Sure We can, Look at G.O. Joking aside, I believe risk of injury is simply an excuse to stay home and work on specifics of his game
I think your "to each his own" properly conveyed your amount of seriousness. The other poster just doesn't get it. The thing that makes me really go WHAAAA?!? on this whole deal is that it's not like he's being asked to be on the team yet. He's being asked to try out for the team. It's not like he's committing to months of serious game play. We're talking about a week or two of tryouts. You're really splitting hairs here. The punchline is that LaMarcus hasn't done anything to improve his game in the four years he's been in the NBA. He's the same player now that he was then. I was a little excited about the idea of LaMarcus trying out for the national team as maybe being around other players that are at or above his level would inspire him to work harder and be more. But that's simply not going to happen. LaMarcus is what he is and that makes me sad. I wonder if Andrea Bargnani would say no thanks to a tryout for team USA if given the chance.
Well, to be more accurate, he has improved his game, he just hasn't changed his game. Granted, the improvement has been minimal, but at least he's trending the right direction.
Me, neither. It's up to Aldridge what he wants to do with his offseason, as long as it's within reason, and whether he plays on Team USA or not seems reasonable. Ed O.
As I said elsewhere, I imagine the reason he declined is to spend time with his son who I believe is around a year and a half now. I am also under the impression that his son lives with his (the son's) mother in Texas year round, so Aldridge doesn't really get to see him during the season unless the ex-girlfriend is available to fly up during the Holidays or weekends. Considering Aldridge's history that he's talked about regarding his own absent father, and how he is very loyal and protective of those who are close to him and does not want be the kind of dad his dad was (or wasn't), I imagine this is exactly the reason he declined. I would decline too if I were in his shoes.
When I first heard the news that he would be trying out for the team it filled me with false hope for future improvement. Now that false hope is gone.
I would have prefered to see him play. It would be cool to have a Blazer on the USA team (if LA could get that far) and I think it's got to help his game. If anything the knock on Aldrdige is his softness and seemingly lack of passion for the game. Playing on the team could help show his commitment to the game. Now he shouldn't be judged by his demeanor on the court, but couple that with declining to try out . . . well Durant he is not. I guess good for him that he is spending time with his son, and maybe if you want the character guys this is what you get, but damn it, I want to see some passion from the PF. The injury issue is always a risk. But if players such as Kobe, Lebron, Wade, that whole dream team and practically every superstar to play the game and their respective organizations take on that risk . . . well Aldrdige can take that on to. I hope it isn't about avoiding a possible injury, I would like to believe it is more about the son. (I would like to believe LA goes to bed thinking basketball, wakes up thinking basketball and practices all day long)
I still do not see how being on this team makes him better. Learning an offense and playing with guys you will never play with again is all very nice. It is just doesn't make you better. I would prefer he spend his summer working on his moves, shooting 1000 hook shots a day, lifting weights, relaxing with his son, and getting mentally prepared for the season. Not getting mentally burned out. The USA team won't necessarily hurt him, but I can't see it helping that much either.
I can't imagine playing for the US team would be enjoyable for a player like Lamarcus. That team is full of some of the biggest egos in the league, it just doesn't seem his style. I feel like he would rather work on beating those guys than playing with them.
Well, the idea is it would transform his work ethic, which in turn would make him better. However, I suspect the attributions of such improvements by other players came from being on the team for an extended period, not for merely trying out for it. As such, LMA probably would benefit very little by participating right now.
I was in the Army also man, but this doesn't bug me. I don't think playing for your country is a sign of patriotism, it's just another all-star game. Nothing different the the McDonalds all america game.
I guess i am having a hard time believing that LMA went from having one of the best work ethics on the team to having no work ethic in one year. Yes I know he signed a big contract last year and so it is possible. But my guess is he is working on his game as we speak.
I hope the final roster is: PG - Rondo & Rose SG - Curry & Evans SF - Granger, Gay, & Iguodala PF - Lee, Love, & Wallace C - B.Lopez & Chandler http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5382844
