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Jrue Holiday is anticipated to be a part of the 2024 Olympic team following his pivotal role as a player during the Tokyo Olympics. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the official Tokyo games were held in 2021.
The USA Men's Basketball team is aiming for redemption following a disappointing 4th place in the FIBA World Cup. Despite being ranked no.1 by FIBA globally, the team suffered defeats against Germany and Canada. Shams Charania, an NBA insider for The Athletic, reports that Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker are anticipated to be among the 12 core members of the forthcoming Olympic team.
Holiday, 33 was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Boston Celtics in a surprising move following the Damian Lillard trade. Renowned as one of the premier two-way players in basketball, Holiday excels as an elite perimeter defender and has been integral to the Celtics' success this season.
Across 53 games, the guard has maintained averages of 13 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Impressively, Holiday ranks 9th overall in three-point shooting with a 44.3 percent success rate, having made 108 shots from beyond the arc this season. Notably, he leads the NBA with an outstanding 63% accuracy rate from corner threes.
With 15 years of experience in the NBA and a championship title under his belt, Holiday has established himself as a seasoned veteran. He was a key figure in the 2020 Olympic team, contributing significantly to their gold medal triumph in Tokyo. Throughout the six matchups, spanning the group phase, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, Holiday maintained averages of 11.9 points, 3.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 4.8 rebounds.
Jrue Holiday played a pivotal role on the Tokyo Gold Medal-winning roster
JRUE HOLIDAY
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) August 7, 2021
One of the most valuable players on the Bucks & Team USA pic.twitter.com/Kyoz1bV0Yl
His shooting prowess was evident, with a commendable 48.8% accuracy from the floor, with 55% of his shots being two-pointers. This impressive performance solidified his status as an Olympic gold medalist. A vital part of the 2020 squad, Holiday excelled as a reliable contributor on offense and defense, making crucial defensive stops during matchups.
Amongst a roster brimming with stars, Holiday stood out by finishing third in both scoring and rebounds, while also leading in assists. Hypothetically, if Boston were to embark on a serious championship pursuit and reach the Finals, Holiday would seamlessly transition into Olympic preparation and practice immediately thereafter.
With his exceptional playmaking skills and basketball IQ, Holiday is among the first players to commit to the 2024 Paris USA Olympic team.
Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday were both core members of the Tokyo USA Olympic team
Devin Booker is a problem #ballislife pic.twitter.com/DAIwqtljs5
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) July 28, 2018
Although the USA men's basketball roster is not finalized, Devin Booker seems to be the second player committed to participating in the Olympics, as reported by The Athletic.
In his ninth season, all with the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker is averaging 27.5 points, a career-high 7.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. With Bradley Beal sidelined for much of the season, Booker has assumed additional responsibilities alongside Kevin Durant. He's shooting a career-high 49.6 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Appearing in 48 games this season, Booker has been a cornerstone of the Suns team, which currently holds the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 34-24. Known for his elite mid-range jumpers, Booker has been a core member in the team's resurgence over the last couple of years. Similar to Holiday, Booker was a member of the 2020 Tokyo USA Olympic team and is a gold medalist.
Participating in all six games of the 2020 Olympics, Booker ranked 5th in points with 9.3 per game. Additionally, the guard finished second on the team in steals per game (1.5) and averaged 20.6 minutes per game. Booker is a seasoned veteran known for his exceptional versatility and elite scoring ability on the offensive end of the court.
Team USA is the reigning four-time Olympic gold medalist in men’s basketball
The USA Men's Basketball team boasts an unblemished record in the Olympics over the past 16 years. During this remarkable streak, the team has secured gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
As training camp commences in July, emerging news will reveal the members of the 12-man roster for Team USA. Taking into account factors such as health and prior commitments, Team USA initially released a list of 41 players who could serve as replacements if needed.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics are scheduled to kick off in late July, the USA Men's National Team will be under the guidance of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Additional details regarding both the Men's and Women's Olympic teams will be disseminated as the event draws nearer.
RELATED: USA WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM HOLDS MINI CAMP IN BROOKLYN
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets.?She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the?University?of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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Damian Lillard spent his entire career with Portland
The saga between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers finally came to an end this week. In July, Lillard, 33, had requested a trade from Portland, an organization he spent eleven seasons with. Throughout his tenure, Lillard led the Trail Blazers to the playoffs eight times, resulting in zero NBA Championships. In several playoffs runs, Portland made it to the Western Conference Semifinals three times and had one appearance in the Western Conference Finals against Golden State.
Loyal to Portland, Lillard had a career average of 25.5 points, 1 steal, 6.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. No. 0 is Portland's all-time leader in Points (19,376), Offensive Win Shares (86.8), Three-Point Field Goals (2,387), Three-Point Field Goal Attempts (6,410), Free-Throw Attempts (4,946), Free-Throws (4,427), and Player Efficiency Rating (22.5).
Lillard failed to win a Championship in Portland
After finishing 33-49, the Trail Blazers finished near last in the Western Conference. Since the hire of head coach Chauncey Billips, Portland hasn't made a trip to the playoffs since the 2020-2021 season. After a disappointing finish, the franchise earned the third overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Despite Lillard vocalizing his preference to play with other stars on numerous occasions, the Trail Blazers opted to retain the third pick. With a crowded backcourt, consisting of Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe, the organization drafted guard Scoot Henderson, from G-League Ignite. It was apparent Henderson was selected as the heir to Damian Lillard.
No. 0 gave Portland and General Manager Joe Cronin every opportunity to improve and build a championship roster. Besides Henderson, Portland reached a contract with Jerami Grant for $160 Million over five years. Less than ten days later, Lillard requested a trade. In his time in Portland, Lillard was a 7x NBA All-Star, the 2012-2013 Rookie of the Year, and was named a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary team. Last season, the point guard averaged a career-high in points per game (32.2).
Lillard to the Heat?
In an initial call regarding Damian Lillard, the Blazers asked the Heat for Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo, sources tell @ShamsCharania and @sam_amick.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 28, 2023
Miami believed Portland had little to no interest in engaging in a deal with them.
More: https://t.co/SebivnL1IP pic.twitter.com/NFjpO4hsJ7
Damien Lillard had one destination in mind, and that was the Miami Heat. While that was his preference, Cronin made it known he would only trade Lillard for the right package, which included pursuing a Regardless of his wishes, the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks couldn't strike a deal. In fact, Lillard was on the brink of facing discipline after his agent warned several NBA teams about the star's preferable landing place. According to Shams Charania of the Athletic, Miami was inclined to make an offer this summer.
“For their part, league sources say the Heat were prepared in July and August to offer up to three first-round draft picks — with Tyler Herro going to a third team — and multiple second-rounders and swaps along with expiring contracts and 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovi?. But the Blazers were disinterested, with each side developing a level of contentiousness. (Shams Charania, the Athletic).
As the months went on, trade talks became more and more stagnant. At one point, Lillard considered a return back home. Per reports, Joe Cronin had every intention of moving Dame [Lillard]. Though we will never know the true story behind the negotiations, Damian Lillard made one aspect clear, his relationship with the Trail Blazers front office had tarnished. Once he was traded, No. 0 put out a bold statement via X:
"The casuals won't be addressed, but the Trail Blazers fans and city of Portland that I love truly will be... and they will be addressed truthfully. Stay tuned. Excited for my next chapter! " @Bucks
Milwaukee trades for Lillard
Milwaukee... IT'S DAME TIME!
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 28, 2023#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/xPR2uL6Q4n
With less than a week before the start of training camp, many wondered the status of Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. With several rumors that swirled for months, the Bucks were the "secret" team to land the star in the East. On Wednesday, Damian Lillard was shipped to Milwaukee as part of a three-team trade with the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers. In return, Portland received Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara from the Suns, Jrue Holiday from the Bucks, and a 2029 first-round pick from Milwaukee. Additionally, they will receive two first-round pick swaps with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030.
Phoenix received Grayson Allen from Milwaukee, along with Keon Johnson, Nassir Little, and Jusuf Nurkic, all from the Blazers. Lillard now joins one of the best players in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo who both welcome championship expectations. The guard joins an organization, who most recently won an NBA Championship in 2021.
Milwaukee welcomes Lillard with open arms
Welcome to the 4⃣1⃣4⃣#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/2lqAhA6u2J
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 1, 2023
On Monday, thousands of Bucks fans gathered outside the stadium for Lillards welcome rally. "It's Dame Time, Milwaukee!" was seen on billboards no less than three days after the trade news. The newest Bucks member was seen with his two children, sporting a green sports outfit.
Monday was Media Day, and Lillard expressed his thoughts on the trade, and becoming the newest addition in Milwaukee. He stated things are "new" with transition, and it "has been a great experience."
"The way that my family and I were embraced when we got here, to feel wanted, and to feel desired, and to feel something fresh and new-- it's definitely been a boost of energy and focus, and my excitement going into this season, " said Lillard.
Lillard expressed his excitement over the pairing with the 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have arguably the greatest duo since the Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar days.
"I don't think its a secret how much I want to win," Lillard said in his presser. "That's how I got here today. They want to win equally as bad as I do. I couldn't be more excited, I couldn't be more thankful for this opportunity to be a part of this organization. "
Lillard mentioned the hospitality the Bucks showed his family was great, and the welcoming was something he "really appreciated." Lillard stated his arrival in Milwaukee has been chill, and could "tell it was a family environment right away." He mentioned being embraced made him feel wanted, and his family is getting "comfortable."
Bucks, Celtics are equally viewed as potential Champions
The Milwaukee Bucks became the immediate favorites to win the NBA title after the trade at +450. Then, there was a another twist in the story. The Portland Trail Blazers immediately flipped Jrue Holiday and struck a deal with the Boston Celtics. In a shocking move, the Celtics acquired Holiday in exchange for Robert Williams III, Malcom Brogdon, and two future first-round picks. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are now equally favored at +400 odds to win a title. Prior to the acquisitions, Boston were the heavy favorites in the Eastern Conference.
The impact of Lillard on the Bucks Franchise
Milwaukee Bucks acquire seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection and NBA 75th Anniversary Team member Damian Lillard.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 28, 2023: https://t.co/UW5WDDCq0H pic.twitter.com/0DXHxd0E3q
The Milwaukee Bucks are two years removed from an NBA Championship, and were always considered a favorable team in the East. The addition of Lillard ascends them into a superteam, and immediately gives both sides a chance to win. After the elimination against Miami last season, Milwaukee finally found their missing chest piece. The pairing of the two super stars creates the opportunity to be one of the best pick and roll duos in the league.
"I'm a pick and roll player, I've played a lot of pick and roll in my career. When I think about playing with him [Giannis], I've just tried to figure out, how do you defend it," said Lillard. He pointed out that he's "excited" to play with Giannis, and "never had an opportunity like this before."
Besides Giannis, No. 0 joins a talented core, which consists of Khris Middletown, Brook Lopez, Malik Beasley, and Bobby Portis. "When I looked at the roster, it was very easy to make sense of what my job is going to be," said Lillard on Media Day.
Although there is substantial amount of talent on the floor, the point guard knows chemistry has to be established alongside the hype. Always the underdog throughout his career, Lillard admits he's done more "underachieving rather than overachieving." He's excited for this opportunity, and "at my age and this stage in my career, I think it came at the right time," said Dame. Despite the fact Giannis and Lillard look great on paper, he admits "the work has to get done."
Lillard implied his defense has improved over the years, and coming into a "defensive minded team," makes it that much easier.
Jrue Holiday bolsters the Celtics backcourt
The Holiday season came early this year
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 1, 2023
Welcome to Boston, @Jrue_Holiday11 pic.twitter.com/yxbR1cWmnA
Celtics executive Brad Stevens learned from the best, Danny Ainge. Once Jrue Holiday was traded from Milwaukee, several reports indicated the Blazers would move on from the guard. It's been a whirlwind of an offseason for Boston, who traded Marcus Smart in the exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. With Derrick White set as the teams starting point guard, questions lingered around Malcom Brogdon, and his relationship with the organization. Due to injury concerns, Boston was unable to trade Brogdon over the summer.
Holiday joins the Celtics organization as a 2x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team, and an NBA champion. On Celtics Media Day, Brad Steven expressed the Celtics are trying to win a championship, and talked about paying a "real price" for pristine players.
Jaylen Brown describes Holiday as "as assassin," and will replace the defensive intensity that the C's lost with Marcus Smart. Known for his defensive prowess, Holiday will join White in a ferocious backcourt. Although Boston is thin at the front court, the addition of Jrue is vital to a potential championship run. No 4. joins a championship caliber team as a player who averaged almost eight assists last season, number's the Celtics haven't seen since the Rajon Rondo Days. Holiday joins a loaded roster, which includes Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Derrick White.
Defeated by the Miami Heat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics made a much needed upgrade at the point guard position.
Both Milwaukee and Boston are the clear favorites in the East, after making individuals moves to improve their chances of winning the title. Unable to get over the hump, both teams feel their acquired players will help reach their championship goals.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and a Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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