Many people raised some eyebrows when Rajon Rondo did not play in Team USA's one-point exhibition win over Spain, wondering whether he was somehow on the bubble despite starring in the team's exhibition match against France in New York. As it turns out, he was indeed on the bubble.
Team USA Roster Finalized After Rajon Rondo Withdraws
USABB’s Colangelo said Rondo withdrew since he had “some family matters to attend to and some things to take care of before the NBA season.”
Colangelo elaborated in a Team USA press release:
“Rajon came to us and said he was going to withdraw from the team, that he had some family matters to attend to and some things to take care of before the NBA season. He did an outstanding job during our training, we appreciate the effort and commitment he made to our program and he completely has our support,” said Colangelo.
Of course, it's possible the "family matters" could be a cover-up to him getting cut. He did not play against Spain and sat out the entire second half against Lithuania, a game the squad pulled away to win in the second half. If that's the case, it wouldn't be the first time. Back in 2006, Team USA said Gilbert Arenas had a "sore groin," when in reality they had cut him.
Either way, Team USA's roster is now finalized. Here it is, via the USA Basketball web site:
Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder);Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers);Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Kevin Love(Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).
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