Brand, Wallace final two additions to U.S. squad

[bd811]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers and Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons are the final two additions to the U.S. team for this summer's World Basketball Championships.

Nick Collison of Kansas will be the second alternate.

USA Basketball announced the final selections Wednesday for the tournament to be held Aug. 29-Sept. 8 in Indianapolis.

The rest of the team, chosen in two phases, includes Ray Allen of Milwaukee; Jason Kidd of New Jersey; Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal of Indiana; Antonio Davis of Toronto; Shawn Marion of Phoenix; Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz of Dallas; Andre Miller of Cleveland; and Paul Pierce of Boston.

Jay Williams of Duke is the first alternate. He and Collison will practice with the team and play in scrimmages.

George Karl of the Bucks will be the head coach.



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[Trots]

That's great for Ben Wallace. He had a tremendous season.

Aren't Reggie and Antonio getting a little old for this? I realize there's an influx of foreign players in the league, but Reggie and Antonio are the best the good old USA Basketball program can put forth? Where are all the young stars? Did a bunch of them beg off? Are there any young(er) US born stars?

[bd811]

I know what about guys like Duncan, Webber, TMac, A.I., Carter, Kobe, etc?

[Trots]

Exactly. I realize the US can win without sending our very best, but why bother? Are these guys just waiting for the Olympics? Not enough glamour to the World Championships?

Even without the big names you mentioned, there is a secondary group of younger stars, Walker and Stackhouse come to mind, that would seem as deserving as Davis and R. Miller. (Although, I'm sure both guys are happy to be invited.)

[milky_way]

Originally posted by Trots
Aren't Reggie and Antonio getting a little old for this? I realize there's an influx of foreign players in the league, but Reggie and Antonio are the best the good old USA Basketball program can put forth? Where are all the young stars? Did a bunch of them beg off? Are there any young(er) US born stars?
Reggie and AD are old. but some of the young popular stars (i.e. Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, AI, T-Mac) didn't even play on the Olympic team, so i didn't think they'd play on the World Championship (or whatever this is) team. i don't think it's a selection thing, i think it's the players not wanting to play. they want to rest and prepare for the upcoming season, which is understandable, espcially since the World Championships isn't really that big. i think more of the younger stars should play on the Olympic team though.

[bd811]

why dont the stars play on the Olympics teams though? they all used to. that first dream team was awesome. MJ, Magic, Bird, (cant think of the rest. i know it was awesome tho!!) thatd be cool to see the actual best players representin the country

[milky_way]

there was the original Dream Team, which was the first Olympic team to have NBA players on it, so everyone wanted to be on it. But by the third Dream Team the players were not the best in the NBA because all the stars didn't care. then again, the people who select the players don't select the stars either. i mean, Tim Hardaway over Steve Francis? Vin Baker over Chris Webber? Vin Baker over anybody??? that's kinda sad.

[bd811]

but some of these guys havent been on an olympic team(i dont think), and i would think they would jump at the opportunity.

but whos gonna be the center? Lafraentz? lets hope the other teams dont have some good centers! or will J.O. and A.D. get time there, too?

[milky_way]

Originally posted by bd811
but some of these guys havent been on an olympic team(i dont think), and i would think they would jump at the opportunity.
i'd think so too. i remember Shaq saying that he didn't want to play (i don't remember the reason), Duncan got injured so he couldn't play, Kobe wanted to get married, and i don't think AI or T-Mac had the chance (they weren't selected). So actually, Shaq and Kobe were the only players that i remember who didn't "jump" at the oppurtunity.
Originally posted by bd811
but whos gonna be the center? Lafraentz? lets hope the other teams dont have some good centers! or will J.O. and A.D. get time there, too?
Jermaine played center for the Pacers all of last year and a lot of this year. then after we got Brad Miller he was able to move back to PF, which is his natural position, but he can still play C. AD is a natural PF, but he's played C for the Raptors for years too. and LaFrenz is a Center too.