LaVine’s start with U.S. men delayed by COVID protocol

Oh man, oh man. Not again.

Like Drake’s infamous bars from his “Back to Back” diss track of Meek Mill, the United States has fumbled the COVID-19 pandemic not once, but twice, in impressively rapid succession. Another roster spot on USA Basketball’s contingent of men heading to the Games is in jeopardy.

Wizards star Bradley Beal first dropped from Team USA after testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. And now Chicago’s Zach LaVine’s flight to Tokyo has been delayed after USAB announced he was put in the health and safety protocol on Monday.

“Zach LaVine has been placed under USA Basketball’s health & safety protocols & will not travel with the team to Tokyo today,” the organization clarified. “We hope that Zach will be able to join the team in Tokyo later this week.”

The Team USA men’s and women’s basketball team took off for Tokyo together on Monday. The men’s team, which had 12 spots on its roster, left with just eight players — Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton travel to Tokyo after the NBA Finals.

LaVine’s holdup is a blow to Team USA, which has now lost its two most dynamic guards after Damian Lillard. He averaged 11 points per game in the four warmup games, including 15 points in the 28-point victory over Argentina.

LaVine is a sharpshooting, uber-athletic guard with the physical tools to be a capable defender at his position. It is unclear if he will be replaced on the Olympic roster.

USAB replaced Beal with Spurs forward Keldon Johnson and replaced the injured Kevin Love (calf) with big man JaVale McGee.