A day after Bradley Beal's shock departure from Team USA due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Kevin Love withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics due to a right calf injury. With the Olympics just around the corner, USA Basketball quickly replaced those two key players, adding San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson and veteran center JaVale McGee to the 12-man roster.
Love withdraws due to calf problem
Love spent ten days in Las Vegas with Team USA in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics but decided not to compete in the Summer Games. Love's calf problem was the main reason behind his withdrawal, saying, "you need to be at absolute peak performance to compete at the Olympic level and I am just not there yet."
Love was selected because of his experience with Team USA, having played a part in the gold medal campaign in the 2012 London Olympics. Many questioned his inclusion because of his injury-plagued 2020-21 season, where Love missed a total of 46 games.
USA Basketball men's national team managing director Jerry Colangelo paid tribute to Beal and Love in a statement, saying, "Our hearts truly break for Brad and Kevin, who did everything asked but for unfortunate and different reasons will be unable to join us in Tokyo." However, Colangelo remained confident about Team USA's chances as he welcomed Johnson and McGee to the Olympic lineup.
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Johnson and McGee replace Beal and Love
Johnson was part of the select team of young players training against Team USA. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there was "significant support" for Johnson to be included in the roster from decision-makers after his performances during the training camp and in the exhibition games.
He played a part in Team USA's last two exhibition matches, with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to a sore knee. He scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field in 13 minutes of action against Australia, which ended in a 91-83 loss for Team USA. Johnson then played 14 minutes the next game against Argentina, scoring four points and grabbing five rebounds in Team USA's 108-80 win.
Johnson's experience with Gregg Popovich's system as a member of the Spurs proved to be a major factor in his selection. The 21-year-old started 67 games for San Antonio last season, averaging 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists this past campaign. Johnson shot 47.9 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc in the 2020-21 season, making him a vital weapon in the international game.
On the other hand, McGee is a 13-year NBA veteran who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets last season. The three-time NBA champion averaged 7.3 points, and 5.2 rebounds in 46 games played last campaign. McGee's inclusion will help Team USA fortify its frontcourt that was already lacking in big man depth even before Love's withdrawal from the side.
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