Zach Randolph Seeks Team USA Invitation By Chris Tomasson DENVER -- Team USA was short on tall guys for last summer's FIBA World Championship in Turkey. If there are any thoughts about needing another big man for the 2012 Olympics in London, Zach Randolph is ready to volunteer. "That would be something I would like to do,'' the Memphis forward said before Sunday's game at Denver. "I'd definitely like to play on the USA team, and be able to tell my kids I did play for the USA team.'' Randolph, an All-Star for the first time last season, said he's wanted to play for Team USA for years. But he said he's never received any feelers. "I've always wanted to play,'' said Randolph, 29, a 10-year veteran. "A couple of years ago, when I was in Portland, coach (Nate) McMillan went down there with the guys (and Randolph was hoping for an invite of his own).'' McMillan was named a Team USA assistant in 2006, a position he will hold at least through the 2012 Olympics. McMillan coached Randolph with the Trail Blazers from 2005-07. "I'd definitely be interested,'' Randolph said of a Team USA invite. "I'll keep working and ... they might need me.'' The 6-foot-9 Randolph, who entered Sunday averaging 16.6 points and 11.4 rebounds, is due to become a free agent next summer after making $17.33 million in the final year of his deal. Randolph had told FanHouse last April he believes he's worthy of getting a contract extension similar to the three-year, $57 million one Lakers star Pau Gasol got last December. And Randolph told FanHouse about an extension last month, "I want to do it now.'' But Randolph has pulled back. He now says that he's going to let his agent, Raymond Brothers, worry about that while he concentrates on "playing ball.'' Randolph said he'd even now be content if nothing were to get done until next summer. "That's cool,'' he said. Randolph also would consider it pretty cool if he's playing for Team USA in the summer of 2012. Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter@christomasson http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/05/zach-randolph-seeks-team-usa-invitation/
Git'r dunn McMillan? Do we not have anyone better for the Olympics? I'm sure the Olympics will be different than the FIBA world champs, since most think it's quite inferior. Superstars like Bosh and his minions in Kobe, LerBon, Wade, and them will be in this team and the bigs will not be too much of a problem. Sorry Zach, your overpaid buttox will not be necessary.
Did a reporter ask him about Team USA or did Z-Bo mention it without prompting? If he was asked, this is a non-story. If Z-Bo brought it up, he is insulting everyone's intelligence. He knows Nate McMillan isn't about to do him any favors because his behavior in Portland wasn't very good. That's one name involved he doesn't want to bring up. Secondly, it's obvious that any player not on Team USA in 2008 or 2010 doesn't have a shot at 2012. Especially an older, veteran guy like Randolph with a "checkered" past. Only two guys have even a slim and none chance: John Wall and Blake Griffin. And slim left.
With the stories of Lebron being a diva and a douchebag at the previous Olympics, he may not be a lock for 2012.
If they welcome him back with open arms, can we finally put these stories about Lebron being such a cancer to rest?
Wasn't he a douchebag in restaurants though? I don't think this was towards his coaches/staff or teammates. I'm sure the coaches doesn't mind too much since they have bigger things to worry about to even notice... and we all know his teammates all love to suckle his teats, so we probably won't hear any complaints from them. Either way, I would love for the dream team to win the gold without the Miami Heat.
So much for MemphisX's fantasy that Z-Bo will remain in Memphis. OTH maybe they will give Z-Bo Pau Gasol money....so we can sign Marc Gasol afterwards
