Which Miami Heat players deserve a Team USA nod?
A week before the 2018 NBA playoffs began, the US Men’s Basketball team made an announcement.
35 players were selected to join the roster for the 2018-20 run, chosen by members of USA Basketball committees. Among the selectors are Jerry Colangelo, who began his Team USA tenure 13 years ago, in 2005.
Of course, the Miami Heat were represented in the national team about as well as they are during the nationally televised regular season games. Though 20 NBA teams were represented, none of the chosen players hail from the Heat.
Taken six degrees from the Heat as a whole, LeBron James is the only current roster member with ties to Miami. Completely new to the program this year are a quintuple of players: Devin Booker, Isaiah Thomas, Khris Middleton, Myles Turner and CJ McCollum.
Miami’s absence from the team is puzzling.
Despite earning league favor this season with a number of breakout players, none of their names populate the list. Josh Richardson earned NBA All-Defense nods while Wayne Ellington tossed home a record number of 3s.
However, the Heat aren’t without total representation. Dan Craig, who serves as an assistant coach for Miami, earned a spot to coach Team USA.
"“DC is so deserving of it,” said Spoelstra of Craig during the Las Vegas Summer League. ““He’s going to do a terrific job. It says a lot about him that he was chosen for it. Not that he cares, but it will help his profile around the league as well.”"
Though a huge success for Craig and Miami, Heat fans will have little to cheer for on the court when the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games roll around.
Who among Miami’s player ranks could have, should have, made the cut? Here’s a look at three potential names.