Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard ready for Team USA

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard may not have won the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy this season, but he hopes to bring home another type of title, and medal. A gold medal by playing on Team USA.

According to cbssports.com,

"“The players selected for the roster will report to Las Vegas on July 6 for training camp and exhibition games, before heading to Tokyo, July 23 with games beginning July 25.” The Olympics were originally postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic and are currently scheduled to take place."

Usab.com reports,

"“Lillard has not played on a Team USA Basketball Olympic game in the past, but a member of the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s National Team training camp roster that was used to select the official 12-member 2019 USA World Cup Team, however, he withdrew from consideration in July and did not attend training camp. Lillard Named a finalist for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team on Feb. 10, 2016.Named a finalist for the 2014 USA National Team on Aug. 5, 2014.Played in two exhibition games during the 2014 USA National Team Tour, recorded 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in 24 minutes of action in the USA’s 105-62 win against Dominican Republic.”"

Along with six-time All-Star Lillard, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Washington’s Bradley Beal, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant, Detroit’s Jerami Grant, Golden State’s Draymond Green, Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday and Kris Middleton, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Cleveland Cavalier and Portland native Kevin Love and Boston’s Jayson Tatum will compete for Team USA.

Lillard joins Carmelo Anthony (2016 Rio de Janeiro, 2012 London, 2008 Beijing, 2004 Athens); Shareef Abdur-Rahim (2000 Sydney); Steve Smith (2000 Sydney); Scottie Pippen (1996 Atlanta, 1992 Barcelona); Stacey Augmon (1988 Seoul); Walter Davis (1976 Montreal); Kenny Carr (1976 Montreal); Jim Brewer (1972 Munich); Darrell Imhoff (1960 Rome) and Terry Dischinger (1960 Rome)as former Trail Blazers players who have played for Team USA Basketball.

Former coaches PJ Carlesimo (1992) Barcelona) and Nate McMillan (2012 London, 2008 Beijing) former assistant coach Mike D’Antoni (2012 London, 2008 Beijing) as assistant coaches.

San Antonio’s Greg Poppovich will serve as head coach and Golden State’s Steve Kerr, former Atlanta coach, who was recently dismissed, Lloyd Pierce and Villanova coach Jay Wright as assistant coaches. Previously from 2008-2016, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who recently announced his retirement from the university was coach. Before Mike Krzyzewski, Larry Brown (2004), Rudy Tomjanovich (2000) Lenny Wilkens (1996), and the late Chuck Daly (1992) have served as head coaches for Team USA.

Could Lillard add another piece of hardware to his 2013 Rookie of the Year Award, NBA All-Rookie team, All-NBA team, six-time NBA-All-Star, NBA teammate of the year, NBA Community Cares Assist Award, by bringing home an Olympic Gold Medal from Tokyo?

If Team USA were to bring home the gold, it would be their third since 2008. His teammate Anthony has 3 golds and a bronze (Athens 2004) while participating in the Olympic basketball games.

The 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics will be broadcasted on, NBC and the networks of its parent company, NBC Universal. Lillard will not be wearing his O, but instead will wear 6 while in Tokyo.