- Viestejä
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The Athleticissa on jännä juttu siitä, miten Steve Kerrin team USA on erilainen kuin Popovichin jengit (ei bilettämistä eikä pitkiä illallisia viineineen). Tää tattui silmään.
There is a chemistry that exists on this team that might not usually be there after just 10 (or so) days of being together. But the players on Team USA have track records with one another that extend much longer.
Much has been made of the “Villanova reunion” of Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. Also, Brunson and Hart now play for the Knicks. Bridges and Cam Johnson are not only on the Brooklyn Nets, but they BOTH were traded there from the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant in February.
Hart and Brandon Ingram played together with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.
“A lot of us have been friends in the league,” Bridges explained, “I mean, like me and Jaren (Jackson) have been close, being drafted (in the same class). Me and Ant (Anthony Edwards) always talk to each other in games. Me and BI (Ingram), just because of Josh and stuff. So, it’s all falling together, and it’s great.”
A night or two after the magician visited them, Team USA had another reception at the ARIA, this time where every player could bring a guest. A player or two hit the casinos on the Spanish coast, as did a coach here or there. The beaches of southern Spain, well, let’s just say clothing is optional. As previously mentioned in other stories, there was an annual festival in Malaga ongoing during Team USA’s stay, which meant the central city was jam packed. Every bar was bursting with customers, the fairgrounds were overrun, there were bullfights for the last three nights of the Americans’ stay, and more.
But to a large degree, Team USA’s players went to the gym and slept. Going from Las Vegas to Spain — a nine-hour time difference — isn’t the easiest on the body clock.
“I think most of our bonding has been in the gym,” Bobby Portis said. “Getting up shots, talking with guys. I think some guys have bonded off the court, you know we got a lot of Villanova guys, so those guys hang out a lot, but we’ve just been chillin’ for real.
“When you’ve got a team full of selfless guys, guys who want to sacrifice for the betterment of the team, you can’t help it but better,” Portis continued.