Colangelo, 65, who was named the national team's first managing director yesterday, abolished the selection committee, expressed interest in holding tryouts and left open the possibility of choosing college players.

He made it clear that high-profile N.B.A. players need not apply unless they are ready to make a commitment for two to three summers. Dozens of veteran N.B.A. players found reasons not to play in the Athens Games, and some owners were reluctant to risk their investment by having their players participate.

"I think we need a change of direction," Colangelo said during a conference call yesterday. "If we can do it the right way and change the perception the world had of our Olympic effort, which left a lot to be desired, we have to turn back the clock a bit in terms of being very respectful. We want to get back to being the No. 1 basketball country in the world, and anything short of that would not be acceptable."

Sage wrote: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/28/sports/basketball/28hoops.html

Colangelo, 65, who was named the national team's first managing director yesterday, abolished the selection committee, expressed interest in holding tryouts and left open the possibility of choosing college players.

He made it clear that high-profile N.B.A. players need not apply unless they are ready to make a commitment for two to three summers. Dozens of veteran N.B.A. players found reasons not to play in the Athens Games, and some owners were reluctant to risk their investment by having their players participate.

"I think we need a change of direction," Colangelo said during a conference call yesterday. "If we can do it the right way and change the perception the world had of our Olympic effort, which left a lot to be desired, we have to turn back the clock a bit in terms of being very respectful. We want to get back to being the No. 1 basketball country in the world, and anything short of that would not be acceptable."

O'Neal, 35, who wants to pursue a law enforcement career after he retires from the NBA, said the three-year commitment Colangelo wants from players makes a difference.

Sage wrote: http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/palm-beach-post/mi_8163/is_20060107/oneal-olympic-commitment/ai_n51907857/

O'Neal, 35, who wants to pursue a law enforcement career after he retires from the NBA, said the three-year commitment Colangelo wants from players makes a difference.

It started as 2 to 3, but has since moved to 3.

He may have traded him away in 2001, but Jerry Colangelo, now the head of USA Basketball, wants Jason Kidd to play for Uncle Sam in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Kidd told writers that Colangelo contacted his agent about playing for Team USA and that he is considering it. His family has to go along, he added. Kidd, who won the gold in 2000, would have to make a three-year commitment, starting next summer. Kidd-led teams are 18-0 in international competition.

"He looked me right in the eye and said it would be an honor for him," Colangelo said. "It was a very positive experience."

Iverson was co-captain and the leading scorer on the U.S. team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Colangelo, named head of USA Basketball after the team's poor performances at the 2002 worlds and 2004 Olympics, has made it clear that the U.S. team would not be a collection of superstars hastily put together.

Instead, he wants a group, including role players, that would make a three-year commitment to participate in the camps and form a cohesive team for the worlds this year in Japan and the Olympics in Beijing.

Instead, he wants a group, including role players, that would make a three-year commitment to participate in the camps and form a cohesive team for the worlds this year in Japan and the Olympics in Beijing.

devil1197 wrote: .... LeBron could commit 1 week and still be on the team.

Sage wrote:
It's fucking pathetic that these guys don't leap at the opportunity to play for Team USA. And that's what it is, an opportunity, not a god given right.

Sage wrote:

devil1197 wrote: .... LeBron could commit 1 week and still be on the team.

It's not okay. He has clearly asked for 3 years from everybody since the get-go. The tournament doesn't start until late August.

It's not like he's got some life and death decision, lmao.

It's the "I'll show up for 1 week and be on the team" that got the US in to trouble in the first place.

It's fucking pathetic that these guys don't leap at the opportunity to play for Team USA. And that's what it is, an opportunity, not a god given right.

If this was somebody like Allen Iverson pulling this shit, I bet your tunes would change drastically.

SQ_Crazies wrote:

Sage wrote:
It's fucking pathetic that these guys don't leap at the opportunity to play for Team USA. And that's what it is, an opportunity, not a god given right.

LOL, LeBron has been on it since he was able to be. Where was your boy Kobe? He didn't want any part of it until LeBron started stealing some of his thunder. Who was a captain, who wasn't? Where was Kobe when his team sucked and he was too busy raping bitches and crying in corners about his teammates? GTFO.

SQ_Crazies wrote: And Kobe is going to play because he doesn't have shit to do this summer but practice. No one wants to shoot a movie with Kobe in it lmao.

2quik4u wrote:

SQ_Crazies wrote: And Kobe is going to play because he doesn't have shit to do this summer but practice. No one wants to shoot a movie with Kobe in it lmao.

and u say us laker fans make stupid comments lol