USA Basketball hopes that the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics will take place roughly the same time next year as they were originally planned for this year.
Otherwise, the situation, which is already complicated, could become even more challenging for coaches and players.
> IOC officially postpones Tokyo Olympics
Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, announced on Tuesday that he has “hit the pause button” on preparations for the next Olympics. He stated that the only thing left to do now is to await the exact dates of the Tokyo games in 2021 and see whether there will be a scheduling conflict with the NBA.
“It’s pretty simple, isn’t it? We either have NBA players or we don’t,” Colangelo told The Associated Press. “And if we don’t, we’ll look at the other options.”
Currently, Colangelo is dedicated to maintaining his position until 2021. The coaching staff is also committed, with U.S. coach Gregg Popovich from the San Antonio Spurs leading the team. Assisting him are Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors, Lloyd Pierce from the Atlanta Hawks, and Jay Wright from Villanova.
However, that all depends on the schedule.
This summer’s Olympics were to begin July 24, which typically is part of the NBA offseason. When the International Olympic Committee announced the postponement of this summer’s games on Tuesday, a decision made because of the global coronavirus pandemic, it said the delay would last “no more than one year.”
The phrasing implies a potential for an earlier-than-normal Olympics. Should the Tokyo Games take place in April, May, or June, it could significantly alter the U.S.’s plans.
Colangelo expressed optimism that the event will occur in the same timeframe next summer as originally planned for this summer. He mentioned that numerous factors, beyond their control, need to align. They’re dependent on decisions from the NBA, FIBA, the USOC, the International Olympic Committee, and others. The main question they’re waiting to be answered is the final dates. Once those are confirmed, they will spring into action.
USA Basketball had plans to select the 12-man roster for the Tokyo Olympics in June from a pool of 44 players. If the schedule allows for NBA players to participate in 2021, it is highly likely that most or all of these players will be considered for the roster next year.
“Colangelo stated, “These times are quite unusual. When the bell rings, we’ll prepare ourselves.”
