Why Isn't Allen Iverson on Team USA

[loopymitch]

OH!!! But Kobe Bryant has grasped the team concept . And Kobe was the very first guy that Team USA called on. This ain't about grasping the team concept.

This is not about team concept this is about image. And in my view Kobe Bryant's off the court and even somewhat on the court image is no better than Allen Iverson. It is just that Kobe is Coach K's boy.

I agree with you but we weren't talking about Shobe. If USA trying to put together a "team" then neither one should be there IMO but there's no way that was going to happen.

 

[Gargamel]

You may be right. Thug Image>>>>>>>>>>>>Adulterer Image. It all makes perfects sense.

The league mandated a dress code w/ AI in mind. Has **** to do w/ adultery.

 

[thesanityannex]

The league mandated a dress code w/ AI in mind. Has **** to do w/ adultery.

Likewise, it has **** to do with the dresscode.

I thought you were stating your reason why A.I. was not invited, that being his thug image. Well, I looked at both of their images and if thats what the committee based it on, than a thug's image is far worse than an adulterer's image

 

[MrBiggs]

You guys are missing the obvious: Youth.

Sure there are some 30 year olds on the team but fact is the G position is stacked with youngins.

 

[Bricklayer]

You guys are missing the obvious: Youth.

Sure there are some 30 year olds on the team but fact is the G position is stacked with youngins.

Well yes, but not sure that is so much a conscious decision by the committee as it is just a reflection of the fact that older players don't want to make that 3-yr committment. Another way Iverson was fairly unique.

 

[thesanityannex]

Well yes, but not sure that is so much a conscious decision by the committee as it is just a reflection of the fact that older players don't want to make that 3-yr committment. Another way Iverson was fairly unique.

What exactly does the 3 year committment include?

 

[hoopsfan]

Tha avatar cracks me up every timeI see it!!

 

[BigSong]

why you say......because he isn't american.

seriously though why is bowen on there, in 2008 he'll be a 100. okay 37 or so.

 

[Gargamel]

Likewise, it has **** to do with the dresscode.

I thought you were stating your reason why A.I. was not invited, that being his thug image. Well, I looked at both of their images and if thats what the committee based it on, than a thug's image is far worse than an adulterer's image

I said perhaps, rabid wolverine at my crotch.

 

[Gargamel]

Tha avatar cracks me up every timeI see it!!

In essence, he's crying because fans/media see him as a ignorant thug because he says ignorant things and dresses like one. He calls it being "misunderstood".

 

[FrenchCanadianKING]

To say that Iverson should be there because he has been loyal to Team USA in the past is a horrible reason. Is USA basketball trying to win the gold medal or trying to please people that have been nice to them in the past? Age is an obvious factor, IMO, as to why AI didn't get chosen for training camp of Team USA. After all, he WAS the oldest player on the '04 team and for a player whose game is almost entirely based on speed and quickness, age is bound to affect his game for the worse sooner or later.

I doubt that his cornrows, tattoos and his "thuggish" image had to do with anything. I mena he did represent the U.S in a previous olympic so why would it be a concern now when it wasn't before?

The fact that Iverson as a player would much rather score the ball than dish it, IMO, is the biggest reason why he hasn't been included. What would Iverson bring to the table that no one else on the roster doesn't have? Iverson is a scorer and you guys already have a bunch of them. Coach K and Colangelo said that they wanted guys at the PG spot that were committed to passing the ball and making their teammates involved. Which as we all know from watching the sixers, it doesnt happen often.

As far as the Kobe comparisons are concerned. Sure, one could make a point that he is too a selfish player and that would be valid. But Kobe is 1) younger then AI, which might not be a problem right now but the olympics are still over 2 years away. and 2) he did win championships with Shaq which means that he CAN cooperate with other stars on his team when he has a chance to win. and 3) Kobe can shoot the long ball much better than AI which will no doubt help break that stingy European Zone defense that killed team USA in '04 because of their lack of shooters.

Plus if USA basketball knew beforehand that they really didn't want to make him part of the team, then I see it kind of as a favor that he didn't get invited. It saves him from the "embarassment" of, for the first time in his career, getting cut from a basketball team.

That's my take on things. I could be wrong, feel free to argue otherwise.

 

[bigbadred00]

I hate Kobe but he also plays D. Something Iverson has kind of forgetten, especially team D.

 

[Gargamel]

As far as the Kobe comparisons are concerned. Sure, one could make a point that he is too a selfish player and that would be valid. But Kobe is 1) younger then AI, which might not be a problem right now but the olympics are still over 2 years away. and 2) he did win championships with Shaq which means that he CAN cooperate with other stars on his team when he has a chance to win. and 3) Kobe can shoot the long ball much better than AI which will no doubt help break that stingy European Zone defense that killed team USA in '04 because of their lack of shooters.

Imo, Kobe can seal a win better than AI (and AI doesn't even have the last minute handicap that is Odom), even if he shot like crap for the first 45 mins. He just did it twice in a row in tough venues.

AI also depends too heavily on running into guys and flailing. NBA refs give him those calls, FIBA refs aren't as nice.

 

[FrenchCanadianKING]

Imo, Kobe can seal a win better than AI (and AI doesn't even have the last minute handicap that is Odom), even if he shot like crap for the first 45 mins. He just did it twice in a row in tough venues.

AI also depends too heavily on running into guys and flailing. NBA refs give him those calls, FIBA refs aren't as nice.

very good point, didn't think about that. Another good reason as to why Kobe is a much more logical choice than Iverson.

 

[acisking]

very good point, didn't think about that. Another good reason as to why Kobe is a much more logical choice than Iverson.

Maybe so but again people are only considering Kobe Bryant. I think the greatest surprise is the addition of Gilbert Arenas, who is really just a lesser version of AI. Think about it...he's a score first pg, that is undersized, passes less than Allen but obviously nowhere nearly as talented as Iverson is. The main problem is not really that Iverson wasn't chosen as much as he wasn't even given a chance to try. Like him or not, a former MVP who still lays it all on the court deserves at least that much.

 

[VF21]

It may well be moot.

Iverson was carried into the locker room a few minutes ago and is currently having his ankle xrayed. It doesn't look good...

 

[BMiller52]

It may well be moot.

Iverson was carried into the locker room a few minutes ago and is currently having his ankle xrayed. It doesn't look good...

How bad do you think it is?

 

[VF21]

I don't remember ever seeing AI actually carried off the court before. He was in complete agony... It did not look good. He had an off-balance shot and fell into the photographers, I think...

I hate to see any players injured, but to see someone who battles through so much be carried off the court is really frightening. Hope he's okay...

 

[FrenchCanadianKING]

Maybe so but again people are only considering Kobe Bryant. I think the greatest surprise is the addition of Gilbert Arenas, who is really just a lesser version of AI. Think about it...he's a score first pg, that is undersized, passes less than Allen but obviously nowhere nearly as talented as Iverson is. The main problem is not really that Iverson wasn't chosen as much as he wasn't even given a chance to try. Like him or not, a former MVP who still lays it all on the court deserves at least that much.

Maybe, but Arenas won't even be in his prime in 2008 at a very young 26 years old. He'll keep improving. AI on the other hand will be 33. For a player who's game is almost entirely based on speed, age won't affect it for the better. Arenas is a gym rat, constantly working on his game and practicing hard even in the off-season. He told USA basketball something like, "wether you pick me or not, it doesn't really matter because i spend my whole summers playing basketball anyway". Id rather have that kind of guy on my team than someone who thinks that practice is useless and hates it.

Plus who says that Arenas will even make the team or, if he does, see significant PT? Krzyzewski and Colangelo said that they wanted to pick the right players, NOT the best ones. Who can blame them after what happened in '04? If I was American I wouldn't want Iverson on my national team. The guy is, IMO, the most underachieving player of his generation as far as team sucess is concerned. Considering the unbelievable amount of talent that he has. Sure he made the finals in 01 but besides that, nothing. So much talent, so little team sucess to show for it. One could say the same about Garnett but he involves his even crappier teammates more than Iverson does.

Don't get me wrong I'm not an Iverson hater. I love his heart, his determination, his warrior spirit and how he constantly plays through all those injuries but he just isn't what Team USA needs from their point guards.

 

[acisking]

^^Maybe...you do make some valid points there that I agree with. Again, i'm not even saying that Iverson should neccesarily be on the team. I just don't see Arenas as any better in any of those categories than AI. And I don't mean to pick on Gilbert either. If you want to make the age argument Bowen doesn't make sense as he will be 37 or 38 by the time olympics come along (and I would argue that age is an even greater hindering factor defensively since he'll never be able to keep up with a Ginobli type player). If you want to make the case that he didn't help the Olympic team last time or that he's already had his chance, you could say the same thing about Odom, Wade and others. I don't buy the argument that he isn't a team player because he hasn't won a championship when there are so many players who haven't even been far in the playoffs (or even in the playoffs in Lebron's case) who were invited. Plus Allen has really had terrible support over the years and led a team whose second best offensive player was Eric Snow to the NBA Finals.