2 wizards on the early team USA

[SkinsASchamps]

Gilbert And Jamison on the list. Pretty sweet to get 2 guys in.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2349009

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

coooooool. so how does this work......do these guys show up and work to make the cut or do they already have a set roster with a bunch of reserves waiting in the wings?

[SkinsASchamps]

coooooool. so how does this work......do these guys show up and work to make the cut or do they already have a set roster with a bunch of reserves waiting in the wings?


only 12 make the team. Here is an article that explains it and says gilbert should make it.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2349511

[GolfFreak]

Pretty cool. And I hear AI was even invited. I hope both of those guys make it and represent the USA and the Wiz!!!

[SkinsASchamps]

Pretty cool. And I hear AI was even invited. I hope both of those guys make it and represent the USA and the Wiz!!!

you mean he was NOT invited. I think that that is good for the US.

[RedskinsDave]

You know what? If AI wants to play, he should be on the team. We always complain that the big stars don't want to play for the U.S. anymore and then they get one who does and they snub him? That's crazy.

[Dre-The-Great]

You know what? If AI wants to play, he should be on the team. We always complain that the big stars don't want to play for the U.S. anymore and then they get one who does and they snub him? That's crazy.

I agree...I don't understand how they invited Bruce Bowen and Luke Ridnour over A.I....but oh well...I just hope Arenas makes it

[Santheb]

You know what? If AI wants to play, he should be on the team. We always complain that the big stars don't want to play for the U.S. anymore and then they get one who does and they snub him? That's crazy.

Thats how I feel. Iverson was the only one on the Olympic team that really, you know, seemed to care and give it his all. To have Luke Ridnour, Bruce Bowen, Joe Johnson, etc over Iverson is just ridiculous and is almost like spitting in his face.

I hope Gilbert makes it, but I really, highly doubt that Jamison will. Good luck to both of those guys, though :)

[IMALILTEAPOT]

it seems like the people who make the rosters actually are looking for role players that can fill needs, like shooters or defenders and stuff. even if that is how they are setting it up, i dont know why AI isnt invited. him and tim duncan have been on the usa team for a long time, and to not include AI anymore seems really messed up

[ShaggySkins]

Thats how I feel. Iverson was the only one on the Olympic team that really, you know, seemed to care and give it his all. To have Luke Ridnour, Bruce Bowen, Joe Johnson, etc over Iverson is just ridiculous and is almost like spitting in his face.

I hope Gilbert makes it, but I really, highly doubt that Jamison will. Good luck to both of those guys, though :)


Although I feel AI should be given the chance to tryout one of the biggest problems with the Olympic team over the last 2 Olympics have been that too many big names have been chosen without bringing in role players. Bowen and Johnson are two of the better defensive guards in the league right now. AI is a liability on defense when in the game because he has to play with a bigger guard so that he can match up on the PG while his fellow PG can defend the SG spot.

Ridnour making it I really don't fully understand I would have rather seen Kirk Hinrich or Andre Iguodala get invites based on the fact that they are much better defenders but oh well.

I HIGHLY doubt Jamison will make the squad and honestly don't think he deserves to go in over better defenders such as Marion, Dwight Howard, Josh Howard, and Chris Bosh. Arenas I think has a 50-50 shot to make it, really I think Chauncy Billups is a lock same with Kobe. It comes down to Arenas competing primarily with Chris Paul and I think they may lead towards Paul as he is a more traditional PG in that he is better at distributing the ball and involving other teamates where Arenas is much more of a pure scorer.

[ShaggySkins]

I just wanted to make 1 more note for those complaining about AI not being included. Remember this years team of the 15 chosen (they will choose 15 with 3 made inactive & 12 active) ALL are required to make a THREE YEAR COMMITMENT. Right now AI is 30 years old, he takes more of a beating then any player in the league and to expect his body to hold up playing all season long through injuries then being able to practice all summer long with the team like they are requiring for 3 years straight may be WAY too much for him. Now like I said I thought he should have recieved an invite to tryout but you have to recognize the committment they are required and the health of the player. I'm not saying this is the reason but I would be shocked if it wasn't a contributing factor.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

Although I feel AI should be given the chance to tryout one of the biggest problems with the Olympic team over the last 2 Olympics have been that too many big names have been chosen without bringing in role players. Bowen and Johnson are two of the better defensive guards in the league right now. AI is a liability on defense when in the game because he has to play with a bigger guard so that he can match up on the PG while his fellow PG can defend the SG spot.

Ridnour making it I really don't fully understand I would have rather seen Kirk Hinrich or Andre Iguodala get invites based on the fact that they are much better defenders but oh well.

I HIGHLY doubt Jamison will make the squad and honestly don't think he deserves to go in over better defenders such as Marion, Dwight Howard, Josh Howard, and Chris Bosh. Arenas I think has a 50-50 shot to make it, really I think Chauncy Billups is a lock same with Kobe. It comes down to Arenas competing primarily with Chris Paul and I think they may lead towards Paul as he is a more traditional PG in that he is better at distributing the ball and involving other teamates where Arenas is much more of a pure scorer.
in the article on ESPN, it said that billups is most likely going to stay back with his wife who is expected to be giving birth to their child so that should help gil's chances.

[IndianBaller27]

in the article on ESPN, it said that billups is most likely going to stay back with his wife who is expected to be giving birth to their child so that should help gil's chances.
oh really? that's really good

[ShaggySkins]

in the article on ESPN, it said that billups is most likely going to stay back with his wife who is expected to be giving birth to their child so that should help gil's chances.

Thats true but Jerry Colangelo already gave Billups the OK for that saying that he could miss the World Championships this summer as long as he stayed committed to the team for the Olympics. So really it doesn't help Gil at all. Billups as long as he wants on the team is a lock as he should be. He's one of the best (if not the best) defensive PGs in the league. He's a great 3pt shooter and is strong enough to cover either PG or SG in international play.

[DoGood]

The absence of Iverson is probably wrong even though I'm not really a fan. However its great to see both Gilbert and Antawn getting a early spot. I really hope Arenas makes the final roster. He would be one of the most gracious guys to play for the USA.

Good Luck Mr. President and 'Twan! GO USA.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

i hope arenas makes it, though i want to see billups and paul on there too. i kind of like this years squad, cuz they went out and got needs and not really big names. i dont agree with the luke ridnour pick, but the bruce bowen one is a good idea. im just glad they didnt get kyle korver as a shooter. yea hes a shooter, but his shot selection is horrible.