The WNBA players can be in for Team USA, so why not the men? And do you REALLY think the Netherlands is the best in basketball of any kind in the world? Just saying.
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Two of the four basketball tournaments are done. The traditional 5×5 tournament is still going on of course. However, the 3×3 tournament just ended yesterday. Germany won the women’s tournament while the Netherlands won the men’s.
The Netherlands, and especially those who are ethnically Dutch are very tall. However, their country is simply irrelevant in the traditional basketball world right now. That said, they have consistently been strong in 3X3 basketball over the years along with Belgium, their closest neighbor and cultural rivals. The Orange Lions (Netherlands) and the Belgian Lions were both in the Olympics in 2020, but didn’t medal. This time, while the Belgian Lions missed the Olympics, The Orange Lions went all the way without a single player who registers in most Americans’ memories. After all, their top star, Worthy de Jong did play junior college basketball in Texas at Ranger. De Jong has played really well in the Olympics, but most of you reading this from America don’t know who he is, unless you went to Ranger College or really keep a close eye on Dutch and Belgian men’s basketball.
I’m not going to elaborate more on the Dutch team because … we won’t see any of them in the NBA. And I’m not familiar with the Netherlands’ basketball development system. All I do know is that their men’s professional basketball league is combined with Belgium for a “Bene-league,” a play on words given that the two countries are in the Benelux. But again, I don’t think that one of the worst NBA teams in the league last season like the Washington Wizards is seriously considering bringing in a Dutch basketball player to bolster the rotation.
So here IS the problem. It appears that the Netherlands is bringing at least some of their truly best players to the Olympics through 3X3. Here in the United States, we aren’t seeing the world’s best talents, even TRY to be on a 3×3 team. Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation’s national team suggested that the USA should get a serious system going for 3×3. In 2028, the Olympics will be in Los Angeles, and it would be embarrassing to see Team USA not even try to be competitive in men’s 3×3, while they at least go halfway with the women.
That’s what this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey is about. Do you think the NBA should make things a bit easier for players to be on 3×3 teams? And I’ll take it a step further. Should the NBA allow for breaks so players on all countries can participate in international tournament qualifiers like the AmeriCup and EuroBasket? Let us know in the comments, and vote in the survey below!