{image1} USA basketball has announced this week that invitations have been issued to Amare Staudemire, LeBron James, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion to play in the upcoming Olympic games in Athens, Greece this summer.
After the debacle at the World Championships in 2002, USA Basketball was planning a return to dominance. Getting embarrassed by the likes of Argentina and Yugoslavia led to outrage in the media. Head of USA Basketball, Stu Jackson, called the fifth place finish a wake-up call. The recent trend of players turning down invitations to play in the Olympics wasn't exactly the plan he had in mind.
USA basketball is now in such dire straits that they have to beg players to play on this team. After they originally announced their first nine selections, players like Allen Iverson were the ones begging and pleading to be on the team. It was actually debated whether or not Iverson's addition would be good for the morale and the continuity of the team. As it stands now - where would this team be without him?
So much for the outrage of finishing fifth at the World Championships. This is our game and the stars of the NBA are coming up with just about every excuse in the book to not represent their country and put us back in the place where we rightfully belong. Again, this is our game and we have the best players, so there is no reason not to win every tournament we enter.
Yes, there are major security concerns involved with these games. In fact, it is so concerning that there is still the possibility of the games or at least the United States' participation not occurring. On the other hand, it is not like these guys will be staying in the athletes' village. Unlike the rest of the U.S. contingent, the NBA stars will stay on a yacht in the Mediterranean.
Some critics will point out that the NBA shouldn't even be involved with the Olympics. There wouldn't be an argument if the other countries wouldn't send their pros. Plus, who is kidding who? Sending our best and proving that we are the best is what sports is all about.
Barring miracle commitments from the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the United States is left with a virtual B-team of NBA stars. The excuses begin with: Shaq-fatigue, Kobe-legal troubles, Jason Kidd-injury, Ray Allen-fiancée's pregnancy, Vince Carter-wedding and Kevin Garnett-unknown. There are also rumors that Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal may also back out due to concerns about security.
That scenario would mean only two of the NBA's top ten players would have made commitments to play -- the aforementioned Iverson and Tim Duncan, who wasn't even born in this country.
The roster as of today consists of: Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, LeBron James, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson, Elton Brand, Amare Staudemire, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion and hopefully Shaq. If he doesn't play, or if anyone else decides to back out, the likely replacements will be Kenyon Martin, Lamar Odom, Sam Cassell and, or Carmello Anthony.
The squad will be coached by Larry Brown, who was recently quoted saying, "The four years that have transpired since Sydney, the teams have gotten better, the players have gotten better," Brown said. "And maybe we're not sending the very best, but we'll be well represented and I'm confident they'll do well."
Well said, Larry, but your job would be made easier if we sent our best and don't think there won't be statements of basketball apocalypse in this country if you don't bring home the gold. A player not willing to sacrifice his own schedule in order to play for his country is quite disturbing. They became wealthy here, they have become stars here, it is now time to make their country the star, and a little patriotism no matter how it is created wouldn't hurt.
