<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Shane Battier is taking a wait-and-see approach. But it goes without saying that if he is indeed invited Sunday to play for USA Basketball, then he will gladly accept. The Grizzlies' forward confirmed Wednesday that he'd been contacted via a letter detailing USA Basketball's interest some time ago. Battier still is awaiting official word. "I'm a candidate to make the national team," Battier said before the Grizzlies played the New York Knicks in FedExForum. "I have not made the national team yet. Obviously, it's an honor to be mentioned in the same breath of the all stars in this league." According to ESPN.com, Battier, Josh Howard, Luke Ridnour, Rashard Lewis and Brad Miller are among the 22 NBA players expected to participate in training camp with Team USA. U.S. national team director Jerry Colangelo will make the news public Sunday. The training camp will be held in Las Vegas in mid-July. "It's a pivotal time for USA Basketball," Battier said. "They've taken a lot of shots from people over the past few years, and it's time to assemble a team to reclaim its rightful crown." Rounding out the roster are Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Michael Redd, Amare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade. Shaquille O'Neal has a standing invitation to join. Colangelo will appear live Sunday on ABC to discuss the players and plans leading up to the 2006 World Championships and 2008 Olympics. </div> Source
I must admit i was surprised he wasn't on the initial list. He's just the type of player such a team would need and seeing him there would add a lot of interest for me when they play against my team.
I really hope he gets to go, and gets to try out, and makes the team. He is what basketball really should be about; hustle, desire, team and winning. Team USA could really use a guy like him, and who knows? At the rate he's improved as a scorer with increased minutes this year, he could be a really solid all around threat by the time the Olympics come around in two years. Either way, I think he should be on the team, if only to be a cheerleader. Every team, no matter how full of stars it is, can always use a guy like him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TDoug:</div><div class="quote_post">Battier would have a guaranteed spot with Coach K running the team.</div> I was thinking the same thing. Not only is he the perfect "role player", but he's got to be Coach K's all-time favorite player, or at least one of them. Hopefully, if he makes the team, more of America will see the type of player he's become, because he's made amazing adjustments from the college level. Back when he played on Duke they were on national tv every night, and now that he's in the NBA, he's on national tv maybe once or twice a year, so I've found that most people don't know the kind of effort he puts into the game. It sounds amazingly cliche to gush about his hustle, his determination, his unselfishness, etc.; but he's the one player who best embodies all of those characteristics.
