A mix of injuries and concern over the Zika virus are deterring many athletes from participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Do not count Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins or Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson among those who are reluctant to play:
Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is still interested in playing for @usabasketball at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a source told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 6, 2016
Warriors guard Klay Thompson is still interested in playing for USA Basketball this summer, sources said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 6, 2016
Today, it has come to light that San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry will join John Wall, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Anthony Davis as players who will miss the Olympics due to injury. That’s a big negative for Team USA, but on the bright side, Kevin Durant is reportedly still interested in playing.
Durant playing will be massive for Team USA, and the additions of Thompson and Cousins are icing on top of the cake. Cousins is the best center in the world, at least on the offensive end. And while it’s a bummer that Curry will be sitting out, Thompson might be the NBA’s next-best shooter.
