Kentucky’s Anthony Davis waves to the crowd during a championship celebration at Rupp Arena Tuesday, April 3, 2012, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky’s basketball team returned home to its adoring fans Tuesday, after defeating Kansas 67-59 Monday night to win the school’s eighth NCAA college basketball championship.(AP Photo/The Lexington Herald-Leader, David Perry)
By LARRY VAUGHT
He’s just become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft and recently led Kentucky to the national championship. Yet it should be obvious to all that Anthony Davis was being very honest in April when he said that playing in the Olympics was a dream he’s always had.
He reportedly sprained his ankle last week working out for New Orleans and some speculated that would keep him from participating in Team USA’s training camp that s will determine the final 12 spots on the team going to London. He may not be able to fully participate, but Davis wants to be on the team that will be announced Saturday.
With nine players — LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler — apparently already scheduled to earn spots on the team, that leaves Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Davis competing for three spots.
If USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke are not afraid to be a bit bold, they should go ahead and save Davis a spot on the team. He’ll apparently be fully recovered in 10 days and able to train plenty before the Olympics start.
No, he’s never played in the NBA. But he was college basketball’s best player last year and could well be a fixture on the next few Olympic teams. His youthful enthusiasm could help a team loaded with veteran stars and he certainly will be a good teammate because he’ll appreciate the opportunity.
Will Davis be on the team? I think so. If Team USA officials did not want him, he would not have been invited and certainly knowing that he may not work out at all would have been adequate reason to go ahead and dismiss him from the team. But with Davis being welcomed with open arms to training camp in Las Vegas, here’s hoping coach K does the bold thing and includes Davis on the team while giving him time to get his ankle healthy.
4 Responses to Team USA should go ahead and put Anthony Davis on Olympic team, give ankle time to heal
Leave a Reply
Blue Zoom Radio Show
Polls
Loading ...Choose Your Favorite!
Seems like the smart thing to do. Get em Anthony!
This is exactly what I said a couple days ago. No need for him to try out, just put him on the team. DUH it is not a hard decision and he is headed for the camp. They listened to me. I’m going to have to start charging for my advice!
See I told you so! LOL
LindaS says:
July 2, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I think he should automatically be on that roster and not have to try out. He has more awards then all those guys but together. I really think they should just add him, they know how talented he is. Did C laettner have to try out for the dream team or did he get it by just stepping on a UK player that year?
Reply
larryvaught says:
July 3, 2012 at 9:10 am
With you Linda. Put him on team and let ankle heal
Reply
UKFMLY says:
July 3, 2012 at 10:44 am
DITTO
Reply
LindaS says:
July 4, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Looks like our boy is going to the try outs, wish him well and hope he doesn’t hurt himself any more then he is.
Reply
Larry T Clemons says:
July 5, 2012 at 10:49 am
See, everybody does listen to Linda….
Reply
LindaS says:
July 5, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Of course they do, Larry T Clemons, they know better then to not listen to me…after all, I do carry a Louavull Slugger! Besides, I know what is best, just ask Cal and Larry! LOL
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d7W1m?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=college-basketball