http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/143260.html
Miller still OK with Team USA
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:46 pm PDT Saturday, March 24, 2007
When Kings center Brad Miller said in late January that he planned to withdraw from the Team USA roster for this summer's Olympic qualifying tournament because of a family obligation, the man who runs the operation wasn't didn't entirely agree with the decision.
Jerry Colangelo, the Suns' CEO and USA Basketball's managing director, said during the All-Star break in Las Vegas that missing time wasn't an option and that Miller's status within the program could be in jeopardy.
Colangelo, however, was not aware of Miller's personal situation. Thursday in Phoenix, Colangelo said the two met briefly and the misunderstanding was cleared up.
"Everything's cool," Colangelo said regarding Miller's status with the team.
Miller plans to remain on the national squad and still hopes to play in the Beijing Games in 2008. There is precedent for national team participants missing time for personal reasons, as Detroit's Chauncey Billups took a leave last summer because his wife was having a baby.
As for Miller's immediate future, he remains a question mark because inflamed tissue in his left foot continues to plague him. Miller left after the first quarter of Monday's game in Atlanta and has missed two consecutive games.
Rumors rampant -- The spiraling Kings season has led to much speculation among newspapers nationwide, with everyone from Geoff Petrie, the team's basketball president, to coach Eric Musselman and assistant coach Mark Hughes being pulled into the rumor mill.
Petrie's name will always be raised in relation to Portland. The Trail Blazers drafted him, he spent all six seasons of his playing career with them, and he later served as Portland's senior vice president of operations for four seasons. But while the chatter regarding his possible exodus grew louder when Portland general manager Steve Patterson abruptly resigned March 1, Petrie has dismissed the notion that he is eyeing the job.
Although it has been reported that his contract expires this summer, Petrie has two seasons remaining on his deal.
Musselman's involvement is rooted in the opening at his alma mater, as the University of San Diego fired coach Brad Holland earlier this month. When asked about his name being included among the so-called candidates, the Kings coach was far from thrilled to address the question.
"Not unless you get me fired in the next week," he said on the Kings' recent five-game trip. "No, there's no truth to that."
Hughes, a Kings assistant who was a co-captain of Michigan's 1989 national championship team, said he received phone calls from friends and colleagues shortly after Wolverines coach Tommy Amaker was fired March 17. And even non-media types have been pitching the idea of Hughes as Michigan's coach, a notion even he admits would be a dream job.
Before the Kings faced the Suns on Thursday, Michigan product and Suns veteran Jalen Rose greeted Hughes and said with a smile, "So, you going back?"
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Miller still OK with Team USA
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:46 pm PDT Saturday, March 24, 2007
When Kings center Brad Miller said in late January that he planned to withdraw from the Team USA roster for this summer's Olympic qualifying tournament because of a family obligation, the man who runs the operation wasn't didn't entirely agree with the decision.
Jerry Colangelo, the Suns' CEO and USA Basketball's managing director, said during the All-Star break in Las Vegas that missing time wasn't an option and that Miller's status within the program could be in jeopardy.
Colangelo, however, was not aware of Miller's personal situation. Thursday in Phoenix, Colangelo said the two met briefly and the misunderstanding was cleared up.
"Everything's cool," Colangelo said regarding Miller's status with the team.
Miller plans to remain on the national squad and still hopes to play in the Beijing Games in 2008. There is precedent for national team participants missing time for personal reasons, as Detroit's Chauncey Billups took a leave last summer because his wife was having a baby.
As for Miller's immediate future, he remains a question mark because inflamed tissue in his left foot continues to plague him. Miller left after the first quarter of Monday's game in Atlanta and has missed two consecutive games.
Rumors rampant -- The spiraling Kings season has led to much speculation among newspapers nationwide, with everyone from Geoff Petrie, the team's basketball president, to coach Eric Musselman and assistant coach Mark Hughes being pulled into the rumor mill.
Petrie's name will always be raised in relation to Portland. The Trail Blazers drafted him, he spent all six seasons of his playing career with them, and he later served as Portland's senior vice president of operations for four seasons. But while the chatter regarding his possible exodus grew louder when Portland general manager Steve Patterson abruptly resigned March 1, Petrie has dismissed the notion that he is eyeing the job.
Although it has been reported that his contract expires this summer, Petrie has two seasons remaining on his deal.
Musselman's involvement is rooted in the opening at his alma mater, as the University of San Diego fired coach Brad Holland earlier this month. When asked about his name being included among the so-called candidates, the Kings coach was far from thrilled to address the question.
"Not unless you get me fired in the next week," he said on the Kings' recent five-game trip. "No, there's no truth to that."
Hughes, a Kings assistant who was a co-captain of Michigan's 1989 national championship team, said he received phone calls from friends and colleagues shortly after Wolverines coach Tommy Amaker was fired March 17. And even non-media types have been pitching the idea of Hughes as Michigan's coach, a notion even he admits would be a dream job.
Before the Kings faced the Suns on Thursday, Michigan product and Suns veteran Jalen Rose greeted Hughes and said with a smile, "So, you going back?"
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
