Mr.Bottomtooth
07-19-2006, 10:03 PM
Odds are, six won’t survive cut for USA Basketball
By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich and 19 other NBA stars will convene in Las Vegas today with the goal of restoring USA Basketball to its rightful place in the world.
After earning a bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics and failing to medal at the ’02 World Championships in Indianapolis, USA Basketball is attempting a new tactic. This year, players have to try out and the roster will be trimmed to 12 by the time the FIBA World Championships begin in Japan on Aug. 19.
When you think about it, this concept may be unprecedented in the history of American pro sports. Multi-millionaire athletes will actually be cut from an all-star team.
Here’s how I see things happening: At the end of the final practice Tuesday, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski will sit the players down in the bleachers and tell a story about how Michael Jordan was once cut from his high school team.
That story might be a myth. I think what actually happened was Jordan didn’t make the varsity as a sophomore at Laney High School in Wilmington, N.C. But the details aren’t important. Eyes will be filling with tears once Krzyzewski is finished telling the tale.
Then the coaching staff will meet in an office before an assistant, probably Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, emerges to tack a sheet containing the final roster onto a bulletin board.
Some players will crowd around, stand on their toes and crane their necks to see if they made the team. Others will calmly pack up their gear on the other side of the gym.
“Uh, LeBron, aren’t you going to see if you made the team?”
“Don’t make me laugh. There is no team if I’m not on it.”
Actually, only three players will be cut this week in training camp and three more will be removed following exhibitions in China and South Korea. Chauncey Billups and Michael Redd are planning to attend training camp but were given a pass on the overseas trip due to family obligations.
But sooner or later, six players have to go. So here’s a rundown of those most likely to be trimmed from Team USA. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Elton Brand and Shawn Marion have no chance of getting cut and will be ignored in this space.
•Luke Ridnour, G, Seattle. Odds: 3-2.
A strange choice to begin with. If someone suggested that Ridnour was included on this team just to shame Hinrich into rethinking his original decision not to participate, I’d buy it.
•Adam Morrison, F, Charlotte. Odds: 2-1.
The only player with no NBA experience would be easy to let go. The question is, how would he react to news that he’s been cut?
•Amare Stoudemire, F-C, Suns. Odds: 3-1.
He only missed 79 games last season with a knee injury. Rehab on your own time, not at Uncle Sam’s expense.
•Bruce Bowen, G, Spurs. Odds: 6-1.
Supposed to be a defensive stopper, but at 35, his legs don’t move fast enough anymore. Maybe he could use some insider knowledge to stop Spurs teammate Manu Ginobili in a showdown with Argentina.
•Antawn Jamison, F, Wizards. Odds: 7-1.
A finesse power forward whose value drops when his shot doesn’t fall. Team USA can do better.
•Joe Johnson, G, Hawks. Odds: 8-1.
He’s a very talented player, but being associated with the Hawks is bound to hurt his chances.
•Shane Battier, F, Rockets. Odds: 10-1.
Would be one of the favorites to get cut if he hadn’t given Coach K four of the best years of his life at Duke.
•Carmelo Anthony, F, Nuggets. Odds: 12-1.
Maybe he’ll be let go in retribution for all that whining he did over his role at the 2004 Olympics.
•Brad Miller, C, Kings. Odds: 15-1.
Good dirty-work player who won’t complain about limited playing time. Plus, his tobacco-chewing habit is sure to entertain the international media.
•Kirk Hinrich, G, Bulls. Odds: 20-1.
Come on, you think managing director Jerry Colangelo would have begged Hinrich to join the team if he didn’t think the Bulls’ guard would make it?
•Gilbert Arenas, G, Wizards. Odds: 25-1.
Maybe Coach K can do what Wizards boss Eddie Jordan hasn’t — convince Arenas to play defense.
•Chris Paul, G, Hornets. Odds: 30-1.
Can’t leave off the best young point guard in the game.
•Chris Bosh, F-C, Raptors. Odds: 150-1.
Good guy, very good player. He could be a key to U.S. success.
•Dwight Howard, F-C, Magic. Odds: 200-1.
With Stoudemire’s status in question, the Eastern Conference version will surely stick around.
•No one gets cut. Odds: Even
In this scenario, Team USA experiences a convenient series of minor injuries that will spare anyone the embarrassment of being sent home. Already, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick have bowed out due to injuries, while Lamar Odom was excused for personal reasons.
•Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke. Odds: 10,000-1.
Assistant Mike D’Antoni should be coaching this team, because he has more international experience than anyone, having coached in Italy before taking over the Phoenix Suns.
Based on my observations, Krzyzewski is good at three things: recruiting the nation’s finest high school players, intimidating referees and providing sarcastic answers to serious questions. As a bench coach, I’ve had my doubts since watching Krzyzewski get worked over by Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun in the 1999 NCAA title game.
Switch coaches in mid-tournament? Now that would be a bold move to shake up the world’s supposed basketball powerhouse.
By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich and 19 other NBA stars will convene in Las Vegas today with the goal of restoring USA Basketball to its rightful place in the world.
After earning a bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics and failing to medal at the ’02 World Championships in Indianapolis, USA Basketball is attempting a new tactic. This year, players have to try out and the roster will be trimmed to 12 by the time the FIBA World Championships begin in Japan on Aug. 19.
When you think about it, this concept may be unprecedented in the history of American pro sports. Multi-millionaire athletes will actually be cut from an all-star team.
Here’s how I see things happening: At the end of the final practice Tuesday, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski will sit the players down in the bleachers and tell a story about how Michael Jordan was once cut from his high school team.
That story might be a myth. I think what actually happened was Jordan didn’t make the varsity as a sophomore at Laney High School in Wilmington, N.C. But the details aren’t important. Eyes will be filling with tears once Krzyzewski is finished telling the tale.
Then the coaching staff will meet in an office before an assistant, probably Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, emerges to tack a sheet containing the final roster onto a bulletin board.
Some players will crowd around, stand on their toes and crane their necks to see if they made the team. Others will calmly pack up their gear on the other side of the gym.
“Uh, LeBron, aren’t you going to see if you made the team?”
“Don’t make me laugh. There is no team if I’m not on it.”
Actually, only three players will be cut this week in training camp and three more will be removed following exhibitions in China and South Korea. Chauncey Billups and Michael Redd are planning to attend training camp but were given a pass on the overseas trip due to family obligations.
But sooner or later, six players have to go. So here’s a rundown of those most likely to be trimmed from Team USA. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Elton Brand and Shawn Marion have no chance of getting cut and will be ignored in this space.
•Luke Ridnour, G, Seattle. Odds: 3-2.
A strange choice to begin with. If someone suggested that Ridnour was included on this team just to shame Hinrich into rethinking his original decision not to participate, I’d buy it.
•Adam Morrison, F, Charlotte. Odds: 2-1.
The only player with no NBA experience would be easy to let go. The question is, how would he react to news that he’s been cut?
•Amare Stoudemire, F-C, Suns. Odds: 3-1.
He only missed 79 games last season with a knee injury. Rehab on your own time, not at Uncle Sam’s expense.
•Bruce Bowen, G, Spurs. Odds: 6-1.
Supposed to be a defensive stopper, but at 35, his legs don’t move fast enough anymore. Maybe he could use some insider knowledge to stop Spurs teammate Manu Ginobili in a showdown with Argentina.
•Antawn Jamison, F, Wizards. Odds: 7-1.
A finesse power forward whose value drops when his shot doesn’t fall. Team USA can do better.
•Joe Johnson, G, Hawks. Odds: 8-1.
He’s a very talented player, but being associated with the Hawks is bound to hurt his chances.
•Shane Battier, F, Rockets. Odds: 10-1.
Would be one of the favorites to get cut if he hadn’t given Coach K four of the best years of his life at Duke.
•Carmelo Anthony, F, Nuggets. Odds: 12-1.
Maybe he’ll be let go in retribution for all that whining he did over his role at the 2004 Olympics.
•Brad Miller, C, Kings. Odds: 15-1.
Good dirty-work player who won’t complain about limited playing time. Plus, his tobacco-chewing habit is sure to entertain the international media.
•Kirk Hinrich, G, Bulls. Odds: 20-1.
Come on, you think managing director Jerry Colangelo would have begged Hinrich to join the team if he didn’t think the Bulls’ guard would make it?
•Gilbert Arenas, G, Wizards. Odds: 25-1.
Maybe Coach K can do what Wizards boss Eddie Jordan hasn’t — convince Arenas to play defense.
•Chris Paul, G, Hornets. Odds: 30-1.
Can’t leave off the best young point guard in the game.
•Chris Bosh, F-C, Raptors. Odds: 150-1.
Good guy, very good player. He could be a key to U.S. success.
•Dwight Howard, F-C, Magic. Odds: 200-1.
With Stoudemire’s status in question, the Eastern Conference version will surely stick around.
•No one gets cut. Odds: Even
In this scenario, Team USA experiences a convenient series of minor injuries that will spare anyone the embarrassment of being sent home. Already, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick have bowed out due to injuries, while Lamar Odom was excused for personal reasons.
•Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke. Odds: 10,000-1.
Assistant Mike D’Antoni should be coaching this team, because he has more international experience than anyone, having coached in Italy before taking over the Phoenix Suns.
Based on my observations, Krzyzewski is good at three things: recruiting the nation’s finest high school players, intimidating referees and providing sarcastic answers to serious questions. As a bench coach, I’ve had my doubts since watching Krzyzewski get worked over by Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun in the 1999 NCAA title game.
Switch coaches in mid-tournament? Now that would be a bold move to shake up the world’s supposed basketball powerhouse.