Team USA makes a run at Jordan BY SAM SMITH Can Michael Jordan save the U.S.A.? Actually, the question is whether Michael Jordan can save USA Basketball. The U.S. organization that sponsors teams for international Olympic-style basketball events has an NBA team opening training this week for the FIBA World Basketball Championships this month in Indianapolis. With the top NBA stars like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett not participating, this could be the first time a U.S. professional team loses in international competition. And with the games in Indianapolis in the off-season, it is expected to be difficult for sponsors to sell tickets. That is why USA Basketball officials, according to committee sources, have approached Jordan privately about joining the team, which begins training Friday in San Francisco. Committee insiders say they believe it is a long shot that Jordan would be interested. But the thinking has been that if Jordan decides not to play for the Washington Wizards this season, the world championships would be an appropriate stage to set up a possible Jordan farewell at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. That would provide Jordan a perfect bookend to his professional basketball career, which began in 1984 when he starred on the U.S. Olympic team. Plus some great players, like Larry Bird in 1992, finished their careers by representing their country but weren't called on to play much. And even if Jordan decides to return to the Wizards, joining the U.S. team would give him an opportunity to begin getting in shape for the NBA season. Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Ray Allen withdrew from the team Friday because he has not completely recovered a left knee injury that kept him out of 13 games last season. Committee members want to insert Jordan in that spot. Nets guard Jason Kidd recently left the team because of injury and was replaced by New Orleans guard Baron Davis. The Bulls' No. 1 draft pick, Jay Williams, is an alternate for the team. If USA Basketball cannot find a suitable replacement for Allen, Williams could be added to the roster. If Jordan or another player is selected, Williams still will practice with the team until the tournament begins Aug. 29. The U.S. opens against Algeria that night. The U.S. will play an exhibition Aug. 22 in Oakland against China and No. 1 overall draft pick Yao Ming. Williams will be eligible to play in that game and an Aug. 25 exhibition against Germany in Portland, Ore. But the hope among committee members is that Jordan will agree to play. One of the committee members is former NBA player Quinn Buckner, who remains a close friend and golfing partner of Jordan's. He is expected to travel with the team, and with 10 days of training on the West Coast, some among the committee hope Buckner's presence would interest Jordan. And the coach is George Karl, a fellow University of North Carolina alumnus who plays with Jordan in the frequent reunion golf outings in Chapel Hill. As usual, Jordan's plans for the coming NBA season are unclear. Friends say Jordan, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in February, hasn't been working out much. It is doubtful he could go through a rigorous tournament schedule and then hold up through another 82-game season, though he could likely dictate his schedule regarding his Team USA commitments. While Wizards staffers say they expect Jordan to honor the final season of his two-year deal, insiders in the organization doubt Jordan will play again. But no official announcement is likely since it could hurt season-ticket sales. And as those close to Jordan know, he is capable of changing his mind at any time. That's what some among the USA Basketball committee hope. They have received no sign of Jordan's interest. But because Jordan has transcended American basketball, they hope he would want to use this tournament as an international stage. The world championships is considered a major event outside the U.S. and followed with World Cup-like fervor in some countries with major basketball leagues. The U.S. team includes the Clippers' Elton Brand and Andre Miller, the Raptors' Antonio Davis, the Mavericks' Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz, the Suns' Shawn Marion, the Pacers' Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal, the Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Pistons' Ben Wallace. It is arguably the lowest star-quality squad the U.S. has sent to an international competition since the last team of collegians in 1988. The addition of Jordan, especially if viewed as a world farewell, could provide the missing excitement to sell tickets for a tournament that will have teams like Algeria, Lebanon and Turkey playing in Conseco Fieldhouse and the RCA Dome in the middle of the week in early September. Though Jordan always has been wary about his presence being used primarily for commercial purposes to benefit others, it is possible the companies he endorses could see the tournament as an opportunity to again expand Jordan's commercial reach if he doesn't play in the NBA this season. Copyright 2002 Chicago Tribune In one word Publicity stunt....if all the rosters are full then how does jordan fit in?...Steve getting robbed again.
The U.S. team includes the Clippers' Elton Brand and Andre Miller, the Raptors' Antonio Davis, the Mavericks' Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz, the Suns' Shawn Marion, the Pacers' Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal, the Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Pistons' Ben Wallace. It is arguably the lowest star-quality squad the U.S. has sent to an international competition since the last team of collegians in 1988. This team will still win the championship, albeit with a few close games.
Steve needs to get his peppy ass healthy for the preseason camp for all I care. Does anyone seriously think the US team will lose? The chances are more likely now than the Olympics, but still... Anyways, Jordan needs more summer rest than Shaq. It would be a pleasant surprise if he accepted.
