Wizards’ John Wall chosen for Team USA select team
This is Wall chance to work with coach K and being around a positive working competitive group like Kobe,Leron,Wade & CP3,will rub off on him..And make him want to join that elite group....Instead of those Knuckleheads on the Wizards..
Derrick Rose improved his game after going thru the experience and became MVP..Rudy Gay mproved his defense and passing skills learning from coach K...
This is Wall chance to work with coach K and being around a positive working competitive group like Kobe,Leron,Wade & CP3,will rub off on him..And make him want to join that elite group....Instead of those Knuckleheads on the Wizards..
Derrick Rose improved his game after going thru the experience and became MVP..Rudy Gay mproved his defense and passing skills learning from coach K...
This is Wall chance to work with coach K and being around a positive working competitive group like Kobe,Leron,Wade & CP3,will rub off on him..And make him want to join that elite group....Instead of those Knuckleheads on the Wizards..
Derrick Rose improved his game after going thru the experience and became MVP..Rudy Gay mproved his defense and passing skills learning from coach K...
I think this could be a jumping point/maturation to his career. Too see the work ethic or gain info from a Kobe, LBJ, or wade is invaluable to any player. I understand leaders are born not made, however, he can still obtain a wealth of knowledge from these elite players. How they run a team, how they train, what is expected from the leader, and how to become a complete player rater than just an athlete. I think this could be a great learning experience for John Wall.
Damn, I got bashed for pondering this scenario a little while back in this thread nbadraft.net/forum/olympicspgs... it's cuz I'm black isn't it!?!?!
Seriously, this is good for him. As mentioned by RUDEBOY_ three times and soulrebel, this can be a great expeience for him. I didn't know DeMarcus was gunna get an invite too but that shot be interest. All the talent is there but he better just keep himself in check before Coach K gets mad his nostrils start flaring again
he's one of the best defensive players on The Planet...
Here's my Team USA Roster
Guards
Chris Paul, Deron Williams and James Harden
Forwards
Lebron, Durant, Melo, Griffin, Gay, Granger and Iguadola
Center
Tyson Chandler and Andrew Bynum
Kobe should rest this year, Wade wants to be paid so let him stay home...I would have added Bosh and Gordon if this were last year, I don't Curry or Wall for team USA ball, I don't understand why we would even consider playing an un-proven college kid like Anthony Davis, he'd be killed in Olympic play, I also don't like the idea of Cousins being involved with Team USA basketball...
Andrew Bynum won't be playing. He's going to Germany to get that same surgery Kobe Bryant had last summer.
Bryant has already said he's playing and won't miss it. So he's in.
Based on 2008 Olympics, Team USA carried one center, one power forward/center, one power forward, one extra power forward, two small forwards, two shooting guards, one three point shooting specialisit and three point guards.
Center: Tyson Chandler
Power forward/Center: Chris Bosh
Power forward: Carmelo Anthony
Extra power forward: Kevin Love or Blake Griffin
Small forward: LeBron James
Small forward: Kevin Durant
Shooting guard: Kobe Bryant
Shooting guard: Dwyane Wade
Three-point shooting specialist: Eric Gordon or James Harden
Point guard: Chris Paul
Point guard: Deron Williams
Third point guard: Russell Westbrook or John Wall (maybe both if Deron Williams doesn't play)
---
Cuts
Andre Iguodala - Team USA only carries two small forwards and LeBron does everything he does, except better. And Team USA won't pick him up as the third shooting guard because he can't shoot.
Rudy Gay - Team USA only carries two small forwards. Durant is better.
Lamar Odom - ??? IF his personal issues are in line and he's in shape, he'd be the best fit over Love and Griffin, but I don't think he'll be ready.
DeMarcus Cousins - Team USA only carries one center. I think this is a move more for the future.
Anthony Davis - See Cousins.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/wizards-john-wa...
By Michael Lee
John Wall has been invited to participate with the Team USA select team that will scrimmage with the Olympic team this summer, USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo confirmed on Thursday.
Wall has long stated that one of his goals is representing this country in international competition and being a part of the select team is an important step in being part of the U.S. men’s national team pool. A few months after the Wizards made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, Wall said he would like to like to have a chance, “hopefully soon .” He added that it was “going to take time .”
The full roster has yet to be announced, but Wall’s former teammate at Kentucky, DeMarcus Cousins, is also expected to be on the team. Wall averaged 16.5 points, 8.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season.
Being on the select team could set the stage for future opportunities with USA Basketball. Before claiming the gold medal in 2008, the U.S. trained against a 14-man select team that featured Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Andre Iguodala and Russell Westbrook. Those five went on to lead the United States to a gold medal in the world championships in Turkey two years later.
Colangelo said earlier this week that he would likely have to expand the pool for the Olympic team roster given recent injuries to Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Chauncey Billups and Lamarcus Aldridge. The remaining list of healthy finalists for the 2012 Olympic team include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Durant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Blake Griffin, Tyson Chandler, Westbrook, Love, Iguodala, Rudy Gay and Eric Gordon.
The deadline to submit the final 12-man roster plus six alternatives is June 18, but the United States is expected to make an announcement much sooner.
Team USA will train in Las Vegas July 6-11, then play an exhibition against the Dominican Republic on July 12. The U.S. team will also train for two days in Washington before hosting Brazil in an exhibition game on July 16. WTOP’s Dave Johnson first reported the news.