USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo confirmed that Irving will receive an invite to participate on the U.S. Select Team, which acts as a sparring partner for the Olympic team and serves as a pool of talent from which future international sides will be drawn. The select squad, comprised of 10 to 14 players, will scrimmage against the Olympic team from July 5-11, a Team USA spokesman said.
This sounds like it’s going to be a great (albeit brief) experience for the 20 year-old. Any time Irving spends around USA basketball is likely to be productive.
Carson – It’s fair to assume a couple of things will happen: 1. He will become a better passer than he already is – this is because the game will slow down substantially from year one to year two. Furthermore he SHOULD have a few better scoring options next year, Andy will return, and Tigger should get better. 2. His D will improve – probaby not substaintially, but enough for us to notice. The big improvements usually come around year 4 and 5. 3. His shooting might get SLIGHTLY better, or could get slightly worse. Part of me thinks this… Read more »
Given a training experience like this USA Select Team, the summer league, the common rookie-to-sophomore curve, AND a full NBA offseason/training camp… Is it not just on overly optimistic assumption from a Cavs fan that Kyrie will rise meteorically from this season to next? Considering the polish he demonstrated as a rookie (who played in only 11 college games) I find it hard to imagine him not becoming a dramatically better basketball player next year. I guess pessimistically one could think, “well, he was so polished and so far into his game that he’s already at/near his ceiling…” But I’m… Read more »