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B-B-B-Billups
Sources: A.I. not invited to play for USA
By PHIL JASNER
[email protected]
DALLAS - Allen Iverson was, in many ways, the face of the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 2004. He wanted to be there. He played hard, and he played well. Now, he's not even in the picture for the 2008 Games in Beijing.
Contracts from the U.S. Olympic Committee to 22 NBA players, two college players and one high school player went out in the mail about 10 days ago. Two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed that Iverson, a four-time scoring champion in his 10th season with the 76ers, was not in that group.
Before last night's game against the Dallas Mavericks, Iverson said he had not personally received notice, but that he was aware of the situation.
His response?
"Thanks for considering me," he said. "Now, I get to spend time with my kids in the summer."
Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said, "That comes as a surprise to me."
One source confirmed that Iverson, who had said he very much wanted to be part of the 2008 team, was on a list of players who had made a commitment to Jerry Colangelo, the managing director for USA Basketball's senior men's team, but received a letter thanking them for their interest.
Iverson had met with Colangelo on Jan. 4, when the Sixers were in Phoenix. Afterward, Colangelo told reporters, "I liked the look in his eye. He looked me right in the eye and said it really would be an honor for him."
Iverson was easily the MVP of the U.S. team that won the 2003 World Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was far and away the most popular U.S. player. The Americans, though, had to settle for a third-place finish in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
"I had a good experience in 2004, but we won the bronze," Iverson said in Phoenix. "I really want to win a gold medal."
Some of the younger players who made commitments but were not selected will be kept in the USA Basketball pipeline as prospective candidates for the 2012 Olympics, and could become part of a Select team that would spend time training together.
"We tried to make the letters as appreciative and professional as possible," one of the sources said. "The idea was to try and bring people down softly."
Colangelo and U.S. head coach Mike Krzyzewski, of Duke, will formally announce the 25 invitees on Sunday on ABC. An eventual team of 12 players will participate in the world championships this summer in Japan. If the U.S. team does not qualify for the 2008 Olympics there, it would have another opportunity in the 2007 Pre-Olympic Tournament.
With the world championships expanded from 16 to 24 teams, the United States has been placed in a preliminary round group with Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy, China and Senegal. The Americans will open Aug. 19 against Puerto Rico, the team that stunned the Americans, 92-73, in the opener of the 2004 Olympics.
B-B-B-Billups
I know what they are thinking, but damn. It is a GUTSY move to leave off the guy who has been your only good player.
Probably gonna have Billups/Wade as point guards.
That's crazy. He deserves it. He's proven it.
I think AI should be on that team. He's one of the few players who acts like he wants to be there during international compe ion.
This is a surprise, the US team loses a lot IMO.
WTF?!?!?Iverson was easily the MVP of the U.S. team that won the 2003 World Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was far and away the most popular U.S. player.
That sucks. Dumb move.
He got jobbed.
that is a shame
glad pop is not the coach
ai was the mvp last time
dude should be there
Wow, this is crazy.
I don`t get it. MVP of what? Was a world championship played in secret or what?!?!?
That should be the Americas Tournament, which gives qualification spots for the Olympics.
I wonder if this was the coaches preference
The more I think about this, the more pissed I get. AI is not one of my favorite players, but you can't deny his greatness or his commitment to the team. Why the do players who flipped off the team last time *cough*Kobe*cough* get a free pass in now?
Not like he really had a choice...he was off committing adultery.
That's weak, you should at least let the former co-captain join out of respect to him. Especially considering the fact that he actually wanted to be on the team.
So, Three Cares
I bet some reaction to his exclusion might get him invited later.
As was said, he's got the talent and the desire, so why not?
I would leave him off as well...
They are building a more balanced squad, hence asking Bruce Bowen to play.
It's not about the best players anymore, plus they will have plenty of scoring with Kobe.
That is ing bull .
USA basketball sucks ing .
I know other people are big supporters but he is not fit to be a role player and there are better superstars than him. Smart move by USA not to have an all-star team but players that actually fit.
Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo, etc are now all "roll players?"
AI deserved to be on the team, flat out. This is bull .
I don't like AI as a a player, but he should definitely have been rewarded with a spot, if only because of his commitment. They have no grounds rejecting him - he definitely has the ability and balls to play there.
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