Jerry Colangelo on Anthony Davis Not Making Team USA

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Published: July 7, 2012

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Jerry Colangelo about the decision not to invite Anthony Davis to be part of Team USA. 

USA! USA! (Yes this picture is in the other post, but USA RULEZ!)

Full disclosure– I was separated from Andrew during this part of the press conference, I stupidly  my voice recorder stupidly didn’t record the part about Anthony Davis. Fortunately I’m not in New Orleans, so my brain is actually functioning close to 90%.

As a result, I feel confident in relaying the information as I remember it.

Here’s what I took from Jerry’s comments on  Anthony Davis

  • Davis was a longshot to make the team to begin with, and his ankle injury all but sealed the deal.
  • They thought coming in that at this time he lacks the physicality needed to bang at the international level.
  • If someone were to get hurt, especially a big man, he’s still an option.
  • Jerry said that Davis was probably “relieved” since he appeared to be stressing that the ankle would be a burden.
  • Davis will finish out the next few days on the USA Select Team
  • It’s unclear if he will be able to compete against other players in the next few days.
  • Perhaps most importantly, he said that they expect Davis to be a big part of Team USA basketball going forward.

More stuff from Jerry–

“I think most people expect that Spain is going to tbe the biggest competition but we have to take them one at a time. We found out in 06– when we were young– we had a bunch of young guys and we lost a game to Greece. Now we’d probably beat them 99 out of a 100 times, but that one time it happened, so never overlook your opponent. If we take care of ourselves, which we will be, I think our speed, quickness, versatility.”

He also said that DeMarcus Cousins has a lot of growing up to do if he wants to be part of USA Basketball in the future.

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