Reply With Quote
I wonder if there's any chance at all that Duncan is willing to participate. I seriously doubt it, especially since Pop isn't coaching.
It will be interesting to see which players actually want to make the 3-year commitment.
By Chris Sheridan
ESPN Insider
Gilbert Arenas is gung ho, Chris Bosh is ready to jump on board, too, and Carmelo Anthony has been interviewed by national team czar Jerry Colangelo about representing the United States at the 2006 World Championship in Japan and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, ESPN.com has learned.
Colangelo also has met briefly with several players, including Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons, and held longer face-to-face meetings with others to ask for a three-year commitment to the U.S. national team.
Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire and Tim Duncan are also on the short list of players Colangelo would like to add to the team's core, but he has not yet spoken to all of them.
The toughest player to convince could be Duncan, whose parting words for the international basketball federation as he left Athens -- "FIBA sucks" -- indicate his strong unwillingness to ever play in another international compe ion. Duncan felt the referees treated him unfairly during the Athens Olympics.
If logistics allow, Colangelo plans to speak to as many as 35 players before extending any formal invitations. The first official members of the team probably will not be announced until the All-Star break in mid-February.
"I've met with five players and laid out everything expected of them regarding the commitment, and what's expected of them on and off the court," Colangelo told ESPN.com. "So far, I'm five-for-five with the guys I've spoken to about participating. And some players who were pessimistic in their comments a couple of months ago are now soliciting an invitation."
Paul Pierce, Elton Brand, Wade, Michael Redd, Lamar Odom, Dwight Howard and others have expressed interest -- some publicly, some through back channels -- in playing for USA Basketball as the American federation tries to recover from the humiliation of a bronze-medal finish at the Athens Olympics and a sixth-place showing at the 2002 World Championship.
"Any time your country seeks you out to represent it, it's an honor," Bosh said. "Ever since I saw the Dream Team play in '92 [when he was 8], it was such a big-time thing. It made a big impression on me. They were killing guys."
Bryant has expressed a strong desire to play for the national team after his sexual-assault trial kept him from playing on the 2004 Olympic team, while Jermaine O'Neal said he would like to play again but is uncertain about making a three-year commitment.
O'Neal and LeBron James both said they had not yet spoken to Colangelo.
A few other high-profile stars, including Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady and Mike Bibby, appear to be off the radar for now. But with Colangelo trying to stock the national team roster with as many as 24 players, he is building in wiggle room for players who might want to play in the World Championship or the Olympics, but not both.
In an effort to rebound from its three losses each in Athens and Indianapolis -- the first ever by U.S. teams using NBA players -- the U.S. federation has moved away from the selection-by-committee process it had used for nearly a decade, giving Colangelo full authority to assemble the roster.
"This is not necessarily going to involve the top guys in terms of talent," Colangelo said. "There's going to be additions, deletions. It'll be a fluid process. This is not a situation where a guy is invited and he's a lock."
Colangelo believes there is only so much room for superstars on the next U.S. team, and he'll attempt to balance the roster with role players who would work well within the team concept and whose specialties would include outside shooting, shot-blocking and man-to-man defending.
He also said there will be one significant change for the next U.S. team from the one that went to Athens: No more entourages.
"When we break camp, we're leaving on a mission. No entourages and no families are heading to the Far East," Colangelo said. "We'll bring families in for the medal round if we make it." Duke's Mike Krzyzewski will coach the U.S. team at the Worlds in Japan next summer and the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, and the assistant coaches will be Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns, Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse.
If the Americans fail to win the World Championship next summer, they'll also have to field a team for an Olympic qualifying tournament in 2007.
All three of those teams will train in Las Vegas, which is close to finalizing a three-year deal to become the site of the national team's training camp.
The U.S. team that will compete in Japan will play two exhibitions in China and two others in South Korea, making stops along the way at U.S. military bases to hold practices.
Colangelo said several NBA teams had offered the services of their overseas-based scouts to compile reports on international players, teams and coaches.
I wonder if there's any chance at all that Duncan is willing to participate. I seriously doubt it, especially since Pop isn't coaching.
It will be interesting to see which players actually want to make the 3-year commitment.
I wouldn't want Kobe anywhere near this team. No thanks.
Bibby, Wade, Iverson
Redd, Hamilton, Allen
Prince, Marion, James, Battier
Duncan, Garnett, Dwight Howard
Brad Miller, Amare, Rasheed Wallace
Those should be the main invitees... Choose the 12 man team from those 16 choices.
You want unselfish players who can shoot the ball and create, move without the ball and play tough defense.
Pop should be the head coach.
The 3-year commitment is a joke.
You saw what happened with the former commitment...bronze medal.
I think Duncan is going to want a Gold Medal since it once of the few pieces of hardware that has eluded him...and Manu has one. Duncan is compe ive and he likes to win.
He was disenfranchised after the last Olympics...but I think he might be willing to reconsider if the team is built the right way. One that he knows can win and where he won't have to carry the team.
I seriously doubt they will get a multi year commitment out of him though.
I still think Pop should coach Serbia-Montenegro or whatever team from that area that makes it.
Oh...and if he doesn't ever play again, I would totally understand that as well. Not only because of the way he was officiated in the last Olympics...but the American public were absolute pricks towards the 04 team...they should have been ripping the guys that didn't go... not the ones that did.
From the list of names it looks like Team USA hasn't learned a damn thing. Team USA still appears to be working the dream team mentality, when they need to pick a couple of core stars and then build around those guys with role players.
The fact that Gregg Popovich was not selected as a coach for this 'Colangelo love-fest' makes me sick. Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillan have accomplished excatly what- other than having their asses wiped with sandpaper by Pop? To a man, every player you hear expresses nothing but admiration and respect for Popovich, does Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett or Shaquille O'Neal even know who D'Antoni is? Why would they?
I'm not American so it's really not my place to throw gasoline but I am a basketball fan and the fact that Jerry Colangelo snubs the best coach in sports for some jagoff that was asking people if they wanted fries with that while Pop was winning rings is a joke.
why do you think kobe would help?
if he played as a team he would help but right now he is forcing shots
That sounds very good, but I would add some perimeter defense, someone like Artest (if the coach can control his head), or Bowen. When some Lithuanian is going nuclear from 3 point land, those kind of defenders are a must have on the court. I would replace Brad Miller for Ben Wallace or Marcus Camby (if not injured). But most important, the team would need some time playing together, if a player says he will play for Team USA, he should accept that he will be called up for the next 4 summers.
D'Antoni isn't the coach. Neither is McMillan. Mike Krzyzewski is.
Here's the thing. Pops is the best NBA coach out there, but the NBA game doesn't work anymore. FIBA works. Both D'Antoni (who's won FIBA les) and McMillan were coaches last year who ran a European style in the NBA and had good success doing it. Pops was an assistant last year and the team didn't do much. Not blaming it on him or even Brown, but that style is something that needs to be moved away from.
As for the players... I have no problem with 8/9 All-Stars and 3/4 quality role players like Prince, Battier and Brad Miller. Players like Hamilton, Rasheed and Redd weren't part of the horrible team last season. Bibby didn't play... so basically there's around 5/6 players (Duncan, Iverson, Wade, Marion, James, Amare) who were a part of the 2004 team.
Have a veteran core of 4/5 players, a young nucleas of 3/4 and a role core od 3/4. If it was me, I'd have Bibby, Iverson, Redd, Hamilton, Duncan with Amare, Wade, LeBron and then Rasheed, Battier, Prince, Miller. If Duncan doesn't go, then place him with Marion.
You can't have Ben Wallace on a FIBA team. That was tried and failed miserably. You need offensive skills. Camby isn't bad. I'd much rather have him than Ben Wallce.
Thing about Artest is he's a cancer and Prince and Battier are very good defenders, as is Hamilton.
Artest = international incident.
For as much fun as Barkley calling the Angolan team "spearchuckers" was, I don't think anyone wants to risk another black eye (literal or figurative) for US basketball. I agree with AHF, this team is being set up for another let down, probably an even bigger one. The last Olympics showed that this isn't just the All-star game, they need to play as a team. And who will make these guys come together? A head coach with zero pro or international experience. And he's backed up by two guys whose solution to the problem of who gets the ball are the D'Antoni system of taking 300 shots every night so that everyone feels involved, and Nate's previous system of having Ray Allen shoot 300 shots a night. This is complete backlash against the defense first tandem of Brown and Pop last year.
I'd like to see this team assembled:
Allen Iverson > Kirk Hinrich
Dwyane Wade > Michael Redd
LeBron James > Carmelo Anthony > Tayshaun Prince
Elton Brand > Dwight Howard > Chris Bosh
Amare Stoudemire > Emeka Okafor
Alternates: Chris Paul, Adam Morrison, Shane Battier, Shelden Williams
here's my picks:
Allen Iverson/Chauncey Billups-AI was our best player in 04 and he's becoming so much more of a complete PG now; Chauncy for his toughness and unselfishness
Kobe/Rip Hamilton/Ray Allen-I love Wade but at this point I'll still take Kobe's jump shot over Wade's, that and Kobe is a better defender; Rip and Ray Allen are the ultimate zone busters
Lebron James/Tayshaun Prince/Bruce Bowen-the ultimate playmaker and ready to actually PLAY this time around; defense defense and more defense-put Tayshaun and Bruce in the game together with Chauncey, Kobe and Timmy and the other team won't score
Tim Duncan/Kevin Garnett-let them play catch and shoot all day long with KG's sweet jumper
Amare Stoudamire/Marcus Camby-Amare wants to play more this time too; we need someone to clean the boards and play D so Marcus is your guy
this team takes the gold medal handily
NO KOBE... anyone who think's he'll not want the spotlight is insane.
Good success? What did they win? NEXT.Here's the thing. Pops is the best NBA coach out there, but the NBA game doesn't work anymore. FIBA works. Both D'Antoni (who's won FIBA les) and McMillan were coaches last year who ran a European style in the NBA and had good success doing it.
I'll clue you in. You think "FIBA works"? What the do you think the Spurs are? Damn, we have 7 international guys on our team. And playing the FIBA way we kicked the out of your suck ass Suns squad.
Wake the up Sunny boy.
Pops was an assistant last year and the team didn't do much.I love it. Because on a team with Larry Brown as head coach the assistants had a lot of say.
You only have one true point guard, Bibby, on the team. Bibby's a good choice, but it would be nice to have a second distributor, like Chauncey, Baron Davis, or Cassell.
My suggestions:
PG: Bibby, Billups, Cassell
SG: Redd, Allen, Hamilton
SF: McGrady, James, T-Mac
PF: Garnett, Amare, Odom
C: Duncan, Brad Miller, Dwight Howard
The basic goal is to find PGs who can both distribute and shoot, SGs who are dedicated shooters, perimeter stars at SF that can both drive and shoot, PFs that can space the floor out or grapple for rebounds inside, and pure post players at C.
Not all of these guys are going to want to join the team, and really, it's not necessary to have Kobe, T-Mac, and LeBron on the same team anyway. So you get whatever stars you can get, then fill in with solid role players like Battier who are willing to take a back seat and play their roles.
kobe craves the attention but i also think he wants to win to clean up his image some and he's smart enough to know that if he jacks up 15-20 contested shots on this team and they lose, he'll be the scapegoat. i think with so many superstars around him, he'd take advantage of his teammates. you're also forgetting coach k's influence will reign him in some.
oh and it looks like i got kobe and ray allen on the same team.
You're so stupid it's not even funny. So, by your logic, Stockton, Malone, Ewing, Barkley, so on and so forth are all failures because they never won the le. With no le, no claim of success can be made? Get over yourself.
By the same logic, Gervin is a failure or even, shall I say, LOSER...
That comment is so rediculous...
You may have seven international guys, but you don't play FIBA style.
And yes, the Spurs beat the Suns in the NBA. Thanks for proving my points. Pops works wonders in the NBA. He's the League's best coach.
Pull yer head out of effin' goat's ass, will ya.
Spurs rule the NBA. No doubt. Pops could do well. Didn't say he couldn't, but simply because Pops isn't the coach, doesn't mean the coaches picked can't succeed. I think Krzyzewski is a fine pick. He's a great teacher and commands respect. The other two I don't particularly like as coaches and I'm on record here as saying that D'Antoni isn't that good of a coach, but I understand why each was picked.
That's not what I said.You're so stupid it's not even funny. So, by your logic, Stockton, Malone, Ewing, Barkley, so on and so forth are all failures because they never won the le. With no le, no claim of success can be made? Get over yourself.
And just what is this FIBA style that you're talking about? You mean the flex offense? Guess what, the Spurs run it. They run pick and roll a lot too, which seems to be a favorite of the Euro squads.but you don't play FIBA style.
Look, Team USA doesn't need the "FIBA style." It needs a team. Not a glorified All-Star squad. It needs role players who can hit threes, run the point, and play defense.
Okay, humor me, how many FIBA championships does your boy D'Antoni have? Nate McMillan? Coach K?Pops works wonders in the NBA. He's the League's best coach.
Pull yer head out of effin' goat's ass, will ya.
Knock off the dip strawman arguments. Yeah, Pop wins in the NBA, well that's more than any of the others can say.
Yeah, D'Antoni was picked because Colangelo's his ing boss and he's smart enough to turn Steve Nash and Amare loose. Wow, that's coaching brilliance, let me tell you.I understand why each was picked.
BTW, here's my team:
PG: Brevin Knight, Mike Bibby, Chris Paul
SG: AI, Wade, Rip, Morrison
SF: Redd, Lebron, Prince, Artest
PF: Duncan, KG (if he'd play), Howard
C: Amare, Brad Miller
Lots of interchangeable parts at SF and SG, as well as PF and C.
Coaching staff:
HC: Gregg Popovich
Assistant 1: Flip Saunders
Assistant 2: Mike Brown
Assistant 3: Mike Dunleavy
Pop not coaching Team USA is very good news for the rest of the world.
Saludos.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
