Kidd gets call from Team USA, says he'll play

nameant · by **nameant** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:48 pm

Kidd gets call from Team USA, says he'll play

Thursday, January 18, 2007
BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO
Star-Ledger Staff

And so it shall be: The Nets' captain got the call from Olympic team majordomo Jerry Colangelo yesterday, inviting him to be a part of the group that will try to get Team USA to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games this summer in Vegas.

"Actually, he called Jeff," Kidd said, referring to agent Jeff Schwartz. "And the answer will be yes."

The call was inevitable. Colangelo told the San Antonio Express-News yesterday that Kidd "has been very outspoken about his interest. He's playing great basketball at 33. He could offer some veteran leadership at that position, and coach (Mike Krzyzewski) is very interested in having him attend."

Kidd rarely expresses his opinions on personnel matters, but he knows the team may have to deal with changes if the current trend isn't sustained. And he doesn't begrudge the decisions Rod Thorn and Ed Stefanski might have to make.

Entire article

Didnt see it mentioned yet. Thought it was worth discussing. I know several people didnt like the idea b/c the whole 4 year commitment or whatever. My stance was, who cares? You want the best players available playing for your country. We have that now in JKidd.[/url]

JSM · by **JSM** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:57 pm

Good news for Team USA. They can certainly use the help and another veteran. Bad news for the Nets (or whatever team he's on by then).

All I know is in 08, Team USA is going to be unbelievable.

In other news: Gilbert Arenas is making this face right about now :mad1:

Tragic · by **Tragic** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:03 pm

that's wonderful. I'll be happy when they drop wade, because he didn't do anything for us.

revgen · by **revgen** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:05 pm

Kidd probably knows that his chances of winning a championship in NJ are probably over and his contract will probably keep him there. He probably wants to do something that he can be proud of while he can still play.

Playing with Team USA will give him players that are actually good instead of the crap he plays with in NJ.

High IQ · by **High IQ** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:40 pm

good news for team USA :jam2:

MarkMadsen · by **MarkMadsen** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:21 pm

kobe + kidd finally. :jam2:

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:18 pm

We are the favorites with Kobe, and with Kidd I don't think we can lose.

Kidd and Gil should be PGs, Kobe and Wade SGs, Bron and Melo SFs, Brand and Odom PFs, and Howard, Bosh and Oden at C.

I'd complete the roster with Paul, Redd or Joe Johnson, Marion, and Josh Howard (since Colangelo wants at least one defensive stud).

This team cannot be beat.

nameant · by **nameant** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:21 pm

Kidd/Paul
Kobe/Wade/Redd
Melo/LeBron
Bosh/Odom
Howard/Amare

bring it. :man11:

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:25 pm

Amare said he's not going to play.

nameant · by **nameant** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:27 pm

what a..

oh well. Greg Oden then.

Kidd/Paul/Hinrich
Kobe/Wade/Redd
Melo/LeBron
Bosh/Odom
Howard/Oden

you've got defense at the guards, rebounding, shotblocking, big men who can step out and hit the J, athleticism, shooters = gold.

JSM · by **JSM** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:34 pm

nameant wrote:Kidd/Paul
Kobe/Wade/Redd
Melo/LeBron
Bosh/Odom
Howard/Amare

bring it.

I'd rather have:

Paul/Kidd/Arenas
Kobe/Wade
Melo/Bron
Bosh/Odom
Dwight/Amare/Oden

CB said Amare said he wasn't going to play. I think he'll change his mind. If he doesn't, replace him with Redd or Pierce.

I would have had one of them on the roster already, but I value a dominant big men over one shooter. Gil, Kobe, and Melo can step out and drain the Js if need be.

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:35 pm

I'd love Amare on the team too, but he wants to do a full offseason of going easy on his knee.

It's always possible he will change his mind, or that Colangelo lets him play in 08 even though he doesn't plan on participating in 07.

Tragic · by **Tragic** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:35 pm

Kidd/Paul/Hinrich
Kobe/RIP/Redd
Melo/Lebron
Odom/Bosh
Howard/Oden

MarkMadsen · by **MarkMadsen** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:38 pm

no love for chauncey? I think Paul's inability to defend got exposed last summer. Id take Billups over him.

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:38 pm

Arenas should definitely be on the team ahead of Hinrich.

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:40 pm

MarkMadsen wrote:no love for chauncey? I think Paul's inability to defend got exposed last summer. Id take Billups over him.

As a vet, I would take Billups over Paul if it came down to that choice and Billups really wants it. Plug Billups in over Paul on my suggested squad.

Paul will have plenty of opportunities in future Games.

Kidd/Arenas/Billups
Kobe/Wade/Redd (or Joe Johnson)
Melo/LeBron/JHoward
Brand/Odom/Marion
Bosh/DHoward/Oden

I'd replace Redd or Johnson with a suitable vet too if one declared an interest.

JSM · by **JSM** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:43 pm

Critical Beatdown wrote:Arenas should definitely be on the team ahead of Hinrich.

I think Colangelo may put him on the team just so he'll stop embarrassing his team and the other coach's teams.

JSM · by **JSM** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:45 pm

Critical Beatdown wrote:I'd love Amare on the team too, but he wants to do a full offseason of going easy on his knee.

It's always possible he will change his mind, or that Colangelo lets him play in 08 even though he doesn't plan on participating in 07.

I think that's the more likely situation. He'll just sit it out this summer and rejoin the team for 08.

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:50 pm

JSM wrote:
Critical Beatdown wrote:I'd love Amare on the team too, but he wants to do a full offseason of going easy on his knee.

It's always possible he will change his mind, or that Colangelo lets him play in 08 even though he doesn't plan on participating in 07.

I think that's the more likely situation. He'll just sit it out this summer and rejoin the team for 08.

He would get Oden's spot then and start ahead of Bosh and Howard.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:27 am

Critical Beatdown wrote:Arenas should definitely be on the team ahead of Hinrich.

he WILL be or I´ll personally shoot Colangelo.

DiehardLakerFan · by **DiehardLakerFan** on Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:34 am

Team USA is going to be really fun to watch!

Mr. Chicken · by **Mr. Chicken** on Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:00 am

Wait is Oden on the team???!

JSM · by **JSM** on Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:59 am

Mr. Chicken wrote:Wait is Oden on the team???!

Yes.

Radner · by **Radner** on Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:45 pm

Next goal.....Ray Allen :jam2:

keyindabox · by **keyindabox** on Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:05 pm

Well deserved... :bow:

Kidd gets call from Team USA, says he'll play

Kidd gets call from Team USA, says he'll play

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