http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=1761345 By Marc Stein ESPN.com With at least three spots still open on its Olympic roster, USA Basketball is extending formal invitations to Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett, ESPN.com has learned. USAB officials, according to sources, are increasingly optimistic that both All-Stars will agree to sign on, which would significantly strengthen an American squad somewhat short on size. Garnett's participation is seen as the more likely of the two. Should they accept, O'Neal and Garnett would join a frontcourt rotation that, at present, is limited to Tim Duncan, Jermaine O'Neal and Karl Malone. But Shaq and KG have been noncommittal about their plans publicly, both saying they are torn between representing their country again and letting new faces carry the flag. Nine of the 12 roster spots are filled by players who were picked to play last summer in Puerto Rico, where the United States qualified for the Athens Games. They are: Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, Kobe Bryant, Duncan, Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Malone, Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal. Bryant didn't play for the qualifying team after being accused of sexual assualt in Colorado and was replaced by Vince Carter. Malone was a late withdrawal after the death of his mother and was replaced by Kenyon Martin. Last summer's team also included Elton Brand, Nick Collison and Richard Jefferson, but those three -- along with Carter and Martin -- were given no guarantees they'd be picked for the actual Olympic team. Additional roster spots could open even if Shaquille O'Neal and/or Garnett accept the invitations. Bryant's forthcoming trial could prevent him from playing, and it remains to be seen whether Duncan and Malone -- both slowed by knee injuries this season -- will be willing or able to play through the most lengthy preparations undertaken by a U.S. national team stocked with NBA players. Coach Larry Brown will convene the group in Florida on July 26 and work with it for more than a month, with exhibition stops scheduled in Germany, Serbia and Montenegro, and Turkey before proceeding to Athens. The Olympics are Aug. 15-28. Carter and Brand are the favorites to claim roster spots depending on what remains open after O'Neal and Garnett make their decisions. Brad Miller, Ben Wallace and Martin also have been mentioned as frontcourt possibilities if Team USA ends up needing size. Chris Webber and Zach Randolph have not been considered by the selection committee to date, with USAB officials continuing to place a huge emphasis on good citizenship in addition to on-court qualifications. Webber and Randolph have faced high-profile legal issues in recent months; Bryant, by contrast, has not been affected by the charges against him because they came after he was selected. Brown and potential teammates have been pushing for the participation of O'Neal and Garnett in hopes of sending the strongest possible squad to Greece. Since NBA players started participating in 1992, Team USA is unbeaten in winning three gold medals; however, the Americans were nearly beaten twice by Lithuania at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. USA Basketball, meanwhile, is still reeling from its three losses -- resulting in a sixth-place finish -- at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- personally I'd love to see Steve Francis go against Yao in the Olympics. That would be amazing to watch. But for some reason Steve doesn't get a look by the selection committee. If players like Mike Bibby, Andre Miller, and Baron Davis have been given a shot to play then Steve should get a look also.
James' Olympic shot improves By Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal staff writer CLEVELAND - With the Cavaliers streaking and fresh news about the U.S. Olympic basketball team, the possibility of LeBron James' inclusion this summer in Athens is heating up. According to reports, USA Basketball, which selects the U.S. team, extended invitations to Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett this week. As many as three spot could remain open on the 13-man team, though the final roster is far from being set. With James' continued excellent play -- he leads all rookies in scoring and is a front-runner for Rookie of the Year award -- some expect him to be a candidate for the Olympic team. "I have to think that he is under their consideration," James' agent, Aaron Goodwin, said Wednesday. "He's had a terrific year." Since NBA pros started playing in the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, no rookie has been invited to play with the team (though Duke's Christian Laettner was on the original 1992 Dream Team). Regardless, James' status in the league might not yet have him on the short list. He was not selected by the coaches to be a reserve on this season's All-Star team. However James is a favorite of Olympic head coach Larry Brown and on USA Basketball's radar screen. "LeBron's name has been discussed, but he has not been extended an invitation," NBA vice president Stu Jackson, the league's representative to USA Basketball, told ESPN.com. "I'm sure if he keeps playing the way he's been playing, he'll be considered," Olympic head coach Larry Brown said earlier this season. "It really depends on the makeup of the team. It is pretty heavy at his position." The squad is already set at guard with Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady and Mike Bibby. But Bryant might not play due to legal proceedings on a sexual assault charge in Colorado. Allen is also rumored to be mulling giving up his spot because his fiancee is due to deliver their child around the time of the Games. Vince Carter, Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony could be candidates for a spot. James has previously indicated an interest in playing for the national team, which he said "would be an honor." There is still time to make the decision. Brown will begin holding practices in late July. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=knight-jamesolympicshotimproves&prov=knight&type=lgns
