In Paris, Team USA famously put together a team of ‘Avengers.’ Stephen Curry, Durant, and LeBron James, a monstrous trio headed the star-laden side. The sight of gold came to life with the richly powered roster. However, something did change about USA basketball. “I grew up in a time when we actually had to try out for USAB,” Kyrie Irving recalled after he was left off the now iconic Olympic team. This was a team when no jury would simply pick the best names, but each man on the court had to fight to be in contention for a spot at the pristine event.

Irving in particular would savor these mini-contests. The competitive juices would flow out. The best of players would indulge in one-on-one, and run captivating scrimmages. Without that degree of competing, KAI wouldn’t need to dribble past the whole USA team in his infamous clip. And the basketball wizard secured a spot through such rigorous routines thrice.

Despite his exclusion, Irving didn’t feel bitter. But being so used to the method of coming together and finding a harmonious unit, it did feel “weird” not to get that chance. Among others who missed out, Jaylen Brown took a strong stand pinning the blame on Nike. Irving too has a tense past with the Swoosh. However, not only does he refuse to speculate, but the Mavericks guard has healed.

“I can’t pinpoint it, because I don’t pay enough attention to Nike at this point or any of those guys,” he told the New York Times.

With Team USA in particular, all Irving wanted was a classic tryout. Coaches would have the chance to gauge various combinations, and the players get a rare opportunity. “There was such a great competitive pool that you can test yourself against because it’s the best in the world. It’s not every day you get a chance to go against (players of that caliber),” said the 32-year-old. Maybe the next Olympics would be a different story for him.

Kyrie Irving is motivated for the 2028 Olympics

As soon as the Paris competition concluded, the basketball world felt an era come to a close. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry will most likely not be part of the next Olympics to be held in Los Angeles. That sadness did loom, but not all the pillars have fallen. While Irving wasn’t ‘jealous’ not being a pick, the snub did fill him with the battery.

His outlook now lies four years ahead. “It was like, ‘Oh, OK, this means that there’s an extra motivation, just naturally, where, OK, I guess 2028 [is the plan]?'” he said to Sam Amick. With USAB, Kyrie Irving is a historic player. Having risen through the youth teams to being an Olympic gold medalist in 2016, KAI is itching for international basketball again.

But despite the respect he holds for his comrades, the 32-year-old did speak of the possibility of not playing for Team USA further down the road. Born in Melbourne, KAI has the option to represent the Boomers during the 2028 LA Olympics. And he is seriously giving it a thought, though there are some hesitations.

“I would love to entertain playing for Team Australia, man. I don’t think it’s a strong, strong possibility at this point, depending on what the Olympic Committee does…I don’t want to fall into the trap of being let down or disappointed when I know that there are other opportunities out there for me,” he said about playing for Australia in the future. 

Frankly, basketball fans won’t mind the representation Irving chooses. There is anticipation just to see the dexterous scorer grace the international game with his finesse once again. Will that day come? For now, Kyrie Irving has the fire to be back.