[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Allen Iverson was told by his agent today that he will not be offered a contract that would make him a member of Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

I think this is a pretty big surprise, given that Iverson had already publicly stated that he would be honored to be a part of the team. It also seems odd since AI was, by all accounts, the MVP and most popular player in the 2003 World Championships in Puerto Rico.

My only thought is that it's the result of the media hype that has labeled Iverson as not being a team player. Either way, I think it's a real shame. Half of the players dropped off the team in the 2004 Olympics, but AI was always the guy who claimed that he was thrilled to be there and determined to win the gold for his country.

Thoughts?

[ThePundit]

City: Not to repeat our discussion from before. But after our team was absolutely embarassed in 2004 by countries who still understand the right way to play the game of basketball, the USA is going to pick people who play the game like a team.

They'll probably shy away from the "1 1/2" that Iverson is. Marbury is similar. Not quite point guards and not quite shooting guards.

If I had to guess, you'll get get pure 1's and pure 2's on this team. Point guards will be guys like Kidd and Billups...A couple of pure shooters to play the 2 like Ray Allen.

It's going to be guys who mesh as a team and fill a role rather than the 12 most talented players.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

So basically, we are repeating our discussion from before. I'll bow out, but will say one thing - our team was not embarassed in 2004 because of Allen Iverson and only Allen Iverson. But let's see how many people from that team are interested but not asked back.

[cjg11582]

I am inclined to agree with Pundit. As much as I enjoy watching Iverson play, his style isn't suited for the international game. Generally speaking it is his size that hinders him. On defense, You need perimeter players who can contest those three pointers that are chucked up in droves in the international game. On offense, opponents will operate out of a zone defense and just collapse on whoever gets in the lane. Unfortunately, he is too small to distribute the ball out of the cluster of people the gravitate towards the paint. I do think he would be a good "court general" though.

Other players that should seemingly receive a spot on Team USA that are unable to adapt their game for the international style:
Ben Wallace- Difficulties finishing plays and has no medium jump shot to speak of, also terrible from the free throw line. He is great defensively, but generally speaking the opposition will not attempt to score in the post on the U.S. anyways.
Dwayne Wade- The one weakness of his game: the three point shot is so critical in the Olympics. He is too much of a liability in this regard.
Carmelo Anthony- Can do anything on offense but is a terrible perimeter defender. Is not always the best decision maker.
Shawn Marion- Unique game, consumate team player, but unless Steve Nash gets his citizenship he will not be nearly as effective.
Richard Jefferson- See Dwayne Wade, considerably worse on defense as well.
Gilbert Arenas- Same reasoning as Allen Iverson.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

I find it odd that people say AI isn't suited for the International game, but wasn't it Iverson that led the US team to a 10-0 record in the Olympic qualifying tourny in 2003? Wasn't it Iverson that led the US team in PPG and was second in assists per game in Athens? Wasn't it Iverson who also led the team in attempted foul shots?

it's also a slap in the face, considering how many players backed out of the Olympic games, leaving the US to scramble to find replacement players. If your memory is failing you, let's look at a list:

Shaq, Kobe, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Karl Malone, Jermaine O'Neal, Kenyon Martin, Elton Brand, Rip Hamilton and Ben Wallace.

Yet Iverson stuck around, played his tail off, reiterated how priveledged he felt to be playing, and afterwards, apologized for the team's poor showing.

Yet this is how he is rewarded. Now, I'm not saying that AI should be named to the 2008 team solely as a reward for his positive attitude and loyalty. But look hard enough and you'll find plenty of other reasons why the team failed to come home with Gold.

The US team was the youngest of any team since the NBA began participating in the Olympics, with an average age of 23.6. You had a coach who is known for his aversion to putting young players out on the court. Is that why Richard Jefferson, who was atrocious throughout the entire tournament, started all 8 games while LeBran James never did? Surely that had more to do with the team's poor performance than, say..Allen Iverson.

Speaking of Jefferson - has he been invited to the 2008 Olympic team?

[Lefty Noob]

Last I heard, official invites have gone to Kobe, LeBron, Luke Ridnour and Shawn Marion, with Chris Paul, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard also expected to be among the initial 22-man roster. That will be officially announced by USA basketball director Jerry Colangelo on Sunday.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Actually, it leaked and has been posted on ESPN. I started a new thread...

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by CityofBrotherlyShove

it's also a slap in the face, considering how many players backed out of the Olympic games, leaving the US to scramble to find replacement players. If your memory is failing you, let's look at a list:

Shaq, Kobe, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Karl Malone, Jermaine O'Neal, Kenyon Martin, Elton Brand, Rip Hamilton and Ben Wallace.

Yet Iverson stuck around, played his tail off, reiterated how priveledged he felt to be playing, and afterwards, apologized for the team's poor showing.

Yet this is how he is rewarded. Now, I'm not saying that AI should be named to the 2008 team solely as a reward for his positive attitude and loyalty. But look hard enough and you'll find plenty of other reasons why the team failed to come home with Gold.

Hey man, I got your back...regardless of the fact that he is not a classic point guard or shooting guard but some where in between, the man was not responsible for the 2004 team's performance. Now, I am not a fan of Allen Iverson, I tend to like my NBA stars a little cleaner in the Personal/Public Arena, but the man deserves an invite. He represented the USA when a lot of his peers didn't, and he is a legit talent...But look here CityofBrotherlyShove, when people have an axe to grind, they have an axe to grind...AI will probably be blamed if the team loses for not fighting hard enough to get on the team...that's the way the round ball bounces my friend....anyway, you post with passion my friend...props to you.