Bryant will be centerpiece of USA Basketball team

[ducks]

Bryant will be centerpiece of USA Basketball team
By MELISSA MURPHY, AP Sports Writer
March 5, 2006

Kobe Bryant will be the centerpiece of the new-look USA Basketball team that is expected to improve upon a disappointing bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Bryant brings NBA championship credentials and high-powered scoring, joining Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and 20 other players selected Sunday for a possible spot on the world championship and 2008 Beijing Olympic teams.

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"It's his time," USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Bryant. "He's 27 years old now. He should try to assume a position of leadership in the team. I would think he's very hungry to do this. I see him fitting in very, very well."

Bryant was supposed to play in Athens, but withdrew because of his sexual assault trial in Colorado. Criminal charges eventually were dropped, and he settled a civil suit with his accuser.

Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade -- members of the 2004 Athens team -- also were selected to the roster. They'll be joined by Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen and Elton Brand.

National team managing director Jerry Colangelo announced the team. He was appointed last April and hired Krzyzewski after the United States finished a disappointing sixth in the 2002 worlds in Indianapolis and third in Athens.

"We wanted a team not of individual stars, but athleticism, shooters, role players and distributors," Colangelo said. "Chemistry is something we all talk about, we seek."

Others on the roster include Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Michael Redd and Luke Ridnour.

College players J.J. Redick (Duke) and Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) also were chosen.

"They're both great scorers," Krzyzewski said. "I think some collegiate players going into this type of situation would be a little bit intimidated. I don't think either one of these guys will. They more define the specialist role."

The 2004 Olympic team was plagued by withdrawals, so Colangelo required a three-year commitment from players, a likely reason players such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were not interested.

"The thing is they got guys that are willing to make a three-year commitment, which I think is tremendous," Larry Brown, the U.S. coach in Athens, said Friday. "We had guys that committed and then all of a sudden 9/11 happened, and then there were injuries."

Allen Iverson, a member of the bronze-medal team, was not invited to training camp. Colangelo said he was looking for more distributors of the ball, not scorers.

He also said Billups and Redd will miss the world championships in August because of previous obligations. Billups is a new father, and Redd will be getting married.

Players will attend training camp in Las Vegas in July, then travel to China and South Korea for exhibition games before a 12-man roster is selected for the world championships in Japan.

A training camp in 2007 -- and possibly regional Olympic qualifying -- will be followed by a camp and more exhibition games in 2008 before the Beijing Olympics.

AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney contributed to this report.

[CubanMustGo]

Allen Iverson, a member of the bronze-medal team, was not invited to training camp. Colangelo said he was looking for more distributors of the ball, not scorers.

And yet Kobe "will be centerpiece of team." OK. Perhaps this says it best:

http://images.ucomics.com/comics/tm/2006/tm060305.gif

[timvp]

AI has led his team to an NBA Finals appearance. Kobe has led his team to a possible 8th seed one of these years.

[JamStone]

Allen Iverson is supposed to be a point guard. Kobe Bryant is a "SHOOTING" guard. Distribution of the basketball should be the primary responsibility of the point guard.

I am a huge Allen Iverson fan. In fact, he's still my favorite player in the league, but I understand why he was not invited. Perhaps he should have at least been invited to tryout. But, once he would have tried out, it may have looked even worse to cut him then instead of not inviting him at all.

Kobe Bryant SHOULD be the centerpiece of Team USA. He is the best player in the league right now. It should be Kobe's team to lead.

[myhc]

Looks like Josh Howard and Rashard Lewis didn't make the 22 man team. Lamar Odom did get in.

[Kori Ellis]

Rashard Lewis and Michael Redd bowed out. I don't know why Redd is still listed.

[Kori Ellis]

Never mind. It says here Redd was going to bow out.

http://www.journaltimes.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=4372

But now it says that he accepted.

[ChumpDumper]

Don't be rapin'.

[IceColdBrewski]

Nike Hoops It Up With USA Basketball

(March 3, 2006) - Nike said today it has signed a multi-year deal making the footwear and apparel company a marketing partner and exclusive apparel outfitter of USA Basketball. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under terms of the agreement, Nike will provide all USA Basketball members with uniforms, warm-ups and practice gear for all of its events, including the 2006 World Championships and the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. Support will encompass all teams represented by USA Basketball, including the USA Basketball junior teams, the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit (an annual basketball game featuring Americas’ top senior boy prep players taking on a World Select Team), and additional grassroots USA Basketball activities. Nike will also unveil a line of USA Basketball consumer merchandise that will include uniforms, warm-ups, active wear, headwear, and footwear. Uniforms and additional products will feature player identification from the men’s and women’s senior national teams. The collection will be available for consumers at sporting goods stores, sports specialty retailers, the NBA Store on Fifth Ave in New York City, USAbasketball.com, NBAstore.com, Niketown and Nike.com.

One of the Pacer/Sixers game announcers mentioned that not a single person with a Reebok deal was selected for Team USA. At least 15 who were selected had Nike deals. Considering that Iverson is the poster child for Reebok basketball merchandise in America, he never had a chance in hell of being selected for the team.

[CubanMustGo]

Is that what it comes down to in the USA these days? A player is selected by his shoe contract rather than his latent talents and abilities?

Pretty sad.

[ShoogarBear]

One of the Pacer/Sixers game announcers mentioned that not a single person with a Reebok deal was selected for Team USA. At least 15 who were selected had Nike deals. Considering that Iverson is the poster child for Reebok basketball merchandise in America, he never had a chance in hell of being selected for the team.This is what USA Basketball has come to. Thanks, Jerry Colangelo.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Kobe as the poster child? I think I just vomited in my mouth a little.

Forget Team USA, this is team Swoosh.

[cecil collins]

You guys are all fucking idiots.

Kobe is the best player in the world besides Tim Duncan. Fuck the sex charges. Recognize his game. You will all be on his dick when he wins us the gold. Mark my words.
Go put on a Kobe jersey jack. Kobe hasn't won shit without his fat old daddy.

AI has led his team to an NBA Finals appearance. Kobe has led his team to a possible 8th seed one of these years.
That's the way I see it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this gives me a better reason to hate this usa team cose its built around kome, lets hope they choke like the fakers buildin around kome

[Melmart1]

this gives me a better reason to hate this usa team cose its built around kome, lets hope they choke like the fakers buildin around kome

I understand that you are not in the US, but why on earth would you ask Americans who still make up a majority of this forum, to hope that Team USA chokes?

I am not huge fan of Kobe either, but shit- he is on my country's team, and I am gonna root for him.

[T-Pain]

im still bummed about Timmy not on the team

[Geno Billy]

I don't think Timmy would have played in another FIBA rules and officiated event even if it meant a 1-year commitment instead of a 3-year.

[Geno Billy]

I don't think Timmy would have played in another FIBA rules and officiated event even if it meant a 1-year commitment instead of a 3-year.

Okay, so here is Exhibit A:
================================================== ========

Duncan has had it with FIBA and its referees

08:46 PM CDT on Saturday, August 28, 2004

By BRAD TOWNSEND / The Dallas Morning News

ATHENS, Greece – Tim Duncan wasn't available for comment after fouling out of Friday's semifinal loss to Argentina.

The probable reason became clear after Saturday's bronze-medal game victory over Lithuania, when Duncan spewed forth some of his frustrations about officiating during the Olympics.

"I'm about 95 percent sure my FIBA career is over."

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) governs basketball played outside the United States, including the Olympics.

Asked whether he is concerned that his experiences will deter NBA players from playing in future Olympics, Duncan said: "I hope not. I'll try not to share my experiences with anybody."

In eight Olympic games, including Saturday's, Duncan was whistled for 30 fouls. In Duncan's seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, his coach Gregg Popovich recalls him fouling out once, maybe twice.

"He was very frustrated throughout the whole deal," Popovich, a Team USA assistant, said. "To his credit, he kept his cool when a lot of guys would have exploded."

[Geno Billy]

...and here is a FIBA.com article about true "World Champions" and acknowledging that not even the "best player in the world" could help Team USA. Was Tim a marked man? Did he have a big, red target on his back? Argentina deserved the Gold but Tim got jobbed.
http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/news/latest_news_article.asp?cookietest=done&r_act_news=5144&r_cat=8&page=5

26/12/2004
FIBA - Basketball proves yet again to be international game

NEW YORK (Olympics) - The winners of NBA Finals have always been called "world champs" in North America but that title is no longer appropriate following the remarkable development of the international game.

NBA champs, certainly. But not world champs. Not even close.

In fact, if there was one thing we could derive from pro basketball in 2004, it was that no team from the United States - not the Pistons, not the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, not the Olympic team - could properly be called "world champs".

The FIBA World Championship 2002 and this summer's Olympics have proved once and for all that the best basketball is not always played by American teams.

The gold medal game at the Athens Games was the culmination of a true international tournament several years in the making. Scores of nations had competed; a dozen had qualified.

Now just two were left, playing for the honour of knowing it had won on basketball's international stage. And neither team had the letters "USA" across its chest.

Team USA's run through the tournament had ended minutes earlier with a bronze medal win over Lithuania, avenging a loss in group play. Even with the best player in the world in Tim Duncan, the Americans could do no better than a consolation prize.

Coaches Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich, both of whom had won NBA titles and had heard their teams improperly anointed as "world champs", sat and watched as an Emanuel Ginobili-inspired Argentina took on unheralded Italy for global bragging rights.

"Out of the 24 players on the two teams, 19 had Italian passports," said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who played and coached in Italy for over 20 years.

"I think it's a tribute to the league in Italy. They do a great job and I was really proud of them. You hate it for the US, but I was proud of my guys."

It was also a tribute to the game in Spain, where most of Argentina's players compete professionally.

There were names some NBA fans knew, like Ginobili and Wolkowyski. There were some names NBA fans would come to know, like Nocioni and Scola and Delfino. And there were names that now had to be acknowledged, like Basile and Oberto, Galanda and Montecchia, Sconochini and Magnano.

Conspicuous by their absence were names such as Iverson and Wade, Stoudemire and Marbury, James and Anthony. These players populate NBA All-Star Weekend, which is billed as a gathering of the best players in the world.

But it does not include the world champs. That title officially belongs to Serbia & Montenegro. In 2002, the erstwhile Yugoslavia invaded Indianapolis and came away with the world title, which it retains until 2006.

At the Summer Olympics, Argentina defeated Italy for the other internationally acknowledged global crown. It was yet another reminder to the jingoistic folk that the best basketball on the planet isn't necessarily played in America.

However, if you need incontrovertible proof, just take a look around the NBA. There are 81 international players, approximately one-sixth of the league. That means if there isn't one starting for your team, then he's your sixth man.

At least one foreign player populates every roster except that of the Indiana Pacers.

The San Antonio Spurs - virtually every prognosticator's pick to win the NBA title - have seven, including Duncan and three other members of their starting lineup.

"It was pretty evident that it kept growing," D'Antoni said . "I'd been over there 20 years and you could see it coming. There's no reason not to. A lot of NBA coaches went over there. There's film, and satellite television was probably the biggest thing. The coaches and the players over there kept getting better. It was pretty obvious that it should happen."

These guys can play. In each of the last two years, six of the 24 players in the All-Star Game hailed from outside the US. Come February, the number could be even greater.

Or take a look at the statistics. Dirk Nowitzki, a German, is third in scoring and eighth in rebounding. Steve Nash, a Canadian, leads the NBA in assists. Peja Stojakovic, a Serb, is the top free-throw shooter.

It is no accident that the Spurs, Phoenix Suns and Seattle SuperSonics - the teams with the top three records as we approach the new year - have a combined 14 internationals on their rosters.

"I think it (international influx) will keep growing for a while and then it will plateau," D'Antoni said. "Then it will be a battle back and forth. But it's good for basketball."

If the international influence has caught you by surprise, that's okay. You probably were too busy watching American players flail with fundamentals, question coaches or storm into the stands.

But it's high time that fans stop living in the past and recognise that the game has gone global and is not going back.

It is not 1992 anymore, with Larry Bird posing for photos with Cubans, Charles Barkley elbowing Angolans and Chuck Daly calling for tee times during timeouts.

There is no shock and awe. The rest of the world can play with the USA, and it knows it.

On the global stage, the US no longer owns the spotlight. And if American players do not recognise that, it won't be long before the international game takes over the NBA as well.

PA International

[TDMVPDPOY]

this is USA SUNS team, wtf is joe johnson doin on the team?

[Sense]

We all know better than to think much of GiG's posts.

[nkdlunch]

good luck with THAT

[Medvedenko]

Haters....all of you...Kobe barring any injury will lead the team to Gold. Sorry kids the whole arguement of AI going to the finals and getting smashed is old hat. Look at Kobe's team and they are still in the playoff hunt. You exchange billups and kobe and let's see how the Lakers do.

[Spurminator]

Update: Kobe's status as "Centerpiece" has been upgraded.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/45757

Kobe Bryant Named As 2008 Olympic Basketball Team

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Kobe-Bryant.article.jpg

PHOENIX—In a press conference Wednesday, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo announced that Kobe Bryant has been selected as the 2008 men's Olympic basketball team.

"When they put me in charge of the selection process, I promised the committee that I would not assemble a collection of selfish, self-centered superstars with no team concept," said Colangelo, referring to the every-man-for-himself Olympic team that finished an embarrassing third place in Athens two years ago. I am confident that, with a team comprised entirely of Kobe Bryant, the infighting, ego-clashing, and divisiveness that plagued the 2004 team will not be a problem."

Dubbing Bryant the "Dream Individual," Colangelo said that, by eliminating such weaknesses as the presence of coaches and other players, Bryant will be able to reach his full potential.

"Kobe has already been working hard during the regular season to get accustomed to being the sole contributor of a basketball team," Colangelo said. "If he, and USA basketball, want any chance of winning the gold in Beijing, he's going to have to play the game as if he's the only one on the court. Anyone who knows basketball will tell you it will be an easy adjustment."

During the press conference, Bryant told members of the media that he was "honored" and "not surprised" to be chosen as the Olympic team.

"I have to tell you, I'm not in any way humbled by this moment—this is what I've been working towards my whole career, from entering the NBA draft right out of high school to getting Shaq traded away to my 81-point game," Bryant said. "I'm used to it. I know that if I don't bring my A-game on any given night during the regular season, the Lakers will be in trouble. The same applies to the U.S. Olympic squad, where I am, more so than ever, the most indispensable player on the team."

Bryant added that he is also working on a special new kind of jump shot that is "indefensible and can only be done by me."

Commissioner David Stern applauded the decision to select "only one greedy, self-serving, ball-hogging, stat-padding superstar instead of the usual 20," saying that Bryant's behavior both on and off the court is an accurate reflection of the current state of American basketball.

"Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest individual talents in the game, and we're proud to have him represent our country, our sport, and the 28 or so other deserving individual talents who were vying for a spot on the roster," Stern said. "Kobe may not be a great team player, but we think he will be a great team."

"Besides, 81 points beats a lot of teams, especially foreign ones," Stern added.

Bryant was scheduled to begin training with personal coaches Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Karl Malone this week, but, in the true spirit of his new role as Olympic team captain, head coach, and lone member, he has opted to prepare for the tournament on his own time without anyone's assistance. Starting at the end of the 2005-2006 NBA season, Bryant will practice tip-offs, work on fundamental self-inbound passes, learn how to play defense, and draw up several play formations, each of which he will be responsible for calling during the games.

Although the general response among fans has been complete indifference, many players around the league have objected to the decision, saying that it is unfair to others who have worked just as hard as Bryant.

"Kobe Bryant shouldn't be the only one allowed to represent our country at the Summer Games," Sixers point guard Allen Iverson said. "I should be the only one allowed to represent our country at the Summer Games."

LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan all expressed identical reactions.

[Medvedenko]

Yeah I posted this a while back..still very funny

[angel_luv]

Kobe as the poster child? I think I just vomited in my mouth a little.

Forget Team USA, this is team Swoosh.


And they are going to get their tails kicked in the first round by Team Whoosh! :elephant

Ponosen clan bratovscine Rasha in Bena
Proud member of Rasho and Beno brotherhood


( Sorry Bruce!)

[Drive Like Jehu]

You will all be on his dick when he wins us the gold. Mark my words.

I'm sure if Kobe has enough money to settle that many cases out of court.

[SouthernFried]

This is a fucking team sport. Teams win. Look at Detroit, look at San Antonio...look at ARGENTINA fer chrissakes! This focus on Kobe is an idiotic move right from the start.

And why didn't they get Ben Wallace for interior D? He'd prolly be my first pick, over all those damn scorers. Put him and Bowen on the same team first...THEN get some scorers and team players to surround 'em. That's how you build a winner.

Either that, or just let the whoever wins the NBA championship that year go. Wouldn't have to worry about Chemistry and coaching them for 3 years.

[nkdlunch]

Billups = Most Valuable Player
Kobe = Most Selfish Player

[greywheel]

If Kobe is the centerpiece of USA basketball, would it be wrong for me to root for team Argentina?

[leemajors]

adidas bought reebok didn't they? are there any adidas players on the team? i really doubt that nike would tell colangelo to not put any reebok players on the team - they get their advertising regardless of who is on the team.

[JamStone]

This is a fucking team sport. Teams win. Look at Detroit, look at San Antonio...look at ARGENTINA fer chrissakes! This focus on Kobe is an idiotic move right from the start.

And why didn't they get Ben Wallace for interior D? He'd prolly be my first pick, over all those damn scorers. Put him and Bowen on the same team first...THEN get some scorers and team players to surround 'em. That's how you build a winner.

Either that, or just let the whoever wins the NBA championship that year go. Wouldn't have to worry about Chemistry and coaching them for 3 years.


Ben Wallace was interviewed by Colangelo and specifically stated he was not interested in playing for Team USA.


And, if the Spurs won the NBA championship in 2008, two of their three best players couldn't play for Team USA because Parker and Ginobili are not Americans, and Tim Duncan didn't want to play, so Team USA would be the Spurs without Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan? The players have to WANT to play.

[T Park]

This isn't the all star game, this is a TEAM.

You get a couple all stars, then build around them.

THAT simple.

[angel_luv]

If Kobe is the centerpiece of USA basketball, would it be wrong for me to root for team Argentina?


I'm rooting for Slovenia and Argentina.

[T Park]

Nothing like abandoning your own country for countries of basketball players you see on television.

Good stuff peeps.

[Melmart1]

I am with T-Park. I understand some people's love for individual players for other countries, but I will never understand people not rooting for their own country. I rooted for Manu in Athens... AFTER Team USA got beat.

[ducks]

I actually do not think nba players at all should play in the games

I think sending the ncaa tournment championship team over there would be a very good idea.
they are also used to their rules

[ducks]

I am not sure why so many people think that the usa basketball team must win the gold
they are suppose to go over and have fun

we all know the nba team that wins the championship in the best team in the world that year

[CubanMustGo]

I think sending the ncaa tournment championship team over there would be a very good idea.
they are also used to their rules

Umm, no, NCAA rules are closer to NBA rules than to FIBA rules. No funky trapezoidal lane, no grabbing the ball off the rim after the first bounce, etc. About the only place where the college game is more similar to FIBA is in the three-point line (19'9" college, 20'6" FIBA).

Of course, I argue that the US should just get over itself and play by FIBA rules rather than promulgating a set which cause problems every time we have to play someone else. That seems to get about as much support as dumping the Imperial weights & measurement system in favor of Metric.

[Mixability]

Nothing like abandoning your own country for countries of basketball players you see on television.

Good stuff peeps.

nothing like abandoning your "so-called" team when they're 2-2 in the semis.

:lol


I'm rooting for Slovenia and Argentina.

but yeah, rooting for a country's team, because they have a "cute" :vomit guy on their team shows your sports intelligence.

sorry angel_luv, it makes me sick.

[ducks]

Umm, no, NCAA rules are closer to NBA rules than to FIBA rules. No funky trapezoidal lane, no grabbing the ball off the rim after the first bounce, etc. About the only place where the college game is more similar to FIBA is in the three-point line (19'9" college, 20'6" FIBA).

Of course, I argue that the US should just get over itself and play by FIBA rules rather than promulgating a set which cause problems every time we have to play someone else. That seems to get about as much support as dumping the Imperial weights & measurement system in favor of Metric.
I know they are different then fiba but alot closer

[velik_m]

I actually do not think nba players at all should play in the games

I think sending the ncaa tournment championship team over there would be a very good idea.
they are also used to their rules

if you want players used to FIBA rules send americans that play in FIBA/ULEB leagues. NCAA rules are so archaic...

i think USA did this in 98 (lockout year) on WC and didn't get much result though.

[1Parker1]

:lmao Watch Kobe score 50 and everyone jump back on the bandwagon.