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ESPN: Lebron and Marbury picked over Francis for the Olympics

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rockets34Legend, May 11, 2004.

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  1. Rockets34Legend

    Rockets34Legend Member

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    Nothing mentioned about SF, but Lebron getting picked over Francis? Hmm..

    http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=1799830&partnersite=espn

    LeBron James, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion will be invited to join the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, sources told The Associated Press.

    The USA Basketball Selection committee held a conference call Tuesday to choose several replacement players on a roster that will be missing several of the best American players.

    Three sources with knowledge of the selection committee's actions, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. federation had decided to add the 19-year-old James, the NBA's Rookie of the Year, as the likely replacement at shooting guard for Kobe Bryant.

    Marbury was added to replace Jason Kidd, who has indicated he'll likely withdraw, and Marion will provide depth at forward with Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone not expected to participate.

    The committee is still awaiting definitive word from Shaquille O'Neal, who has said his decision will depend in part on how far the Los Angeles Lakers advance in the NBA playoffs.

    Tim Duncan reaffirmed his commitment to play last weekend, and Jermaine O'Neal, Richard Jefferson and Allen Iverson also will be member of the American team that will open training camp in late July.

    "A lot of guys that were selected are now up in the air," U.S. coach Larry Brown said, "but I feel comfortable with the guys I'm going to go with."

    The latest players to waver are Tracy McGrady of Orlando and Mike Bibby of Sacramento.

    Vince Carter has already withdrawn citing his wedding plans, and Ray Allen has said he will not play because of the upcoming birth of a child.

    Malone has not officially withdrawn, though he has made it clear that nobody should expect to see him in Athens.

    Bryant has said it is unlikely he will play, though he left his options open in the event his sexual assault trial in Colorado is scheduled for September or later.

    Sources told the AP that if Shaquille O'Neal decides to sit out the Olympics, Kenyon Martin of New Jersey and Lamar Odom of Miami are among the players being discussed as possible replacements. If Bibby withdraws, Sam Cassell is the leading candidate to replace him, and Ron Artest and Carmelo Anthony are among the names being discussed to replace McGrady, if he backs out.

    If he accepts, James would become the youngest member of the team.

    He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.8 rebounds for the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming one of the league's top road attractions while leading the revitalization of that franchise.

    Marbury, an eight-year veteran point guard for the New York Knicks, previously played for USA Basketball in 1994 at the Junior Olympics.

    Marion, a five-year NBA veteran, was a member of the U.S. national team that finished a disappointing sixth at the 2002 World Championships. That team was the first American team with NBA players to lose at an international competition since professional players began competing at the Olympics in 1992.

    "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."
     
    #1 Rockets34Legend, May 11, 2004
  2. hikanoo49

    hikanoo49 Member

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    he should go play for China with Yao.
     
    #2 hikanoo49, May 11, 2004
  3. KaiSeR SoZe

    KaiSeR SoZe Member

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    This years dream team sucks! Nothing can compare to 92 or 96 heck even 00 had great players

    it seems no one wants to play this year
     
    #3 KaiSeR SoZe, May 11, 2004
  4. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    Stu Jackson's list of Possible National Team replacement players

    1. Lebron James
    2. Stephon Marbury
    3. Baron Davis
    4. Jimmy Driftwood
    5. Tierre Brown
    6. Moochie Norris
    7. Trent Tucker
    8. Scott Brooks
    9. Lil Bow-Wow
    10. All NBA players, current & former, A-Z
    11. All NCAA players, current & former, A-Z
    12. Spring Valley Junior High B-Team members, A-Z
    13. Dennis Rodman
    14. Jason Williams
    15. Jay Williams
    16. Jayson Williams
    17. Sean Kemp
    18. Sean Kemp's illegitimate children, A-Z
    19. Len Bias
    20. Roy Jones Jr.
    21. Osama Bin Laden
    22. Terrence Morris
    23. Steve Francis
     
    #4 SamFisher, May 11, 2004
  5. m_cable

    m_cable Member

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    Umm. Actually Steve is tied with Frankie Muniz for the #23 spot.
     
    #5 m_cable, May 11, 2004
  6. rikesh316

    rikesh316 Member

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    Marbury is better than Francis hands down.
     
    #6 rikesh316, May 11, 2004
  7. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    Good catch, though I'm pretty sure Muniz and William Hung have each passed Francis since I typed that....
     
    #7 SamFisher, May 11, 2004
  8. sup123

    sup123 Member

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    who really cares?

    But marbury is better than francis and lebron plays a d/f position than steve so that shouldnt even be mentioned. I think Cassel should be ahead of marbury though.
     
    #8 sup123, May 11, 2004
  9. daNasty

    daNasty Member

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    Now doesn't this tell us something about Francis? Olympics is a team game and they know Stevie aint no team player and little passing ability.
     
    #9 daNasty, May 11, 2004
  10. darkwarrior

    darkwarrior Member

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    the hell up danasty
     
    #10 darkwarrior, May 11, 2004
  11. Relativist

    Relativist Member

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    I have no problem with LeBron, although his selection is as much a marketing decision as it is a talent one. I'm not as sold on Davis over Francis. I'd probably go with B-Dub between the two, but I don't consider Davis' game that much better suited for the Olympics. I guess he has the edge because of his experience and because he can (sorry, Steve) play more of a point guard role. If he wasn't a rookie, I'd strongly consider Hinrich over Davis.
     
    #11 Relativist, May 11, 2004
  12. KaiSeR SoZe

    KaiSeR SoZe Member

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    as a rocket fan I think Steve should be on the team
     
    #12 KaiSeR SoZe, May 11, 2004
  13. AMS

    AMS Member

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    i second, third and fourth that motion...

    F*** stu jackson.
     
    #13 AMS, May 11, 2004
  14. Blake

    Blake Member

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    marbury and lebron had better years statistically. marbury is a better point guard and Lebron is already a better team player.

    Steve is good enough to be there, though
     
    #14 Blake, May 11, 2004
  15. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    Why am I not suprised. As long as Stu Jackson is running things, SF will NEVER be considered for a U.S. Team.
     
    #15 gucci888, May 11, 2004
  16. CriscoKidd

    CriscoKidd Member

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    I don't see what the big fuss is, they should go in before SF does anyway.
     
    #16 CriscoKidd, May 11, 2004
  17. user

    user Member

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    What's the fuss about it? No socalled true fans want Yao to play for the Chinese NT and then there are fans arguing that SF should be in the US NT? Well, you guys are not True Rockets FANS by some people's dictionary.

    And US will not win the championship at Olympic this year, anyway. So why bother? (Neither will Chinese NT team, of course.)
     
    #17 user, May 11, 2004
  18. SamCassell

    SamCassell Member

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    Ridiculous. LeBron is going to be an incredible player, soon, but there are 10 - 12 players passed over who deserved the selection more than he did.

    And Sammie Cassell deserved an all-star nomination before Starbury or Francis.
     
    #18 SamCassell, May 11, 2004
  19. Sane

    Sane Member

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    This Stu Jackson thing is ridiculous.

    Francis is just not as good for international competition as the other players, it's that simple.

    They like to look at pure shooting, range, maturity, and defense when picking these players, because the complex zones that international teams put up are too good to be broken down by a Steve Francis.

    Stephon Marbury averages 9 assists with less than 3 TO's I believe, so he can do way more than score - he can actually set his teammates up. I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem being pass-first on a team full of superstars, unlike his Knicks.
     
    #19 Sane, May 11, 2004
  20. m_cable

    m_cable Member

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    So why bother? SO WHY BOTHER? I guess you're right. Let's pull out of the Olympics since user said that it would be pointless. :rolleyes:



    So I guess the Chinese NT shouldn't bother either.

    A word of advice, when you're trying to point out a hypocritical double standard, don't have a hypocritical double standard of your own in the same post.
     
    #20 m_cable, May 11, 2004
    Last edited: May 12, 2004
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