US Olympic Basketball Team Set.

wilheim · Jul 8, 2004

Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Lamar Odom, Carlos Boozer and Emeka Okafor were named to the team, joining the seven players who had already committed - Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, LeBron James, Richard Jefferson, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire.

"Obviously I'm real excited," said Larry Brown, who will coach the team. "We finally have a team. "

Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, Jermaine O'Neal and Karl Malone withdrew after they were named to the original Olympic roster. Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Kenyon Martin, Elton Brand, Ben Wallace and Richard Hamilton declined invitations to play.

wil.

GreenDoberman · Jul 9, 2004

Is it me or is there a glaring lack of a consistent outside shooting threat in that group?
Also,, outside of Duncan not a lot of bangers unless you consider the raw Okafor and the rawer Stoudamire.
Looking at it closer I can see this team getting schooled by some good passing, tight defensive European or South American team.

agreeen · Jul 10, 2004

I just noticed the same thing...this team can't shoot a lick and they are big on the wing but small down low...i don't think atheticism is gonna win the olympics anymore...but we already have an excuse that 3/4 of our roster bailed on the event

TruePlaya · Jul 10, 2004

This is a BAD PERIMETER shooting team...fortunately, with Larry Brown and these athletes, other teams will have a VERY tough time scoring.

wilheim · Jul 10, 2004

Could this team win an NBA title if left together for a whole season?

wil.

randyrohm · Jul 10, 2004

Wil, you have to be kidding. Would be huge favs to win the NBA ring. Would be the best team ever in the NBA. Clearly not a good representation of what we could send though.

wilheim · Jul 10, 2004

HacheMan · Jul 10, 2004

What's BS is the players that declined to play. Start adding in their contracts that if they are asked to play for Olympic team and decline, they lose a certain percentage of their pay........

WildBill · Jul 10, 2004

Pathetic indeed. Then again starting AI, Bron, Duncan, Marion/Jefferson, and Boozer/Okafor ain't bad. What team in the world has a Marbury or Melo to come off the bench? Big key is no real center although I think Okafor might be the best option here. Then again not many great centers in the world so having a 6'9 guy at center isn't a big disadvantage when you have Duncan getting your back.

Can you imagine this though, Shaq, Duncan, and Big Ben on the front line. Who could score on that?