You can't confirm player availability a year out.

I think Lebron is unlikely but his move to LA increased the chances, since with Cleveland he would probably have played more games and minutes.

When do they have to name the team? If upcoming free agents have to confirm availability before signing contracts, that would rule out a few big names.

If they take 12 of: Barnes, Beal, Booker, Conley, DeRozan, Drummond, Gordon, Griffin, Harris, Jordan, Love, Lowry, McCollum, Middleton, Thomas and Turner, I think they would drop a game to the Boomers. They'd probably still go into the World Cup as favourites, but you'd take the field for the first time in a long time.

However, I think we see at least Davis, Westbrook, Oladipo, Wall and Lillard (not free agents, don't have crazy playoff workloads year after year). And that's probably enough for them to win it.

Anyone know how to go about getting tickets to the actual World Cup? Was deadset on going to the Vic games, but I have a mate living in Beijing I can stay with so may as well go to the big dance, prob work out cheaper too from Perth...

Thats what it comes down too I guess, going to all the Boomers games and missing out on a US game, or seeing an average US lineup come to Oz and pay ridiculous prices for it...if it's ballot based, I guess I get an equal chance (albeit millions of chinese) of snagging at least 1 USA game.

I'd argue that a couple of the super-duper stars would prob rest or go wait in China to be honest. Still would be getting a fairly decent team.

My Dream team to pay that money for would be:

Harrison Barnes Dallas Mavericks
Mike Conley Jr. Memphis Grizzlies
Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons
Eric Gordon Houston Rockets
Draymond Green Golden State Warriors
Tobias Harris Los Angeles Clippers
DeAndre Jordan Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Love Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors
C. J. McCollum Portland Trail Blazers
Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks
Victor Oladipo Indiana Pacers
Isaiah Thomas Denver Nuggets
Myles Turner Indiana Pacers
Kemba Walker Charlotte Hornets

Decided I'm going to get tickets to the Oz games anyway, and if I can get tickets to the Beijing games then I'll sell my Oz tickets.

Remember that Popovich is the coach now who all the players respect. I think the team will have not many opt outs.

It's not like players didn't respect Coach K - in fact a lot of Duke's success with one and dones comes from his pitch of having a great relationship with NBA superstars from the Team USA gig.

Players opt out because the super teams have meant that an assortment of the top tier guys have been playing 100-game NBA seasons for 3, 4, 5 years in a row and they can't afford to play a full summer of basketball as well. This is why I think Lebron and the Warriors guys are unlikely. But China is the x-factor that can't be accounted for, because there's no precedent as to what earning potential will be available to players who choose to participate and are selected.

Yes but Coach Pop even more so than Coach K due to being in the NBA.

Yes, China is the X-factor. I expect most to make it down here due to the hosts.

VISA Checkout not letting me buy tickets? It's the only way to pay?? ahhh

This VISA pre-sale was absolute BS...

Anyone have any luck with Visa checkout pre sale? Error keeps occurring

Ticket master is pathetic! I've been trying to buy tickets since the pre sale open and it keeps coming up with errors after seats are selected.