AI Not INVITED to team USA?

hmm looks like anther reason to hate Colangelo

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.

i dont care what neway says about iverson, he deserves a spot. he can pass when he has teammates to pass to. just check the all star game. he is all heart and will do what it needs for the country. He let it be known he wants to do it, let him get a chance!

who are those two college players and one high school player?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2349009

The entire roster includes Carmelo Anthony, Arenas, Battier, Billups, Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Bryant, Dwight Howard, Josh Howard, James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Rashard Lewis, Shawn Marion, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Pierce, Redd, Ridnour, Amare Stoudemire and Wade.

Three young players will be added to bring the training camp roster up to 25, with Gonzaga's Adam Morrison, Duke's J.J. Redick and Indianapolis high school star Greg Oden currently the leading candidates to get those spots.

arenas over AI? what?

.. what?

not dissing on arenas abilities, but don't they kinda have similar playing styles?

Last edited by j.23 on Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

First good thing I've heard since Colangelo took control of Team USA's selection process.

I'm not sure how this happened too. AI wanted to commit and they don't even let him try out?

AI wanted to commit and they don't even let him try out?

He 'tried out' in Athens. We all saw how good that turned out. Good riddance, I say.

That was then.. this is now.

And he wasn't that bad in Athens... Stephon was worse!

That was then.. this is now.

And he wasn't that bad in Athens... Stephon was worse!

He doesn't fit the International style of play, not by a long shot. That was a good decision.

I see your point.. but I think he could learn to play more of that style...

he wants to win the States... I think he could pass and bring the ball up and do what all international PG's do...

I think he could pass and bring the ball up and do what all international PG's do...

S/R, play zone, shoot consistently from 20 feet and the like? I highly doubt that.

Since David Stern said "No more Dream Teams", the USA hasn't been quite as dominant. They came quite close to losses a couple of times in Sydney, didn't even finish top three in a World Championship and picked up Bronze in Athens. The talk is how it's better to have role players, yet the first three USA teams to feature professionals - all following the Dream Team concept - obliterated their opponents.

Now, other countries are putting forward better basketball programs but that's even more reason to put forward the USA's best. True, we are in the age of the spoiled athlete and there are players in the NBA that just don't mix. But you find the right blend of superstar players and it will work. History has shown that.

Offering a spot to a high school player is ridiculous in my opinion. The NBA has already put a ban on making the jump from high school to the pros to prevent players from turning pro before they're ready. And now they're saying high school players can be included in what is supposed to be the best outfit the nation is supposed to put forward? Perhaps my point of view is off the mark but I just don't agree with that logic.

Offering a spot to a high school player is ridiculous in my opinion.

Thats the first thing that popped out to me while reading up about the players selected. Let's just hope they don't fall flat on their face (at least I dont believe they will). Maybe they are just bringing him for the 'experience' but I dont think he will get much minutes except a little garbage time here and there.

This really sucks no AI

A Bowen over there. Way to go Coly .

at least no Odom as well!

And Josh Howard, Arenas, Billups, DH12, Brad Miller, Amare,... I really like the potential of this team and I agree with an idea to include young players. They are building this team for a long run and it's certainly good to have someone like Oden to build around. Plus, Reddick (remember who's coaching the team?) and Morrison can kill you from the midrange and 3pt line. Oh, guess which team are they're playing first? Yup, Brezec is going to dominate .

I just can't wait for the game Slovenia -USA

Yup, Brezec is going to dominate .

why is Jamison there. Surely they could have gotten someone who does what he does and plays D too.

Gilbert Arenas, Bruce Bowen, Antawn Jamison

What Matt said above. (For Bowen, someone who also has an offense)

Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson, and Rashard Lewis?

What is USA Basketball smoking with that kind of selection?

arenas over AI? what?

.. what?

not dissing on arenas abilities, but don't they kinda have similar playing styles?

Arenas is a better 3-pt shoote, so I think that's a good choice.

why is Jamison there. Surely they could have gotten someone who does what he does and plays D too.

good rebounder and can hit the J and 3s.

Gilbert Arenas, Bruce Bowen, Antawn Jamison

What Matt said above. (For Bowen, someone who also has an offense)

Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson, and Rashard Lewis?

What is USA Basketball smoking with that kind of selection?

Bowen's in cause of his D and he can hit the 3(currently leads the NBA in 3-PT FG%).

Arenas and Jamison also can hit the 3.

Melo, JJ and Lewis for their versitility and because they can hit the outside shot.

Bowen's in cause of his D and he can hit the 3

Clarification: He can hit the CORNER 3.

It's worth the 3 not matter where he shots it from(behind the 3-pt line of course).

Bowen's in cause of his D and he can hit the 3

Clarification: He can hit the CORNER 3.

Good point. I think I remember some TNT analysts break down his shot in the playoffs, and he's like 30% shooter in the top of the stripe, but like 40% at the corners. Even so, I'm not so sure that Bowen can hit three's with a hand in his face-he gets good looks only because of Duncan.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2349009

The entire roster includes Carmelo Anthony, Arenas, Battier, Billups, Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Bryant, Dwight Howard, Josh Howard, James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Rashard Lewis, Shawn Marion, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Pierce, Redd, Ridnour, Amare Stoudemire and Wade.

Three young players will be added to bring the training camp roster up to 25, with Gonzaga's Adam Morrison, Duke's J.J. Redick and Indianapolis high school star Greg Oden currently the leading candidates to get those spots.

arenas over AI? what?

.. what?

not dissing on arenas abilities, but don't they kinda have similar playing styles?

Difference, Arenas is a more efficienct scorer, and a superior shooter. The big thing being the shooter part, since in the international game that's more important then anything else AI would bring to the team.

Would you have Iverson on your olympic team?

I don't think it would be fair for them to bring him in if they weren't planning on having him on the team, and just waste his time. Why isn't anyone whining about McGrady, Vince etc, who cares man.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2349009

T with Gonzaga's Adam Morrison, Duke's J.J. Redick and Indianapolis high school star Greg Oden currently the leading candidates to get those spots.

Greg Oden sucks ass so bad he should be a toilet bowl. I saw this guy play on the tele once and he didnt even stand out much among the midgets. Lacked stamina and hustle. He just looked like a huge pile of chicken shit.