2024 NBA All-Star Believes He Deserved Spot in Paris Olympics

This past summer, Team USA earned the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics Additionally, this marked the fifth consecutive time Team USA won gold at the Olympics. The roster for Team USA this time around was very intriguing. There were obvious players involved who may have just had their final Olympics run, like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Furthermore, Team USA featured many stars who should be back in 2028, such as Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker. Looking at the roster, it is tough to say there were players who did not deserve a spot on the team. However, this also opens the door up for players who should have made it but did not. Most notably, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson did not make the team this time around, even though he feels he deserved it.

In a recent interview with GQ, Brunson spoke about being snubbed from the Olympics. Though he admitted he felt he deserved a roster spot, the Knicks star also revealed that he hopes to be a part of the team in 2028.

“The way I played last year, I thought I was deserving. I thought I could have fit in. I’ve played many roles throughout my career; I could play another. But obviously, it just wasn’t in the cards at that time. And so, you move on and you find ways to get better. You keep having goals, and that’s a goal of mine. I want to play next time.”

2024 NBA All-Star Believes He Deserved Spot in Paris Olympics

The Case for Jalen Brunson On Team USA

Since joining the Knicks, Brunson has elevated his game to another level. In two seasons with the team, he is averaging 26.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. Additionally, he earned MVP votes in each of the last two seasons, finishing in fifth place for the 2023-24 season. Brunson is one of the best guards in the league. Furthermore, at 28 years old, he should remain elite for at least the foreseeable future.

When looking at Team USA’s roster, there are two main players fans feel did not deserve a spot over Brunson. Those two are Boston Celtics guard Derrick White and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. In theory, this is a fair argument. Brunson is better than White and arguably Haliburton. However, White’s defense and Haliburton’s playmaking made them better fits on the Olympic roster.

Regardless, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Villanova alum is seemingly a lock to make Team USA’s roster in 2028.

The Last Word On Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks

The 2024 Paris Olympics have come and gone, but the 2024-25 NBA campaign has yet to begin. Heading into the season, Brunson’s Knicks are considered one of the best teams in the NBA. Last season, they finished with a 50-32 record. Additionally, they earned the No. 2 seed. Despite losing in the second round to the Pacers, the Knicks had an impressive season. And, based on their moves from this offseason, they are looking to capitalize on their championship window.

This summer, the Knicks landed Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. More recently, they acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both of these moves shook the basketball world. It is unclear exactly how each of them will fit in New York. However, on paper, there are few teams in the league clearly better than the Knicks.