"I am baffled" - Draymond Green picks 4 NBA players he thinks could've dominated Olympic 3x3 Basketball
Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green was baffled after Team USA failed to dominate the men's 3x3 basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jimmer Fredette and company even failed to make it to the knockout rounds after finishing seventh out of eight teams.
On the latest episode of "The Draymond Green Show," the four-time NBA champ expressed his disappointment in Team USA's performance at the men's 3x3. He also asked why there were no NBA stars on the team and questioned the selection of Fredette, Canyon Barry, Kareem Maddox and Dylan Travis.
"I can't understand for the life of me how that 3x3 team was the team that we ended up with. I am baffled," Green said.
Draymond Green also suggested sending young NBA players such as Jalen Green, Jalen Duren and Tyrese Maxey to give them experience playing in the Olympics. Green even pointed out that players such as Naz Reid, who might never get a chance to be on the national team, be selected to dominate the 3x3 tournament.
"Why are not young NBA players on the 3×3 team? Like, guys that, A, has not gotten an opportunity to play on the national team yet, or B, guys that may never get the opportunity? Naz Reid, animal. Naz Reid would destroy them dudes. Naz Reid gives guys fits in the league, everybody."
He added:
"Naz Reid, Jalen Green, you got, like, big Jalen Duren. A fourth? Number one, again, this is about building a resume. However, I think he's on his way to being a superstar, and he’ll probably be on the next Team USA, Tyrese Maxey."
Team USA finished with a record of 2-5 and failed to make the play-ins due to point differential. Nevertheless, it was a disappointing performance and Jimmer Fredette's injury is not an excuse.
Answering Draymond Green's question why are there no NBA players in Team USA's 3x3 roster
It's simple to think like Draymond Green about why USA Basketball didn't just choose four NBA players on the 3x3 roster. However, FIBA has made it difficult for the United States to dominate a relatively "new sport." 3x3 basketball was only introduced in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and ensured that the Americans could not dominate.
3x3 rosters should include two players ranked in the Top 10 of their country and two players either ranked in the Top 50 of their country or have the minimum number of ranking points. Players can obtain these rankings and points by competing in FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 events all year round.
Most of these 3x3 events are scheduled during the NBA season, so it's almost impossible for players to compete in these competitions. Ice Cube's popular BIG3 league full of former NBA players is not sanctioned by FIBA, so their players won't get any points for competing there.