NBA stars preferred to focus on their personal interests rather than defending the US team, which will try to win the third successive world basketball championship title, despite playing the 18th edition in China between 31-31 September.
Many American basketball stars preferred to prepare for the new season with their clubs in the professional league, so they decided to miss the national team at the World Championships. The new coach, Gregg Popovic, and assistants Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce, Djay and Wright, will have to enter the World Cup with second-tier players, following the decision of stars such as LeBron James, Kwahi Lenard, Stephen Curry, James Hardin, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Paul George, to apologize for Focus on their personal concerns, while Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry and Clay Thompson miss due to injury.
The final of the 18th edition of the World Championship will be just two weeks before the start of the training camps for the professional league clubs, which begins on 22 October.
With so many changes in this summer's free transfer season and expected heated competition, especially in the western region, where half of their clubs are favorites to try to clinch the title from the Toronto Raptors, most of the star players are trying to maintain their energy.
"I think it's the main goal behind the decision to withdraw," said basketball analyst Sam Mitchell. "80% of the star players in teams have the chance to compete for the league title. To play in the world championship there is a risk of injury."
- Of the most absent from
LeBron China World Cup
James and Kwahi
Lenard and Stephen Currie
And Kevin Durant.