Lakers: Jose Calderon, Marcelo Huertas Gear Up for Rio Olympics
Lakers point guards Jose Calderon and Marcelo Huertas will be the team’s only representatives at the 2016 Olympics in Rio
Eyes were transfixed on Las Vegas just a few weeks ago to watch three young Los Angeles Lakers players in D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle practice with USA Basketball as part of the USA Select Team. Obviously the experience alone was great for the young players, but it was also wonderful to hear how complimentary some of the great coaches and players in the league were about the trio.
However, none of those players will be traveling to Rio for the 2016 Olympics to play with USA Basketball throughout August. Especially with Kobe Bryant now retired, there are now no representatives for the Lakers on Team USA.
That doesn’t mean that there won’t be Lakers players taking part in the festivities in Rio, though.
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Two Lakers point guards will be playing in the Olympics as recently acquired veteran Jose Calderon will play for Spain and second-year fan-favorite Marcelo Huertas will wear the colors of the host nation of Brazil.
Both Calderon and Huertas have been staples for their respective national teams for quite some time now as both guys are in their 30s. Even still, there will be things to look for from both players as they take the international stage.
On the part of Calderon, the Lakers can be watching to see just what he has left in the tank. Last year with the New York Knicks, Calderon’s performance was troublesome to say the least to the point that he was virtually nixed from the rotation. However, the Olympics will give him the opportunity to show he’s got something left in the tank.
For Huertas, what will be interesting to watch for is what his one-year in the NBA and with the Lakers taught him and how he applies it to playing with Brazil. Though deficient in some areas, there’s no denying that he showed growth as a rookie and it’ll be interesting to see how he applies it to his game.
Next: Ivica Zubac: Breaking Down Rookies Strengths and Weaknesses
Hopefully there will be more Lakers involved overall come the 2020 Olympics, especially with Team USA (and with Croatia for Ivica Zubac), but it’s nice to at least have some piece of the pie with international ball taking over the summer.