[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/8016313/boston-celtics-greg-stiemsma-new-orleans-hornets-lance-thomas-added-select-team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Boston Celtics center Greg Stiemsma and Lance Thomas of the New Orleans Hornets have been added to the select team of young players that will train against the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team.

Also, USA Basketball has announced that Orlando forward Ryan Anderson has withdrawn, leaving the roster at 14 players.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo says Wednesday the Americans were committed to inviting two players from their Pan American Games team that won a bronze medal last summer.

The select team will train July 6-11 against the Americans in Las Vegas. The roster also includes Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, Jeremy Lin, John Wall, Kawhi Leonard, DeJuan Blair, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Taj Gibson and Klay Thompson.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Greg Stiemsma and Lance Thomas? They couldn’t find anybody else better than these two?

[TRC1991Participant]

i mean Stiemsma makes a tiny bit of sense because of his big body and ability to shot block but lance thomas? I am almost positive he wont even make the Hornets roster next season

[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.  Greg Steimsma is a good shot blocker, but Lance Thomas???  Are you friggin kidding me?  Did Lance Thomas even get drafted?

[benny15Participant]

does keneth faried and greg monroe have plans on the summer?

[knicks4lyfe88Participant]

Im pretty sure lance thomas made the select team cuz hes a duke amlum and has connections with coach K

[akhan786Participant]

Woahhh so that US select team won’t have a chance to play in the Olympics.

I guess I misunderstood it but I thought Kyrie and John Wall would have a chance to make the team.

[Jlv2012]

Lance Thomas was until right now.

[benny15Participant]

they’re basically the team that gets to play those hoping to make the team that plays in the olympics.

[doubledribblerParticipant]

I’m not completely sure of how this select team is being constructed, but I think that the smartest way to construct the team is by adding guys that can replicate what they are likely to see in the Olympics. Guys that would fit the European style. Not sure a lot of these guys make sense. I’m not even advocating for taking the best players available to practice against, just the ones that can best prepare you against the type of basketball and style that you will face.

[JoeWolf1]

 I bet Thomas got selected because of Coach K.  I suspect he was a very good practice player who took direction well and knew his role.  Coach K knows this, so he wants to add him to help Team USA better.

That is my educated guess.

[aamir543Participant]

Greg Monroe was invited, but never responded on his decision.

And as for Lance Thomas, I didn’t even know he was in the NBA. Never averaged more than 5 and 5 at Duke, but he did have a decent run in the D-League which got him some time for New Orleans, but I really don’t understand this. If your letting guys like Lance Thomas in than you might as well put guys like Luke Harangody, Jr Smith, and Steve Novak on the select team, makes no sense whatsoever.

[uknationParticipant]

Greg makes since because euro players play like him and I think he has played in Europe before. Lance because of coach K I’m sure

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