Team USA gets some new faces

6 to be exact. Since Greg Oden was enlisted last year and Kidd has been on the USA team twice(?).

LAS VEGAS, May 23, 2007 -- Selecting a dynamic mix of established veterans and remarkable young talent, USA Basketball announced today the addition of eight players to the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team program.
USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo officially announced Wednesday in Las Vegas, Nev., the addition of Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (University of Texas); Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Greg Oden (Ohio State University); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) to the Senior National Team roster.

Colangelo also confirmed that seven USA Senior National Team players would be unavailable to compete this summer because of injuries. Those players included Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat).

"One of the reasons for forming and selecting a national team is so you have flexibility. It takes into account the fact that you may have injuries, there may be special circumstances where a player can’t perform, but yet you have other players to pull from," explained Colangelo. "After the recent meeting our coaches had in Phoenix, we decided to add a couple of bigs, in particular for their rebounding and shot blocking abilities. We also decided to add some leadership in the back court and some shooters. We also recognized several players who had outstanding seasons and who we felt were deserving of this opportunity."

He continued, "Greg Oden and Kevin Durant represent the class of this season’s college ranks and are certainly players we have great interest in, both for the present and for future USA Basketball teams."

"As I said when we announced the first group of players for the Senior National Team, we’re not trying to put a collection of all-stars together but our goal is to put together as good of a basketball team as we possibly can. With the addition of these nine players, I believe we’ve strengthen our program in several areas, especially rebounding, defense and shooting," said USA and Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

The eight announced players will join 17 players previously named to the USA Basketball Senior National Team and who are expected to participate in 2007. Those USA players include: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Luke Ridnour (Seattle SuperSonics); and Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).

Krzyzewski is leading the USA Senior Team for 2006-2008, while Syracuse University (N.Y.) and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Phoenix Suns head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan will serve as assistant coaches.

I doubt J-Kidd, Boozer, and Prince will be on the team, draft of 2003 will have lots for sure, Melo, Bron, CB4 and Hinrich will make the team.

I hope lebron declines :\

Why?

OK i'm sick of this shit


To cheater: it is a fucking honor to play for your country and it makes a lebron look better if he chooses to be patriotic and do it. If he declines, he's a shallow self centered ass who cares about nothing but money. If you are asked to play for your country, i could never imagine declining, maybe its because i'm trying to get to that point, but i think its the dumbest thing ever to decline to be on the USA team.

To anthony-I'm surprised to see a post like that from you. You actually dont think J-Kidd or Boozer can make the team? Boozer dominated this year now that he's healthy again and J-kidd may not have the shot he used to but still has the best court vision i've ever seen.

wooah, ease up turbo, these are peoples opinions and they're entitled to them

Prince already accepted....too bad. Too much bball with no rest aint good.

I like Durant and Chandler on the team.. My favourite rookie and my favourite non-superstar C.. Both are great rebounders and bring a lot of energy to the team..

I like Durant and Chandler on the team.. My favourite rookie and my favourite non-superstar C.. Both are great rebounders and bring a lot of energy to the team..

That's exactly what i'm thinking two players who should be acknowledged both great players although my favourite rookie will be Mike Conley Jr. Hey makes Oden and Makes he's own game and if he goes to a team with a good scorer he could make them even better.

Although Talking bout Favourite rookies, thats off topic so back on topic so going back on topic

The eight announced players will join 17 players previously named to the USA Basketball Senior National Team and who are expected to participate in 2007. Those USA players include: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Luke Ridnour (Seattle SuperSonics); and Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).

Thats it i've had enough WHERE THE HELL IS HAMILTON i'm sick of him being un-acknowledged he's porbably the best off-ball mover and shooter, he can get to the basket and is a great finisher, and honestly if your'e going to argue there's no room please don't tell me Ridnour, Redick, Morrison are more deserving

EDIT: Talking about favourite rookies has given me an idea
Thnx -KM-

Hamilton previously declined.

With the improvement of Stoudemire and Howard along with Bosh this year i think USA's big men woes are over and if Kobe plays i think this team can once again go back to the top. The previous team was way too young in my opinion and people like Kidd, Bryant and Bowen need to be in the team for stability.

Team USA didn't lose because of their big men, who never even saw the ball unless it was out on the perimeter.

USA lost because they were incapable of playing team defense, as Greece (of all teams) shot 65% from the field, running 1 play the pick & roll.

There's no riddle, everyone knows that Team USA needs roleplayers/defenders, but it's always stars that end up going because it's an important marketing campaign for both companies like Nike and for the NBA in other countries.

The previous Team USAs won because in that era stars had to be good on the defensive end as well, Jordan, Pippen, Robinson, Duncan, JKidd, Gary Payton, etc..

I don't even bother following up on Team USA, it's turned into an international All-Star game for the US.

if USA had Tay & Rasheed running the P&R D it'd be game over for everyone.

Isn't it funny how JJ Redick and Adam Morrison are on the team. Two really good college players but now they're shit.

wooah, ease up turbo, these are peoples opinions and they're entitled to them

Right, but why would you want your favorite player to look like an ass? just curious. Maybe it doesnt look that way to everyone, but it certainly does to me. Too much basketball isnt good for you? You think they dont train and play over the summer anyway? If they didnt, they couldnt be in the NBA. The whole reason the USA finally lost is our best players started being self centered and declining and we ended up with more of an alternate team than an allstar team.

Whoa,
It is an honor to play for your country, but I personally want LeBron to take the summer off and get his head straight a little bit, because he was a little funky this season.

I personally just want him to get some rest this year and maybe go back in the future.

I think camby already declined to be with his family too.

going to the playoffs and beatin the spurs ass to tie a 2-2.. is that funky? or furious..