http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13989627p-14823072c.html
Lemme at 'em
Brad Miller, displeased by the U.S.'s Olympics performance, wants to be on the national team.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, December 17, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Brad Miller wants to restore pride in his country's name.
Even if it means leaving the country itself.
The Kings center has made it known that he would like to be a member of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team, a three-year commitment that would include the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan and, Miller hopes, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
His agent, Mark Bartelstein, spoke last month to Phoenix Suns president Jerry Colangelo, who is the managing director of Team USA's program. Colangelo is reportedly planning on speaking to as many as 35 players, with a final roster to be decided by mid-February.
"He told me that Brad is very much under consideration, someone they're looking seriously at," Bartelstein said. "Brad is very interested. And from talking to Jerry, I think they're very interested in having him."
Miller has never been a fan of leaving America's borders, dating back to his experience of playing in Italy for the 1998-99 season when the NBA lockout changed his post-Purdue plans. But for a chance to restore global hoops pride after Team USA settled for bronze at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece, Miller wouldn't mind leaving again.
"I have pride after how it was last year and everything," Miller said. "I've got a lot of pride. I love this country. But you never know what (Colangelo and his staff) are looking for, exactly."
Miller must wait to see if Colangelo loves his résumé as much as Miller loves the red, white and blue. Miller has played on two national teams - the 1997 USA 22-and-under World Championship team and the bronze-medal winning 1998 USA Men's World Basketball Championship team.
Kings coach Rick Adelman said Miller would be an ideal fit, with his passing and outside shooting skills a nice counter against the frequent zone defenses at that level.
"He'd be perfect for that team," Adelman said. "You're going to face all kinds of things. And with the way he passes, the way he shoots the ball, he's smart."
If nothing else, he would be different, which was the top criticism of the last squad. The 2004 team was heavy on star-power and light on versatility, full of young stars such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony but without so many other big names (none bigger than Shaquille O'Neal) who declined invitations.
"If we get the elite guys, there's still no problem," said San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo, who was an assistant for the Olympic team in 1992. "We're still head and shoulders better. The other countries are great. They've improved dramatically. We wouldn't walk all over them, like we did in '92, but if we bring the heavy artillery, we're going to be fine."
The team will be coached by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, who will have assistants in Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni and Portland coach Nate McMillan.
All will likely have their input on player selection.
Carlesimo said Miller would be a wise choice.
"If I had any input at all, Brad would be a guy I'd want because of his game," Carlesimo said. "He can play away from the basket, can play inside, he's a great passer. I think he'd be a great international player."
Miller isn't the only Kings player with Team USA experience. Shareef Abdur-Rahim played on the 2000 Olympic gold-medal winning team in Sydney, Australia. Mike Bibby helped lead the 2003 Men's National Team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Lemme at 'em
Brad Miller, displeased by the U.S.'s Olympics performance, wants to be on the national team.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, December 17, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Brad Miller wants to restore pride in his country's name.
Even if it means leaving the country itself.
The Kings center has made it known that he would like to be a member of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team, a three-year commitment that would include the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan and, Miller hopes, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
His agent, Mark Bartelstein, spoke last month to Phoenix Suns president Jerry Colangelo, who is the managing director of Team USA's program. Colangelo is reportedly planning on speaking to as many as 35 players, with a final roster to be decided by mid-February.
"He told me that Brad is very much under consideration, someone they're looking seriously at," Bartelstein said. "Brad is very interested. And from talking to Jerry, I think they're very interested in having him."
Miller has never been a fan of leaving America's borders, dating back to his experience of playing in Italy for the 1998-99 season when the NBA lockout changed his post-Purdue plans. But for a chance to restore global hoops pride after Team USA settled for bronze at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece, Miller wouldn't mind leaving again.
"I have pride after how it was last year and everything," Miller said. "I've got a lot of pride. I love this country. But you never know what (Colangelo and his staff) are looking for, exactly."
Miller must wait to see if Colangelo loves his résumé as much as Miller loves the red, white and blue. Miller has played on two national teams - the 1997 USA 22-and-under World Championship team and the bronze-medal winning 1998 USA Men's World Basketball Championship team.
Kings coach Rick Adelman said Miller would be an ideal fit, with his passing and outside shooting skills a nice counter against the frequent zone defenses at that level.
"He'd be perfect for that team," Adelman said. "You're going to face all kinds of things. And with the way he passes, the way he shoots the ball, he's smart."
If nothing else, he would be different, which was the top criticism of the last squad. The 2004 team was heavy on star-power and light on versatility, full of young stars such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony but without so many other big names (none bigger than Shaquille O'Neal) who declined invitations.
"If we get the elite guys, there's still no problem," said San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo, who was an assistant for the Olympic team in 1992. "We're still head and shoulders better. The other countries are great. They've improved dramatically. We wouldn't walk all over them, like we did in '92, but if we bring the heavy artillery, we're going to be fine."
The team will be coached by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, who will have assistants in Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni and Portland coach Nate McMillan.
All will likely have their input on player selection.
Carlesimo said Miller would be a wise choice.
"If I had any input at all, Brad would be a guy I'd want because of his game," Carlesimo said. "He can play away from the basket, can play inside, he's a great passer. I think he'd be a great international player."
Miller isn't the only Kings player with Team USA experience. Shareef Abdur-Rahim played on the 2000 Olympic gold-medal winning team in Sydney, Australia. Mike Bibby helped lead the 2003 Men's National Team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
