Paris (AFP)

The United States will be the big favorites at the Tokyo Games, but nine days to start the tournament against France, the setbacks accumulate between the forfeits of Bradley Beal and Kevin Love, specter of a Covid-19 epidemic and defeats betraying a laborious start-up.

The last 48 hours have been difficult for 'Team USA' and its coach Gregg Popovich, who did not have much time to be satisfied with the good reaction (108-80) of his team against Argentina, after two setbacks initials against Nigeria (90-87) and Australia (91-83) in friendlies played in Las Vegas.

Because immediately after, his titular point guard Bradley Beal, second best scorer of the regular season in the NBA with the Washington Wizards and as such one of the leaders of attack of a group which certainly does not lack, had to declare package for the Olympics after being placed in the Covid protocol.

And to add to the concern and the puzzle, the defensive winger of the Detroit Pistons, Jerami Grant was also placed "as a precaution" in Covid protocol, certainly without this for the time being calling into question his participation in the Olympics.

Although the American Federation did not say if Beal contracted the virus or if he is in contact, this news soon posed a great threat to all of 'Team USA', with an epidemic potentially potentially to have declared in its ranks.

- Unmasked Popovich and Beal -

Because Beal has played all three friendlies.

And he participated in the post-match press conference against Argentina - during which he distinguished himself (17 pts) -, unmasked alongside Popovich, 72, who was not more. ..

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"I cry for him. Like all of us. Since he was little, the Olympics have been a dream for him. He played very well, he had fun, he played an important role in our cohesion. So for him. and his close family, it's devastating. We feel really bad ", was moved by 'coach Pop'.

Sign that the concern is great, in accordance with "health and safety protocols", the 4th preparatory match scheduled for Friday against Australia has been canceled.

On the other hand, the American Federation maintained the last scheduled Sunday against Spain, on the eve of the departure for Tokyo.

A final test that will be played without Kevin Love.

Because a blow of the hammer does not arrive alone, the interior of the Cleveland Cavaliers announced its forfeit for the Games, considering itself insufficiently recovered from an injury to the right calf.

"I'm incredibly disappointed not to go to Tokyo with + Team USA +, but you need to be in top form to compete in the Olympics and I'm just not there," he said. Explain.

- Limited rotation -

His presence among the twelve selected players had surprised, at the end of one of his worst seasons, with only 25 games played.

But Popovich said the pivot winger was "the perfect player to counter guys like Rudy Gobert".

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So there he is deprived of this type of player, 'Team USA' already sorely lacking in size on the inside, and one of his major offensive weapons as far as Beal is concerned.

Engaged in a race against the clock to find two substitutes, he has, according to ESPN and The Athletic, summoned pivot JaVale McGee (Denver) and winger Keldon Johnson (San Antonio), two players who do not have the stature of the two substitutes.

The latter was one of the players who served as a training partner for 'Team USA' and is directly operational, unlike the first, so far on vacation and who will join the squad on Saturday.

McGee will therefore have to hang up the cars, just like Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) currently engaged in an indecisive NBA final, with two wins everywhere and which will end no earlier than July 20 or at the earliest. later on the 22nd (possible 7th match), ie three days before the entry into contention of 'Team USA' against France.

Nine days to face the Blues, for a revenge for the disappointment suffered in the quarterfinals of the 2019 World Cup, 'Team USA' could therefore well have to do with a rotation limited to eight or nine players.

Hoping that the damage will stop.

© 2021 AFP