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Olympic selection process still “weird” for Kyrie Irving

Even though he had been world champion in 2014 then Olympic champion in 2016, everyone was a little surprised to see Kyrie Irving in the pre-selection of Team USA for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Mavericks leader admits that even Grant Hill, the boss of the selection, was surprised to see him so motivated and interested. In the end, he didn't really get his chance because the final selection was announced without him.

“I wouldn't say it hurt but not being able to try out was just weird. “It was weird not being able to come together as a group, because Team USA isn't 12 or 15 guys.” he explains. “I played for Team USA when I was 17, 18 years old. I have three gold medals. I won when I was 18, 22 and 24. So there is a certain pride, a history. And then there was an incredible pool for the competition, because we were facing the best in the world. It's not every day that you get to challenge players of this caliber. »

Did his history with Nike play a role?

Kyrie Irving thus regrets the old selection process, with a one-week training camp in Las Vegas.

” Absolutely. We had seven days to challenge each other. If I don't make the team, too bad. But I know I'm going to give it my all, and I know I'm one of the guys who can…”

Grant Hill, Steve Kerr and other decision-makers, however, decided to avoid this process this year. Because Stephen Curry was already guaranteed to be part of the team and his profile is too close to that of Kyrie Irving? In any case, the Dallas player is already volunteering for the 2028 Olympics, in Los Angeles…

As for whether his history with Nike could have played a role, he cleverly avoids the subject put forward by Jaylen Brown.

“Um…I don’t know, I don’t know. I don't want to point fingers at that, because I don't pay enough attention to Nike right now. And then I love all those guys who were there, but there was always healthy competition, and they know it. I appreciate this state of mind. I just wanted a chance to make the team.”

Kyrie Irving Percentage Rebounds
Season Team MJ Min Shots 3pts L.F. Off Def Early Pd Party Int Bp Ct Pts
2011-12 KEY 51 31 46.9 39.9 87.2 0.9 2.9 3.8 5.4 2.2 1.1 3.1 0.4 18.5
2012-13 KEY 59 35 45.2 39.1 85.5 0.6 3.1 3.7 5.9 2.5 1.5 3.2 0.4 22.5
2013-14 KEY 71 35 43.0 35.8 86.1 0.7 2.9 3.7 6.1 2.3 1.5 2.7 0.3 20.8
2014-15 KEY 75 36 46.8 41.5 86.3 0.7 2.4 3.2 5.2 2.0 1.5 2.5 0.3 21.7
2015-16 KEY 53 32 44.8 32.2 88.5 0.8 2.1 3.0 4.7 2.0 1.1 2.3 0.3 19.6
2016-17 KEY 72 35 47.3 40.1 90.5 0.7 2.5 3.2 5.8 2.2 1.2 2.5 0.3 25.2
2017-18 BOS 60 32 49.1 40.8 88.9 0.6 3.2 3.8 5.1 2.0 1.1 2.3 0.3 24.4
2018-19 BOS 67 33 48.7 40.1 87.3 1.1 3.9 5.0 6.9 2.5 1.5 2.6 0.5 23.8
2019-20 BRK 20 33 47.8 39.4 92.2 1.1 4.1 5.2 6.4 2.7 1.4 2.6 0.5 27.4
2020-21 BRK 54 35 50.6 40.2 92.2 1.0 3.8 4.8 6.0 2.6 1.4 2.4 0.7 26.9
2021-22 BRK 29 38 46.9 41.8 91.5 0.6 3.8 4.4 5.8 2.8 1.4 2.5 0.6 27.5
2022-23 * All Teams 60 37 49.4 37.9 90.5 1.0 4.1 5.1 5.5 2.8 1.1 2.1 0.8 27.1
2022-23 * BRK 40 37 48.6 37.4 88.3 1.0 4.2 5.1 5.3 2.7 1.0 2.3 0.8 27.1
2022-23 * DAL 20 38 51.0 39.2 94.7 1.1 4.0 5.0 6.0 2.8 1.3 1.9 0.6 27.0
2023-24 DAL 58 35 49.7 41.1 90.5 0.8 4.2 5.0 5.2 1.9 1.3 1.8 0.5 25.6
Total 729 34 47.4 39.3 88.6 0.8 3.2 4.0 5.7 2.3 1.3 2.5 0.4 23.6

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.

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