Team USA as a Leaping Point

[BigKAT]

Basically I believe that in some cases participating in International competition serves to boost a player. I'll prove that by showcasing the season before and after International competition.

I'll focus on what I've seen in the full extent both in the RS and the international competition, so I'll mostly stick to the 2014 World Cup.

(Have been -seriously- watching the NBA for only about 6 seasons.)


Steph Curry 2013-2014 season - 24 PPG 8.5 APG 47%
Result- First Round Playoff Exit - Record - 51-31
*No Statistical improvement but--
Steph Curry 2014-2015 - 23.8 PPG 7.7 APG 48%
Result - Championship, MVP - Record 67 - 15


James Harden 2013- 2014 Season - 25.4 PPG 6.1 APG 4.7 RPG
Result - First round Playoff Exit - Record 54-28
*Statistical Leap
James Harden 2014-2015 - 27.4 PPG 7 APG 5.7 RPG
Result - 2nd in MVP Voting, WCF, Record 56-26 (W/ Howard)

Anthony Davis 2013- 2014 Season - 20.8 PPG 10 RPG
Result - No Playoffs
*First Playoff appearence and monster season
Anthony Davis 2014-2015 Season - 24.4 PPG 10.1 RPG
Result - Playoff 8th seed for a crappy team

Kyrie Irving - 2013-2014 Season - 20.8 PPG 6.1 APG
Result - No Playoffs
*Okay, Lebron joined him but that only makes uptick in scoring more impressive
Kyrie Irving- 2014-2015 Season - 21.8 PPG 5.2 APG
Result - NBA Finals, Two legendary games against blazers and spurs



*Noteble Mentions
D-Rose played his first full season after that
Klay Thompson career highs in points and efficency
Demar Derozen personal growth that led to ECF two seasons later.

Basically, I'm thinking that sending young guys to international competition is good, and I'm rooting for Karl Anthony Towns and Lavine(Less likely) to have stints with Team USA.