Amare to be an Olympian...

[sly fly]

Amare has a good head on his shoulders.

Congratulations!

Now, go kick some Euro ass!

 

[sly fly]

link...

Wednesday, May 12, 2004


ESPN.com news services
Amare Stoudemire will get his wish and will be added to the U.S. Olympic basketball team, NBA sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Wednesday.


The Suns forward had hoped to gain some 11th-hour consideration as the selection committee scrambles to fill a roster in flux. As reported by ESPN.com last month, officials have been operating under the premise that Minnesota's Kevin Garnett will not accept their invitation to join the squad. Karl Malone is also expected to relinquish his roster spot, and Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal is considered a long shot to accept his invitation.


Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal is another big man who is at least considering a pullout, after battling through various ailments throughout the season and emerging as one of the first NBA personalities to publicly voice concerns held privately by many of the American stars regarding the level of security that can be provided in Greece.


Asked about security fears, Stoudemire recently told Stein: "You're taking a chance in anything you do in life. I just want to play for my country."


USA Basketball has holes to fill on the perimeter as well. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant has already relinquished his roster spot, citing potential court obligations in Colorado this off-season, and Toronto's Vince Carter turned down the opportunity to join the squad because he'll soon be getting married.


New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Seattle's Ray Allen, both members of Team USA's original nine-man core, have also said they're unlikely to be available for the Athens Games -- Kidd because of health issues; Allen because his fiancée is expecting their first child in early September.


Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein was used in this report

 

[F-Dog]

Asked about security fears, Stoudemire recently told Stein: "You're taking a chance in anything you do in life. I just want to play for my country."

I don't demand that my teams' players are likeable, but it's nice when things turn out that way!


It should be a good experience for both Shawn and Amare, as long as each of them makes it back in one piece. It's not like we have to worry about them being slagged in the playoffs or anything like that...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

How about the Marbury/Marion/Amare core back together again?

Honestly, I wish they practiced more. Amare could use all the time in the world this summer going up against TD with Larry Brown yelling on the sidelines.

 

[F-Dog]

How about the Marbury/Marion/Amare core back together again?

You don't think the US Olympic Team will finish in last place, do you?

 

[fordronken]

It should be a good experience for both Shawn and Amare, as long as each of them makes it back in one piece.

I wouldn't mind if Shawn came back wearing an Orlando uniform, though.

 

[Joe Mama]

Is Michael Redd part of this team already? If not, he should be the very next person invited because they are going to need some shooting.

Joe Mama