Team USA lost a leader when two-time Olympic Gold medalist Chris Paul withdrew from roster consideration. That hasn’t altered New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony‘s plan to participate in 2016.
One of the NBA’s worst kept secrets is that a brotherhood exists amongst Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade. The four are close friends who have built a bond as high school basketball stars, and the faces of Team USA over the past decade.
Thus, it came as a surprise to all when Paul, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was expected to play with his basketball brothers in 2016, withdrew from consideration for the Summer Games in Rio.
Per Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated:
"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."
Nothing is guaranteed on the Olympic front, but it would’ve been a safe bet to say Paul would’ve made the cut had he made himself eligible.
Paul’s decision has sent shockwaves throughout the basketball community. Many have pondered who will follow in CP3’s footsteps as aging stars of international basketball who opt to utilize the summer as a time of recovery instead of one for further competition.
According to Jonah Ballow of NYKnicks.com, Anthony will not be one of the stars influenced by Paul’s decision.
Melo said he just heard about CP3’s decision not to play in Olympics. Melo still wants to play but will talk to Paul about his decision.
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) March 29, 2016
Anthony expounded upon the thought, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News:
"“From a morale standpoint as a player, if you’ve been through the things I’ve been through the past couple of years you want to feel what that success feels like. You want that success,” he said. “So the Olympics for me is great timing.”“[Chris Paul’s withdrawal] doesn’t affect my decision either way,” Anthony said."
Anthony appears dead-set on making Olympic history, and he has been for quite some time.
Anthony joined Team USA for the 2004 Olympics, and hasn’t looked back. He appeared on the 2008 and 2012 teams, and 12 years removed from his debut at the Summer Games, is looking to make a fourth appearance on the grandest stage in international basketball.
Assuming he makes the cut, Anthony would be the first male basketball player to play in the Olympics on four different occasions.
Anthony has two Olympic gold medals and a bronze from the infamous 2004 debacle. The 2008 and 2012 golds are not just fair compensation, but achievements that present Anthony with a second opportunity to make history.
If Anthony is able to complete the three-peat, he’d become the first male in Olympic basketball history to win at least three gold medals.
Paul had an opportunity to join Anthony as a three-time Gold medalist, but he’s made the decision to preserve his body and use the offseason to recuperate and prepare for the pursuit of an NBA championship. LeBron James can become a three-time Gold medalist, as well, but he’s been non-committal on his Olympic intentions.
Per Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated:
LeBron James says he is still undecided about whether he will play for @usabasketball in Rio, but says he loves playing for the team.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 12, 2016
Team USA should look very different from previous years.
Kobe Bryant, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist, publicly stated that he will not play in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Wade, who hasn’t competed in the Olympics since 2008, also ruled himself out in favor of the next generation.
Of the 12 players who were on Team USA for the 2012 Olympics, six either didn’t make the cut or will miss the event due to injury in 2016.
Tyson Chandler, Andre Iguodala, and Deron Williams join Bryant and Paul as players who won gold in 2012, but either withdrew from consideration or didn’t make the list of finalists in 2016. Anthony Davis will miss the event as he recovers from season-ending surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
That’s six members from the 2012 squad who aren’t even options to make it in 2016. Thus, the 2016 team will likely require veteran leadership.
Playing without Paul may not be ideal, but Anthony appears ready to take on that necessary role.