March 2016 Basketball Wiretap

Cousins, Durant, George Led USA In Olympics PER

Aug 22, 2016 11:36 AM

DeMarcus Cousins led Team USA in PER with a mark of 26.4, slightly ahead of Kevin Durant's 25.5.

Team USA PER in 2016 Olympics
1. DeMarcus Cousins: 26.4
2. Kevin Durant: 25.5
3. Paul George: 24.8
4. DeAndre Jordan: 20.6
5. Kyrie Irving: 19.2
6. DeMar DeRozan: 18.2
7. Jimmy Butler: 17.3
8. Kyle Lowry: 17.0
9. Carmelo Anthony: 16.5
10. Klay Thompson: 11.3
*Harrison Barnes: 21.0 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)
*Draymond Green: 6.7

Team USA PER in 2012 Olympics
1. Carmelo Anthony: 41.6
2. Kevin Love: 40.0
3. Kevin Durant: 39.4
4. LeBron James: 35.9
5. Kobe Bryant: 27.4
6. Russell Westbrook: 26.4
7. Andre Iguodala: 25.9
8. Tyson Chandler: 25.5
9. Deron Williams: 24.3
10. James Harden: 23.9
11. Chris Paul: 23.0
*Anthony Davis: 28.1 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

Team USA PER in 2008 Olympics
1. Dwyane Wade: 37.5
2. LeBron James: 28.9
3. Dwight Howard: 28.4
4. Chris Bosh: 28.4
5. Chris Paul: 22.3
6. Carmelo Anthony: 20.4
7. Kobe Bryant: 19.1
8. Tayshaun Prince: 17.1
9. Deron Williams: 13.8
10. Jason Kidd: 9.3
11. Michael Redd: 5.6
* Carlos Boozer: 15.6 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

When Team USA sent a perceived B team to the World Cup in 2014, they still had four players with PERs above 30.0.

Team USA PER in 2014 FIBA World Cup
1. DeMarcus Cousins: 36.7
2. Anthony Davis: 31.6
3. Kenneth Faried: 31.0
4. James Harden: 30.2
5. Andre Drummond: 24.6
6. Kyrie Irving: 23.8
7. Klay Thompson: 22.1
8. Stephen Curry: 21.4
9. Rudy Gay: 18.7
10. DeMar DeRozan: 16.4
11. Derrick Rose: 7.3
* Mason Plumlee: 15.5 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: United States, NBA, National, National Teams

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Kevin Durant: I'm At My Best When I Don't Care If We Win Or Lose

Aug 19, 2016 12:56 PM

Kevin Durant feels like he's at his best as a player when he is more concerned with the process rather than the outcome.

“I was telling myself before I left my room that I’m at my best when I don’t care if we win or lose,” Durant said after his best game of these Olympics with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Argentina. “It might be different for other players, but for me I’m more free and more aggressive in games and it’s more fun for me if I don’t care about the outcome.”

Durant typically writes, “Have Fun” and “Smile” on his sneakers but forgot to scribble that reminder before facing Argentina.

“It’s always embedded in me, always knowing that’s why I play the game. I had fun playing as a kid, so why change it?” Durant said. “I always try to tell myself, just smile out there and have fun. My smile is contagious and my energy and enthusiasm is contagious and I try to spread that to my teammates.”

Durant is pursuing his second gold medal.

“I know if I go out there and be who I am, the outcome will dictate itself,” Durant said. “Because I know I put the work in. I love the game. I study the game. So if I go out there and let that stuff take over instead of me getting in my own way mentally, good results will come out of it. I’m not saying I don’t care about winning and losing. Obviously, I prepare the right way. I work hard and I love playing the game with my teammates, but I can’t overthink the game too much.”

Michael Lee/The Vertical

Tags: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, United States, NBA, National Teams

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LeBron James Remains Open To Playing In 2020 Olympics

Aug 17, 2016 12:10 PM

LeBron James isn't ruling out the possibility of playing for Team USA in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

"Every time I watch 'em, I wish I was out there," James said. "I did not retire from Team USA. I just did not play this summer. So I left the door open."

James announced shortly after The Finals that he wouldn't participate in the 2016 Olympics.

"I could use the rest," he told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

James will be 35 for the 2020 games.

Rachel Nichols/ESPN (via Bleacher Report)

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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George, Durant, Butler, Cousins Lead Team USA In PER

Aug 16, 2016 12:44 PM

Paul George leads Team USA in PER with a mark of 27.0 amongst players who have appeared in at least 10.0 minutes per game through the end of the group stage. Harrison Barnes has a PER of 29.5 but he's only played 9.7 minutes per game over two games.

Team USA PER in 2016 Olympics
1. Paul George: 25.8
2. Kevin Durant: 23.5
3. Jimmy Butler: 23.3
4. DeMarcus Cousins: 23.1
5. DeAndre Jordan: 20.9
6. Kyrie Irving: 20.8
7. Carmelo Anthony: 19.6
8. Kyle Lowry: 19.4
9. DeMar DeRozan: 16.2
10. Draymond Green: 11.0
11. Klay Thompson: 8.3

Unlike in this year's Olympics, every player on Team USA in 2012 had a PER of at least 23.0 with four players posting marks above 35.0.

Team USA PER in 2012 Olympics
1. Carmelo Anthony: 41.6
2. Kevin Love: 40.0
3. Kevin Durant: 39.4
4. LeBron James: 35.9
5. Kobe Bryant: 27.4
6. Russell Westbrook: 26.4
7. Andre Iguodala: 25.9
8. Tyson Chandler: 25.5
9. Deron Williams: 24.3
10. James Harden: 23.9
11. Chris Paul: 23.0
*Anthony Davis: 28.1 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

Team USA PER in 2008 Olympics
1. Dwyane Wade: 37.5
2. LeBron James: 28.9
3. Dwight Howard: 28.4
4. Chris Bosh: 28.4
5. Chris Paul: 22.3
6. Carmelo Anthony: 20.4
7. Kobe Bryant: 19.1
8. Tayshaun Prince: 17.1
9. Deron Williams: 13.8
10. Jason Kidd: 9.3
11. Michael Redd: 5.6
* Carlos Boozer: 15.6 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

When Team USA sent a perceived B team to the World Cup in 2014, they still had four players with PERs above 30.0.

Team USA PER in 2014 FIBA World Cup
1. DeMarcus Cousins: 36.7
2. Anthony Davis: 31.6
3. Kenneth Faried: 31.0
4. James Harden: 30.2
5. Andre Drummond: 24.6
6. Kyrie Irving: 23.8
7. Klay Thompson: 22.1
8. Stephen Curry: 21.4
9. Rudy Gay: 18.7
10. DeMar DeRozan: 16.4
11. Derrick Rose: 7.3
* Mason Plumlee: 15.5 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

On an individual PER level, Team USA in 2016 most closely resembles the 2004 team that had to settle for Bronze.

Team USA PER in 2004 Olympics
1. Shawn Marion: 26.1
2. Tim Duncan: 26.0
3. Lamar Odom: 23.5
4. LeBron James: 19.9
5. Allen Iverson: 17.1
6. Stephon Marbury: 14.2
7. Dwyane Wade: 13.7
8. Richard Jefferson: 8.1
* Carlos Boozer: 23.7 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)
* Amar'e Stoudemire: 19.0 (fewer than 10 minutes per game)

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Paul George: USA Can't Keep Playing Like This

Aug 13, 2016 12:02 PM

The United States defeated Serbia by a final score of just 94-91 one game after also being seriously challenged by Australia.

“I don't know if two years ago was easy,” Kyrie Irving recalled. “It’s just – we’ve just got to find our rhythm. And once we do that, we’ll be all right.”

The United States' defense has been challenged by both Australia and Serbia.

“As good as we are, we can’t continue to keep playing like this,” Paul George said. “We’re still scoring 100 points taking one-on-five shots, but we’re too good for that. The toughest part is that each and every one of us is confident with the ball in our hands that we can make those shots. It just comes down to a trust factor, not letting one guy have that feeling that he has to do it alone."

Sam Amick/USA Today

Tags: United States, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Australia Planned On Resting Starters, Using Only Half Of Playbook Against USA

Aug 11, 2016 11:30 AM

Australia coach Andrej Lemanis was prepared to limit his starters' minutes in the second half while also using only half of his playbook during their group stage game against the United States.

With a possible rematch with a medal at stake, there would be a competitive advantage in not showing the United States too much.

But Australia kept the game within single-digits into the final quarter with the United States winning 98-88. Australia actually had a 54-49 lead over Team USA at halftime.

The United States have won 71 straight games, last losing against Greece in the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: United States, Australia, National, National Teams

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