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Utah Jazz: 5 Reasons International Basketball Is A Good Thing

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue forward Gordon Hayward (24) dribbles the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue forward Gordon Hayward (24) dribbles the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Become Better Players 

As they say, iron sharpens iron.

When the best players in the world compete against each other for a period of time it’s only going to help their overall game.

Last summer Gordon Hayward got an opportunity to compete for a roster spot with the United States national team. Hayward participated in the mini camp and wasn’t picked to make the final roster. Even though Hayward didn’t make the cut, the training and experience that he got while playing with some of the best players in the league helped him have the best season of his entire career.

Another example is the way that Rudy Gobert broke out during the summer.

Gobert participated with the French national team and had himself an awesome summer. He battled against the top competition across the country and dominated. It was safe to say the summer helped contribute to his NBA season where he finally got a starting spot and became one of the NBA’s most fearsome defenders.

There are many other cases of players who got much better from international competition, including Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.

Next: More Exposure