US basketball is in the planning stages of creating a pre-Olympic bubble in Las Vegas for the U.S., Australian and Spanish teams to train and play exhibition matches before heading to Tokyo, the director said. general Jerry Colangelo an ESPN.
Since NBA players are expected to be the core of all three teams and the League playoffs are scheduled for May 22 to July 22, this concept would create an environment in which players can limit travel and possible exposure to COVID-19 before going to Japan. The U.S. team is tentatively planning to open the training camp the week of July 4, while the NBA playoffs continue.
“On paper it makes a lot of sense,” Colangelo said. “We have to be flexible.”
Spain, current World Cup champion, Has five current NBA players who have played on the national team in the past: Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Serge Ibaka, Juancho Hernangómez and Willy Hernangómez. The Australians were named to his Olympic roster this week, and he has 10 current NBA players, including Ben Simmons, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum and Matisse Thybulle.
Also in the name of flexibility, Colangelo said that USA Basketball has requested the United States Olympic Committee, el International Olympic Committee i FIBA, Who runs the Olympic basketball tournament, who change the rules about when lists should be submitted for the Games. Generally, the playoffs have to be set several weeks in advance, but with the NBA playoffs up to three days ahead of the US team. UU. Scheduled for his first Olympics, Colangelo is calling for changes.
The US team. UU. He has asked to allow changes to the roster even during the Olympics, as players can fly late and join teams, Colangelo said. He is waiting to receive news from the governing bodies on the matter.
“These are not normal times. Lists for a certain date make no sense,” Colangelo said. “What we’re looking for is flexibility to replace players and get the best players on the court. It doesn’t just apply to us, but to all countries.”
On Wednesday, the IOC released its first set of parameters for the Games, which said that athletes should not be vaccinated or quarantined on arrival, but that they should be tested before traveling and on arrival at the Games. Japan.