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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 70472
Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject: U.S. to skip basketball tryouts, name team before camp |
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ESPN: So much for the training camp competition for the final spots on the Olympic team. The United States will pick its squad without a tryout.
The Americans have changed their plans and will select the 12 players headed to Beijing before they report to Las Vegas later this month. Originally, the team was to have potentially 16 players in camp and cut down to 12 on June 30.
"The staff really is more interested in getting down so that they can get to work in terms of preparation. We have switched our thinking," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
"Our plan is to go ahead and announce our team sometime before we get to Las Vegas."
Colangelo said the announcement likely would come after the NBA Finals end. The Americans are to begin workouts on the UNLV campus June 28.
There are more than 30 players in the national team program, but Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski are down to about their top 14. They will decide on the final two spots, probably at point guard and power forward, in the coming days.
With the team's minicamp expected to last only two days, Krzyzewski told Colangelo there wasn't enough time to make cuts, and asked to bring in just the Beijing-bound players so they could focus on the summer ahead.
"That's basically a plan rather than a tryout of 16 or 15 or whatever the number might have been. We've got a pretty good handle on the 13, 14 names, and it's more about preparation," Colangelo said. "They want to get on with it."
Colangelo will get to work on one decision shortly, flying to Chicago to check on Dwyane Wade, who has been working out after missing the final 21 games this season because of chronic soreness in his surgically repaired left knee. Wade likely will get a spot if he's healthy, but Colangelo wants to get a "real read" on the Heat guard's rehab.
While there, Colangelo also will get a look at Chris Paul, one of the players on the bubble, whom Wade has invited to work out with him. The New Orleans point guard, runner-up to Kobe Bryant in the MVP voting, might have to beat out Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, and perhaps Wade for a spot.
There could be an opening in the frontcourt, where Amare Stoudemire might have talked himself off the team. The Phoenix Suns star said after his season ended that he needed to see how his body felt before deciding to play, and his indecision seems to have created some doubt in Colangelo's mind.
"Amare still may or may not be under consideration," Colangelo said. "We have decisions to make relative to Amare, and that works both ways."
Toronto's Chris Bosh, who played in the 2006 world championships but was injured last summer, and Utah's Carlos Boozer are the leading candidates to claim a forward spot.
Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Dwight Howard were the starters last year when the Americans went undefeated in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Stoudemire, Billups, Williams, Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler and Mike Miller also were on the team.
The deadline to submit the Olympic roster is July 1. The Americans will return to Las Vegas in mid-July to train and play an exhibition game against Canada before departing for China. They face the host Chinese in their Beijing opener on Aug. 10. |
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gill
Joined: 03 May 2004
Posts: 12470
Location: Middle of Nowhere, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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They should pick Pierce and his wheelchair to guarantee a gold statue for best...
oh sorry... you meant gold "MEDALS" in the Olympics...
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Ni9ne
Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 210
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. C.Paul
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Lord Johnny
Clublakers Rep: Puerto Rico
Joined: 12 Dec 2003
Posts: 12250
Location: Official Megan Fox Stalker
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Ni9ne wrote: |
C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. D.Williams
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Iceberg Slim
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Posts: 3309
Location: New York State of Mind
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:22 am Post subject: |
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Chris Paul on the bubble?  He should be the 1st pick for point guard, no questions asked. In the second half of the season (including the playoffs), what player was better than him outside Kobe Bryant, let alone point gaurds?
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Radner
Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 11392
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:00 am Post subject: |
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As long as Miller and Redd make the team, I'll be happy. If Wade takes one of their spots, I'll be piss.
| Iceberg Slim wrote: |
| Chris Paul on the bubble? He should be the 1st pick for point guard, no questions asked. In the second half of the season (including the playoffs), what player was better than him outside Kobe Bryant, let alone point gaurds? |
I agree. The only way Paul doesn't end up on the team is by his own will.
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extreme
ClubLakers Rep: Belgium
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Posts: 3624
Location: Ypres, Belgium
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| Lord Johnny wrote: |
| Ni9ne wrote: |
C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. D.Williams
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I second that!
Difficult to decide Williams or Paul. I'm going with Deron here
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jellyroll49
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 3579
Location: watching you swing on my nuts like tarzan
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:53 am Post subject: |
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its a good thing im not picking the team cuz id leave kobe off, as much as i wanna see him get us gold. the fact of the matter is, kobe needs surgery on that pinkey. i dont wanna see him play more ball and go into next year drained. and did we forget about the groin tear from earlier this year? this has been a long and grueling year for kobe, but because of his pride and commitment, hes gonna ball til he falls.
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| "It's not even close," says one Western Conference scout. "The difference between Kobe and LeBron is like [the one between] a Maserati and a Volvo." |
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theinsanity
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 903
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:18 am Post subject: |
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| Love Chris Paul, but I'll take Williams over him on the US team. He's a better defender and shooter without giving up too much in the passing department. Paul is the better franchise player who you can run your offense through, but on a team with guys like Lebron and Kobe, I think Deron is the better fit. |
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abeer3
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 4576
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| paul needs to be on and wade off. wade's game is a poor fit internationally (they don't have nba refs). |
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TIME
Joined: 09 Jun 2005
Posts: 1708
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:03 am Post subject: |
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| abeer3 wrote: |
| paul needs to be on and wade off. wade's game is a poor fit internationally (they don't have nba refs). |
Wade has no outside shot which is big in the Olympics.
It would be a shame if either Chris Paul or Deron Williams were left off the team.
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gcclaker
Joined: 05 May 2006
Posts: 3696
Location: Laker Cyber Space
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: Try this? |
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I guess Gilbert Arenas would not have to worry about being used as a "practice" player. That and not having any target coaches for motivation for cutting him next season. LOL!
 
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Booster
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 940
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Ni9ne wrote: |
C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. C.Paul
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Bosh? Nah, he's certainly not the best PF we could get. I'd even take Amare over him.
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Klewfish
ClubNetsHoops.com Administrator
Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 7378
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Booster wrote: |
| Ni9ne wrote: |
C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. C.Paul
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Bosh? Nah, he's certainly not the best PF we could get. I'd even take Amare over him. |
He did very well in the international game. Tough and quick is hard to defend.
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jimbo327
Joined: 05 Aug 2003
Posts: 10272
Location: Where Else?
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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I wonder why they would even need Wade. He's coming off of an injury, and a terrible season. And on the other hand, we have CP3, the runner up MVP candidate and probably the best PG in the league today.
Ummm...I hope Wade sits his butt at home and watches his own T-Mobile and G2 commercials during the Olympics. I'm sure his sponsors are working overtime to get Wade on the team though.
We need shooters, not Wade. |
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whatisit
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 488
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Klewfish wrote: |
| Booster wrote: |
| Ni9ne wrote: |
C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. C.Paul
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Bosh? Nah, he's certainly not the best PF we could get. I'd even take Amare over him. |
He did very well in the international game. Tough and quick is hard to defend. |
and he can hit the international 3 pointer most likely. but why leave melo off teh lineup? he dominates these tournaments. |
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OCHO
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 946
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| jimbo327 wrote: |
I wonder why they would even need Wade. He's coming off of an injury, and a terrible season. And on the other hand, we have CP3, the runner up MVP candidate and probably the best PG in the league today.
Ummm...I hope Wade sits his butt at home and watches his own T-Mobile and G2 commercials during the Olympics. I'm sure his sponsors are working overtime to get Wade on the team though.
We need shooters, not Wade. |
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suga
Joined: 26 Apr 2004
Posts: 59
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| extreme wrote: |
| Lord Johnny wrote: |
| Ni9ne wrote: |
C. D.Howard
PF. C.Bosh
SF. L.James
SG. K.Bryant
PG. D.Williams
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I second that!
Difficult to decide Williams or Paul. I'm going with Deron here |
It's easy. When your team has Kobe, Howard, James, you need Deron more than CP3. Deron has size, defense and 3-pointers. |
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png247
Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Posts: 1560
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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| theinsanity wrote: |
| Love Chris Paul, but I'll take Williams over him on the US team. He's a better defender and shooter without giving up too much in the passing department. Paul is the better franchise player who you can run your offense through, but on a team with guys like Lebron and Kobe, I think Deron is the better fit. |
pretty much. |
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CaCHooKa Man
Human Highlight Reel
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 10255
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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looks like LO wont be making the reserves then
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Radner
Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 11392
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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One Down, 11 to go
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Jerry Colangelo has confirmed that Denver forward Carmelo Anthony will be part of Team USA when the Americans try to bring home the gold in Beijing later this year, the Rocky Mountain News is reporting.
"Yes, he will be," Colangelo said of Anthony, who played sparingly in the 2004 Olympics. |
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karacha
Joined: 01 Nov 2005
Posts: 15732
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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Of course Melo should play. He's perfect for the international game. So is Deron Williams. Wade, not so much, although having him can't hurt. But he's not absolutely necessary. Bosh is also a good choice. Then players like Redd and Miller. Be mobile, pass the ball, shoot. That's it. No one-on-one crap.
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fromwaydowntown
Joined: 03 Feb 2008
Posts: 45
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:19 am Post subject: |
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| I don't understand how USA basketball still counts on coach K for this job. He has done a terrible job as head coach of the US national team, and has failed the 2 times he has been in international competition. I sincerely thought he was out. I don't get it. Just the other day I was talking to a colleague and we were mentioning how bad coach K was with the US team, just reminiscing about his horrible coaching in the Greece game in 2006 in Japan. I am not from the US, so it is good for me, but if I were, I would want to hit someone from the USA Basketball organization. |
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Kobe Bryant 8
CL's Voice of Reason
Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 13125
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:58 am Post subject: |
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I hope Kobe makes it.
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Radner
Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 11392
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Billups may not make the team. His playoff performance probably influenced that.
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Pistons' guard Chauncey Billups may be the odd guard out when it comes time to finalizing the US Olympic squad, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News is reporting.
With Carmelo Anthony's spot already confirmed, Dwyane Wade providing Jerry Colangelo with a private workout which left Colangelo impressed, and Jason Kidd expected to be team's starting point guard, it is believed that Billups will fight with Chris Paul and Deron Williams for a place on the team.
"I haven't seen Chauncey lately," Colangelo told the Rocky Mountain News. "He's one of the players we're considering."
If Wade is on the team, then it's not likely Colangelo will keep three point guards. |
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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 70472
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:09 am Post subject: |
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Wade has no business being on the team. He can't shoot and doesn't get his offensive flopping calls in international play.
Out of those 3 PGs, Billups is the worse fit. I think Deron and CP3 both have to make the squad.
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Kwame's Cake
Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 1353
Location: Kwame's Secret Basement
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slimjim
Joined: 31 May 2005
Posts: 8048
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:13 am Post subject: |
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the team needs versatile offensive shooters on the floor. not drivers like wade and LBJ. (also why I choose williams over paul, will's got a better shot)
Williams
Kobe
Melo
Bosh
Howard
would be my lineup, only iffy one would be melo, cause of his off-season BS.
inserting redd or mike. would be fine too.
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anakha
Joined: 09 Sep 2007
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:27 am Post subject: |
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Looking at the likely candidates, I see a glaring lack of bigs.
The most likely candidates to make the team would be Howard, Bosh, and Stoudemire or Boozer.
If this is the case, prepare to see a lot of James and Anthony at PF during the Olympics. |
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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 70472
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:39 am Post subject: |
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No Pierce (thank God!), no Billups, but a Kidd
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USA Today: since these were the last two teams standing in the league, let's count the number of faces on the court Tuesday night who will be on the list next Monday when Team USA is announced.
Well, let's see ... one. Kobe Bryant.
Perhaps you were wondering about the guy who has been busy torching the Lakers, and through the first five games was clearly the MVP of these NBA Finals?
That'd be Paul Pierce. Available to take on the Hawks and Pistons and Lakers? Certainly. But Argentina or Lithuania? Not a chance.
It probably seems something of a paradox spilling out of the television set, watching a man carry his team toward an NBA title with such aptitude, but knowing his services are not required for Beijing.
So you'll want reasons.
He hasn't played in Team USA's international efforts in recent years. Team director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski naturally have their eyes on those who did.
There are capable men in line to man the positions. Bryant, Carmelo Anthony. LeBron James might ring a bell.
There is the matter of Pierce's famously damaged knee, and other assorted pains. It has been a long and arduous season, helping haul the Celtics from the pits to the penthouse, and Pierce is 30. They might not have wheelchairs in Beijing.
Also, he played for the 2002 team. In case anyone has forgotten 2002 — and in the USA basketball community, who hasn't tried? — the United States finished sixth in the FIBA World Championship. It was a train wreck in short pants, though they did beat out Turkey.
Nothing went right. Pierce, one of the team's prominent players, drew a chunk of the blame. Was he selfish? Was he moody? Depends on whom you ask.
Coming from that team and hoping to get on future U.S. teams was like applying for a job as sea captain, with a résumé that lists past work experience as an apprentice on the Titanic. |
| Quote: |
Detroit News: Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups withdrew his name from consideration for the U.S. Olympic basketball team Tuesday, according to an ESPN report.
Billups was under consideration for one of the final two guard spots, competing with Chris Paul and Deron Williams. The final roster is expected to be announced early next week.
USA Basketball, late Tuesday afternoon, would not confirm that Billups had withdrawn.
The ESPN report said Billups dropped out due to an unspecified family concern.
"It's a matter of what you want to do and what you need to do," Billups told ESPN. "Winning a gold medal is the one thing that I haven't accomplished, and I was looking forward to standing up on that big stage. That's what I really wanted. But I was taught family comes first, above anything else."
Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince is still under consideration for the Olympic roster. |
| Quote: |
Dallas Morning News: Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd is part of the Olympic basketball team charged with returning a gold medal to the U.S.
Officials with USA Basketball have begun to extend formal invitations in recent days. Sources confirmed that Kidd received a call Monday to let him know he would be part of the 12-man roster that competes for the U.S. in this summer's Beijing Games.
Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of USA Basketball, would not disclose the makeup of the team until it's announced. But Colangelo spoke highly of Kidd's credentials.
"Jason is a great candidate to be one of the 12 because he is a leader, he is the ultimate distributor at the point guard position, and he has great relationships with many of the guys who will be on this team," Colangelo said. "He's undefeated in international play in his career.
"If you had a ledger sheet and put down the plusses and minuses, it's pretty overwhelming on the plus side."
Kidd is 38-0 in international competition. He was a key part of the team that was undefeated in an Olympic qualifying tournament last summer. |
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