Brand and Howard are the 2 latest Olympic team additions

JSM · by **JSM** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:26 pm

Good. Now the team has added some very talented big men to join Amare in the frontcourt. Dwight just better hope that Kobe won't dunk on him in practice.

Orlando Sentinel: Magic power forward Dwight Howard told the Sentinel on Wednesday that he has committed to play for the U.S. Olympic basketball team and in the 2008 Games in China.

Howard will be the youngest NBA player on the squad. Players have to make a two-year commitment and play this summer in the World Championships.

"They asked me last year . . . and I've said yes. I've been kind of keeping it to myself," said Howard, 20, the overall top pick in the 2004 NBA draft.

"I'm really looking forward to it. Wow, to get to play in the Olympics? That's something I've always watched and wanted to do."

And Howard hopes he can keep enjoying the Olympic experience and represent his country in 2012 and 2016.

"I'm hoping I can play in a couple more after that [2008]," he said.

LA Times: Elton Brand, Olympian?

It appeared Wednesday the Clipper forward would play for the U.S. men's basketball team in the 2006 world championships and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Brand met privately with Jerry Colangelo at Staples Center before Wednesday's game against the Suns.

Although Brand declined to reveal whether Colangelo offered him a roster spot, he is expected to soon announce he has joined the team, a Clipper source said.

"He just let me know that there was a lot of interest in me, and I let him know that there's a lot of interest also on my part," Brand said. "I let him know that if they extended that honor, that invitation, I'd be in."

If Brand commits, he would be reunited with Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Brand at Duke and will guide the U.S. Olympic team.

"Especially after what happened at the last Olympics, it makes you want to go out there and represent your country," Brand said. "If I get a chance, I want to help show the world that basketball is an American sport, and we're still the best in the world at it. It's definitely important to do that."

There's a possibility playing for the U.S. could become a three-summer commitment if the team fails to win the 2006 World Championships and qualify for the Olympics. In that event, it would also have to play qualifying games in 2007, but that's fine with Brand.

"You can't worry about that," he said. "As long as you stay healthy and continue your regimen, I think it will help. You're practicing against the best every day. How can that not help you?"

JSM · by **JSM** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:29 pm

So, here is the roster we are looking at until the next addition

Amare
Dwight/Brand
Bron/Marion
Kobe/Redd
Arenas/AI

I think we now need to focus on getting a backup center, and another PG (Chris Paul).

c.Lin · by **c.Lin** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:41 pm

jsm0331 wrote:So, here is the roster we are looking at until the next addition

Amare
Dwight/Brand
Bron/Marion
Kobe/Redd
Arenas/AI

I think we now need to focus on getting a backup center, and another PG (Chris Paul).

That is a very formidable lineup right there. Add some more depth and LOOK OUT!

BDG · by **BDG** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:45 pm

I think Colangelo is meeting with Lamar this week when we play the Suns.

No one's gonna be able to grab a rebound over Dwight Howard. :man1:

HeyIt'sMe · by **HeyIt'sMe** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:00 pm

BryantDunkGiant wrote:I think Colangelo is meeting with Lamar this week when we play the Suns.

No one's gonna be able to grab a rebound over Dwight Howard.

Which is why Howard is a great addition to the squad. His rebounding will lead to extra chance points, and keep the other teams away from having second chance points. He'll also be a huge defensive presence in the post and none of the Euro's will want to drive to the hole against him.

He can also scored when called upon, although they really won't need it with all the offensive weapons the USA team is going to have.

TXLAKERFAN · by **TXLAKERFAN** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:03 pm

I would add Ford, Bosh or Miller and Melo or Carter

mojoballer · by **mojoballer** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:20 pm

Awesome. In another thread I said they should add Brand, Howard and Bosh.

So now we're just down to Bosh! :jam2:

mojoballer · by **mojoballer** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:20 pm

Brad Miller would also be an excellent add. His game fits the international game perfectly.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:26 pm

jsm0331 wrote:So, here is the roster we are looking at until the next addition

Amare
Dwight/Brand
Bron/Marion
Kobe/Redd
Arenas/AI

I think we now need to focus on getting a backup center, and another PG (Chris Paul).

I don´t want AI there. Paul or Billups would be awesome.
then we might add a backup C (Jermaine O´Neal, Okafor), another shooter and another lockdown defender.

JSM · by **JSM** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:28 pm

TXLAKERFAN wrote:I would add Ford, Bosh or Miller and Melo or Carter

Bron wants Melo back in it, but we all know Melo is not really in the league's favor, a lot of which I wouldn't consider his fault.

But I'd like to see Bosh, Melo, and Paul get added. I think that would give us some amazing depth.

Iceberg Slim · by **Iceberg Slim** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:29 pm

I would love to see Bruce Bowen make this team. No players plays better lockdown defense than him.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:31 pm

Iceberg Slim wrote: I would love to see Bruce Bowen make this team. No players plays better lockdown defense than him.

he would be 37-38for the olympics. BTW iwith the fiba rules the refs would call of Bowens defensive techniques. You need clean defenders. Bowen might have troubles adjusting to the FIBA rules.

dugdug · by **dugdug** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:55 am

unless AI doesnt breakdown
and gilbert arena's d, shot selection, n passin improve GREATLY

i think chris paul should start
he be beast by then

High IQ · by **High IQ** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:52 am

finally! Howard! :jam2:

Lord Johnny · by **Lord Johnny** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:57 am

High IQ wrote:finally! Howard!

L J to Kobe behind the back to Howard! :jam2:

GWHiZiTSPHiL · by **GWHiZiTSPHiL** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:39 pm

Brand already knows what it's like to play under Coach K.

extreme · by **extreme** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:40 pm

jsm0331 wrote:So, here is the roster we are looking at until the next addition

Amare
Dwight/Brand
Bron/Marion
Kobe/Redd
Arenas/AI

I think we now need to focus on getting a backup center, and another PG (Chris Paul).

THIS IS A GREAT TEAM :jam2:

Lord Johnny · by **Lord Johnny** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:13 pm

extreme wrote:
jsm0331 wrote:So, here is the roster we are looking at until the next addition

Amare
Dwight/Brand
Bron/Marion
Kobe/Redd
Arenas/AI

I think we now need to focus on getting a backup center, and another PG (Chris Paul).

THIS IS A GREAT TEAM

mojoballer · by **mojoballer** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:32 pm

KB8@CL wrote:
Iceberg Slim wrote: I would love to see Bruce Bowen make this team. No players plays better lockdown defense than him.

he would be 37-38for the olympics. BTW iwith the fiba rules the refs would call of Bowens defensive techniques. You need clean defenders. Bowen might have troubles adjusting to the FIBA rules.

I agree that a defensive role player would be a great addition to the team.

A guy like Tayshaun Prince with his long arms and athleticism would be very good defender (even under the FIBA rules) to add.

And in Matrix and Kobe, we already have 2 excellent perimeter defenders.

Kobe's Empire · by **Kobe's Empire** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:10 pm

man, now that i think of it...it's too early to decide....you can't create a team now, but basically get an idea.....that's right...what if chris paul turns out ot be SIIICK, and dwight howard is still progressing? then what. i say you make the team at the start of the 07-08 season....at least next year man.

balling_nerd · by **balling_nerd** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:57 pm

Colengo..
He's a smart person one night...
How???He added Dwight..Smart Move... :jam2:

Well then he became dumb the other night...
How??He refused to add McGrady...
:disagree:

I don't like whats happening...
Seriously...
:disagree:

lakerfool · by **lakerfool** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:04 pm

I likie the brand move. Howard will be good if he develops a consistent mid-ranger by then.

for Euro style play, mid-rangers are essential because of all the zone clogging the middle at times

JSM · by **JSM** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:00 pm

Kobe's Empire wrote:man, now that i think of it...it's too early to decide....you can't create a team now, but basically get an idea.....that's right...what if chris paul turns out ot be SIIICK, and dwight howard is still progressing? then what. i say you make the team at the start of the 07-08 season....at least next year man.

They can't make a team that late. They are starting practicing this summer. They have to play games before then too, so you have to have a roster NOW. They don't want to throw something together like they have in the past.

JSM · by **JSM** on Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:02 pm

balling_nerd wrote:He refused to add McGrady...

I don't like whats happening...
Seriously...

When you already have Bron, Marion, Kobe, Redd, Arenas, and AI; why add T-Mac? What can he add or bring to the table? It would be a waste of space, if you ask me.

SOAD · by **SOAD** on Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:38 am

Brand and Howard were good pick ups.

The team is shaping up nicely.

Brand and Howard are the 2 latest Olympic team additions