Well, the NBA is trying to go for more team oriented players, which is why Malone was picked over Garnett, Webber, Wallace, Walker, etc....I still think Collison needs to sit at home and wait his turn, instead of getting a sympathy invite...
I don't think it's a question of how good these guys are. The non-core guys are supposed to be competent and team players and have good character. I don't think they are supposed to be the best available.
I know, for some idiotic reason, it's like we usually have to take a respectful young fundamentally sound "hard-working" player like choosing Laettner over Shaq. And Laettner turned out to be such a hard worker in the pro's. This is so silly. There's always the automatic assumption that a white player isn't as good of an athlete and thus must automatically be a "hard worker" to compensate; and vice versa with black athletes. Just pick the best damn players for god's sake. The wake-up call from last summer is that we can't send our B-team out there anymore and expect to win.
Try thinking it again. Who is more willing to sit on the bench, be the 10th-12th man and play 0-5 minutes a game? "Average" pros like Brand, Jefferson, a college guy or "superstars" like Steve Francis, Pierce, Lebron, Anthony?
Valid point, but it still must seem like a slap in the face to other young all-stars to be passed up for these guys.
It also could be that there are 3 tier-1 players (like Kevin Garnett) who want to play in the Olympics but don't want to bother with the qualifying tournament. So, they have a fill-in to take those 3 spots for the qualifier but they need to use players that can get cut in favor of the KGs without a bunch of hoopla.
Now what are his chances of being on the Team.....since he now has legal problems like Webber? http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/04/30/warriors_richardson_ap/ Warriors' Richardson arrested Posted: Wednesday April 30, 2003 1:49 PM Updated: Wednesday April 30, 2003 3:00 PM SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- Golden State Warrior and former Michigan State star Jason Richardson was freed on bond after being charged with domestic violence following an altercation with his ex-girlfriend at her Saginaw County home. The Saginaw Arthur Hill High School graduate faces a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both, if convicted of the misdemeanor. Richardson was arraigned Wednesday in Saginaw County District Court. Bond was set at $5,000 or 10 percent. "He's gone. Someone was there for him and posted the bond," a court clerk said Wednesday afternoon. No other details, including a trial date, were immediately available. Richardson was arrested shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Saginaw Township Police Chief Stephen Renico said. Police had received a call from Richardson's ex-girlfriend stating that "there had been an altercation at her residence," Renico said. Richardson was gone when police arrived at the woman's house but "from what the officers saw, we had sufficient evidence at the scene" to arrest him, Renico said. The Warriors forward was scheduled to appear at a United Way of Saginaw County lunch Wednesday, The Saginaw News reported. Richardson had agreed to be the charity's official spokesman for its Young America Cares youth program. United Way officials say they will not yet consider whether to dismiss Richardson as a spokesman. "A person is innocent until he's proven guilty. We don't know all the facts. We don't know what took place," said Gerald Little, president of the United Way of Saginaw County. Richardson averaged 15.6 points and 4.6 rebounds this season. He turned pro two years ago following two seasons at Michigan State.
Jefferson is exactly what our Olympic team needs: A solid role player who can finish and play good D.
Not sure why you quoted me... But, regardless, I think anyone would be happy to play for the US team.
they've said clearly that there is a core 9 who will not only play this summer, but in the olympics for sure. The people beyond the core 9 are not being given this guarantee...they are just fillers who could change. like for instance, McDyess might come back at full health by Summer 2004. or the non-core 9 just might not fill in the roles that the core-9 are missing, and they'll realize they need more pure shooters, for instance.
Are you serious? If the USAB was looking for players to make a "team" contribution, why not pick Webber? He is the best passer out of the post in the game today, with the possible exception of Vlade. Post passing makes an offense work, you need this team USA. Garnett does freakin everything. We all know the kid can handle, shot outside, post up, D-up any body on the court, pass, etc... Garnett is the prefect type of player to guard the prototype Euro player, ie Dirk. He can guard the 7 footer who runs the perimeter with his size and speed. Malone? He can't guard a player like Dirk. Sure he could hit him with some bows, but Dirk could shoot over and drive around him all day. And team player? Malone? The same one who will play until he is 60 if necessary to break an individual record? Please.
Hmm it's call Olympic Affirmative action.. Don't let the Spirite commercial fool you...Image is EVERYTHING.
