Iverson and O'Neal in the Olympics

[Colin]

Allen Iverson and Jermaine O'Neal will be asked to join the 2004 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, a source told The Associated Press on Thursday.


The decision was made in a conference call among members of the USA Basketball selection committee, a basketball source with knowledge of the selections said on condition of anonymity.


The choices of Iverson and O'Neal bring to nine the number of players who have been either selected or officially named to the team.


USAB only has said publicly that Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd and Tracy McGrady are on the team. Further announcements will be made to include the additions of Iverson, O'Neal, Mike Bibby, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant.


Iverson's selection fulfills one of his wishes and sets him up to play for his Philadelphia 76ers coach, Larry Brown, on the national team.


O'Neal, who plays for the Indiana Pacers, will become the first member of the U.S. team that finished sixth last summer at the World Championships to be invited back to play for Team USA.

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One word...YES!!! I'm glad AI is on the team, although I can't say I expected them to choose him as he might be considered to 'gangsta' for them.

[Andrew]

It's good that USA Basketball was able to look past the image and recognise the player in their attempt to go back to the original Dream Team formula, but I wonder if they'll ask (or rather, tell) Iverson to clean up his image/stay out of trouble etc, else lose his spot on the team. I remember reading that Charles Barkley was not selected for the 1984 Olympic team because he was "undisciplined".

So does this mean they're relaxing their view on players who have at times been at the centre of controversy, or do they have plans to try and change Iverson's image and persona?

[scubilete]

Or maybe they did to see if they can have Shaq back in the team, something I don't think Shaq is going to do, but since he said he wouldn't be in the team if Iverson was not going, then maybe they wanted to motivate Shaq to join the group.

[Andrew]

I think that would be in vain though, given that Larry Brown is coaching, and doesn't exactly have a cordial relationship with Shaq. Didn't Shaq make a quip along the lines of if Brown was selected as coach, he'd have knee problems in 2004?

[Andrew]

Speaking of O'Neals, the one who has been invited along with Iverson has accepted the invitation.

[scubilete]

given that Larry Brown is coaching, and doesn't exactly have a cordial relationship with Shaq.

Yes, that's why I said I didn't think Shaq would join the group. The participation of KG is still with a question mark as his answer hasn't been received but Shaq is not going. I believe the real Dream Team of this competition would be if they had Shaq, Duncan, KG, T-mac & Kobe in the starting 5. No need of a PG in the starting 5 when you have those players.

[Boyk]

lol yes very true about the starting 5 Scub.

you get about 18 assists from the kobe,t-mac and KG anyway.
and they can all distribute the ball.

but shaq wont be there, so im sayin............C: Duncan Pf: KG Sf: T-Mac Sg:Kobe Pg:Probably Iverson seeings how Larry Brown is caoching

[Andrew]

Bibby and Malone have officially been named to the team. With Bibby on the team, as well as Brown coaching, I pretty sure Shaq will have knee problems in 2004.

[Boyk]

how can they add bibby for gods sake!!!
geez he had one good playoff series now all of a sudden hes a top 5 point guard or somthing, representing America!
hes no good unless hes getting a pick from C-Webb and pulling up for the jumper.
damn that annoys me!

[Rens]

hes no good unless hes getting a pick from C-Webb and pulling up for the jumper.

I'd say Malone should be able to set a pick or two...