NBA All-Star Reveals Frustration on Team USA
One of the hardest parts about being in Team USA or any Olympic team is managing all of the roles of the various All-Stars on the team. Players who are number one options on their team could suddenly become bench players on Team USA. Unfortunately for Brandon Ingram, he's experiencing that frustration firsthand.
Ingram spoke to Joe Vardon from The Athletic this week where he revealed frustration with his role.
“This is totally different than what I am used to,” Ingram told Vardon. “The team is winning right now, so I can’t be selfish thinking about myself. But it’s a little frustrating right now for me, and I’m just trying to figure out ways I can be effective.”
Ingram averaged a career-high 24.7 points a game with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, but is struggling to crack minutes and points on Team USA. He averaged only 7.8 points per game during Team USA's exhibition game, and only had two points in 16 minutes of playing time against New Zealand. Despite the low playing time against New Zealand, Team USA still won by 27 points.
Team USA head coach Steve Kerr knows that Brandon Ingram has been on the unfortunate end of very limited minutes. Regardless, Kerr believes Ingram will have his moment.
"He hasn't had a lot of opportunities, but I think that'll change," Kerr said. "I think his time is coming. He's just gotta stay with it,” said USA coach Steve Kerr. “The thing I've learned with FIBA is every night belongs to someone new...I expect that to happen for B.I."
What matters more than anything is that Team USA comes out with the gold, and fortunately, Brandon Ingram is mature enough to know that.
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