USA National Team 2012 Olympics

[CKR13]

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose who was a member of Team USA winning the Championship in Turkey, recently was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune on several topics. On the bouts of questions, the tribune asked if Rose would want the opportunity to represent the country in the Olympic Basketball Tournament in London, 2012.

Rose was quoted with the following statements suggesting strong interests in playing for Team USA in the 2012 Olympics:

"I really want it. "That's something I can brag about to my kids if they play sports. Like if they win a championship, it doesn't matter, I won a gold medal. Until you win one of them, that's when you can come talk to me."

"I told them, some way, somehow, let me get on the team. I'll be the towel boy, whatever-boy, doesn't matter. Just let me be on it."

"We're basketball players. We just love playing, all the players were cool guys. They're good people. That beats everything. If you have a cool guy, it doesn't matter, you'll click on the court."

[CKR13]

Los Angeles Lakers forward and member of Team USA that won the World Championship in Turkey, Lamar Odom has expressed interests in re-enlisting for Team USA in the 2012 London Basketball Olympics. In an interview with the Los Angeles Insider, Odom gave the following statements suggesting strong interests:

Asked about a potentiall third championship and a Gold Medal:

"I want more of everything. I want it all. I want a gold in the Olympics, as many rings as I can get, because you don't know how long this is going to last. Wanna keep racking 'em up. I'm not sure about London, but hopefully."

Asked about what is the difference between representing the country and playing for the Los Angeles Lakers:

It's a different kind of pride. You're standing on the podium and your flag is being raised, your head can go off. This is a grind and winning the NBA championship is a little different, but at the end of the day, winning is winning. If you're a winner and you've won before you can understand how it feels and you can appreciate it."

[Theskyisalandfil]

The U.S definitely still have a very deep talent pool. Tbh I would be happy with any combo of the 2008 and 2010 guys (the latter of whom if anything were more impressive), and quietly confident of gold. Looking forward to watching them.

[NorCal]

The U.S definitely still have a very deep talent pool. Tbh I would be happy with any combo of the 2008 and 2010 guys (the latter of whom if anything were more impressive), and quietly confident of gold. Looking forward to watching them.

You really think that the 2010 was more impressive than the 2008 team? The numbers don't back that up, plus the 2008 team played against a tougher field.

I think the only thing more impressive about the 2010 team is they won and most people didn't think they would.

[CKR13]

Portland Trailblazers guard Brandon Roy has also expressed interest in participating for Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics Basketball tournament. Roy was interviewed by the Oregonian (Newspaper) and Roy was quoted with the following statements suggesting interest:

"I still hope so; besides winning the NBA championship, that also has been a dream of mine to have a gold medal.

"If there's a chance, I'm healthy and playing well and somebody can't play that year, you never know what happens. I would love to try to play. If they are looking for a reserve, I would raise my hand and say, 'Here I am.' I would love to try then if the opportunity presents itself.''

Asked why he could not play for Team USA in the recently concluded FIBA World Championships:

"It was more health. I just didn't think it's the smartest decision for by body going through an 82-game season and playoffs. My knees need to rest rather than going out and playing another month and a half of basketball."

"I was invited, and I had to decline and it was a tough decision. I sat down and talked to just about everybody about it. My coach and my family, they wanted me to play. But I know my body and I know how it feels so I just respectfully declined the offer.''

[NorCal]

Portland Trailblazers guard Brandon Roy has also expressed interest in participating for Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics Basketball tournament. Roy was interviewed by the Oregonian (Newspaper) and Roy was quoted with the following statements suggesting interest:







Asked why he could not play for Team USA in the recently concluded FIBA World Championships:

I think I may have mentioned this in another post but I was very disappointed that Roy didn't try out for the W.C. team this past summer and that he has been lukewarm about playing for the national team in the past. I think his game is perfectly suited for the international rules.

I also have a bad feeling his window will be closed by 2012, I think the cumulative affect of his injuries are going to wind down his career earlier than he would like. Also, there are a number of great up and coming PG/SG/Wings that may surpass him by that time as well.

[CKR13]

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was a guest in Team USA and Duke Men's Basketball Coach Mike Kyrzyzewski's Radio Show titled: SIRIUS XM radio show,

Kyrzyzewski asked Bryant about if he is committed to play for Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics Basketball Tournament.

Bryant said:

“You guys want me there, I am there and I’m ready to defend,” Bryant said. “And then when you guys need me to put some points on the board I’ll do that, too.”

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Kobe could be the veteran mentor that Jason Kidd had done for Team USA in 2008.

[mvblair]

Kobe could be the veteran mentor that Jason Kidd had done for Team USA in 2008.

Kobe would be nice for the team, but Dwight Howard would be much more important. We've got plenty of SG/SFs but we lack big men. The big men will make or break the team.

[CKR13]

Kobe would be nice for the team, but Dwight Howard would be much more important. We've got plenty of SG/SFs but we lack big men. The big men will make or break the team.

After the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dwight Howard was interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel and Howard has expressed willingness and a strong interest in playing for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympics:

“I’ll probably play ofcourse. It’s another chance to represent our country."

[CKR13]

Miami HEAT forward LeBron James has also pledged to play for Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics according to the Associated Press relayed by Yahoo! Sports

MIAMI (AP)—LeBron James(notes) has made another decision: He wants to be an Olympian again.

The Miami Heat forward said Thursday that he would “love to be a part” of the 2012 U.S. men’s basketball team at the London Olympics and help defend the gold medal the Americans won in the Beijing Games. And if U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski wants him back, James says he’s just a phone call away.

“Coach K has my number. I have his number,” James said. “If he needs me, I’m there.”

The U.S. clinched a spot in the 2012 field by winning the world championship this summer, with that team led by Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant(notes)—a close pal of James. Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant(notes) of the Los Angeles Lakers said earlier this week that he’d also like to play on the 2012 squad.

“You guys want me there, I am there and I’m ready to defend,” Bryant said Tuesday on Krzyzewski’s SIRIUS XM radio show. “And then when you guys need me to put some points on the board, I’ll do that, too.”

James’ teammates in Miami would also figure to be in the Olympic consideration mix. Chris Bosh(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) were also part of the “Redeem Team” in Beijing, but Wade has said at least twice in the past few days that he has no timetable for making up his mind.

James, Wade, Carmelo Anthony(notes), Dwight Howard(notes) and Chris Paul(notes) also skipped worlds in Istanbul this summer, but Anthony and Paul—also friends of Miami’s two-time reigning NBA MVP—have already said they want to be part of the mix in London.

If he plays in 2012, it would be James’ third Olympics.

“I would love to be a part of that team,” James said. “I think it’s an unbelievable thing to represent your country. If Coach K needs me to be a part of that team, I’m available. Hopefully I’m healthy enough to be a part of that team. But I’m always up for the Olympics and representing my country.

[CKR13]

Miami HEAT forward LeBron James has insisted again on his willingness to play for Team USA in the London 2012 Olympics.

In an interview with the Miami Herald, James was quoted:

"I would love to be a part of that team. If coach Mike Krzyzewski needs me to be a part of that team, I'm available. Hopefully I'm healthy enough to be a part of that team. Coach K has my number."

[CKR13]

New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire has expressed interest in playing for Team USA in the London 2012 Olympics. Stoudemire was quoted in an interview with the NY-Post:

"You want to make sure you stay healthy and be ready for the regular season. But I think three years of staying in shape, I think it will all work out."

It is noted that Stoudemire has expressed interest in joining Team USA on the recently concluded FIBA 2010 World Championships in Turkey, but the New York Knicks have discussed insurance and injury concerns with Stoudemire after the latter signed a contract worth $100 Million in a span of five years.

[CKR13]

Teammates of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade of the Miami HEAT were also interviewed by the Miami Herald tonight about their thoughts regarding playing for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympics.

A day after James has expressed strong interests in playing for Team USA in the coming 2012 Olympics, Bosh and Wade were respectively interviewed and were quoted with the following statements:

Bosh: "I'm just focused on right now, there's too much going on in my life right now to try to think about that. Once the season is over and the summer comes we'll talk about it."

Wade: "It is a ways off, I've got a lot of other things to worry about that I deal with off the court. I'm not there to where I have to make a decision. I'm glad those guys said that and they're going to play for our team. When the time comes it will be made but it will be a collective decision that I'll make with my family."

[CKR13]

USA Basketball is planning to organize a small training camp come summer 2011 for the initial pool of players to be selected for the London Olympics 2010 according to USA Basketball Chairman and NBA Representative Jerry Colangelo in a press statement released for ESPN and USAToday. The training camp's date is TBA (To Be Announced) and is most likely in mid August 2011. A single exhibition game is also in the potential schedule.

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I think Team USA will send invites to those who have initially have declared interest in participation albeit declining to play for the FIBA 2010 World Championships. That and we could see some returning players from this year's 2010 Team USA Roster.

In the case of an impending NBA 2011 lock-out, I wonder if Team USA will insist on the training camp and exhibition game for next year. Most likely, Jerry Colangelo will have to talk about it with the NBA Board of Directors and some representatives from the NBA Players' Union.

[L8DBACK]

Team USA will be really stacked for the 2012 Olympics. Who are the players that will be on this Olympic team? Hopefully, Colangelo and Coach K will determine who will be on that team.

[CKR13]

New Orleans Hornets star point guard Chris Paul was interviewed by nola.com about his thoughts on the upcoming 2012 London Olympics after the Hornets defeated the Miami HEAT 96-93 on the NBA 2010-2011 Regular Season. Paul was quoted:

“I’m in. I want to be. I want to play. If they’ll have me, I want to play.”

[CKR13]

I was listening to ESPN Radio awhile ago and Team USA NBA Representative Chairman Jerry Colangelo was interviewed and among the interesting topic was his thoughts on the recent declaration of NBA Superstars to once again play for Team USA come 2012 London Olympics.

I quote Colangelo:

"Most likely, 2012 will consists of players from 2008 and players from 2010. New faces can also be in... like Blake Griffin who is in the watchlist".

Chris Tomasson of NBA Insider / NBA Fanhouse also relayed the info on his twitter.

[Lebron23]

2012 USA National Team

C- Dwight Howard
F- Kevin Durant
F - LeBron James
G- Dwayne Wade
G- Derrick Rose

Bench


C- Andrew Bynum
F- Chris Bosh
F- Kevin Love
F- Blake Griffin
F- Carmelo Anthony
G- Stephen Curry
G- Russell Westbrook
G- Kobe Bryant

[Silent Killer]

1st 5 could be

Howard
Durant
James
Bryant
Rose

Off the bench
Stoudamire
Paul
Anthony
Odom
Bosh
D. Williams
Westbrook

[kaiziken_pinas]

my fantasy lineup (lol)

Howard
Griffin
James
Wade
Rose

Bench:

Amare
Bosh
Anthony
Durant
Deron Williams

Love
Paul