<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The team has struggled. It has received scrutiny and harsh criticism at home. And he isn't having a fraction of the fun he thought he would have. But Allen Iverson said that not only would he do it again, he'd tell any NBA player who has a chance that he should play for the United States in the Olympics. "Even without the scrutiny and the criticism, it hasn't been that fun for me anyway," Iverson admitted yesterday after the United States closed out the preliminary round with an 89-53 victory over Angola. "I think I can speak for a lot of guys when I say that. "But who said it was going to be fun? We came out here to accomplish a goal, which was to win a gold medal. That's basically supposed to be the most fun of all." Team NBA/USA lost twice and finished fourth in Group B, the weaker of the two pools. The players have struggled with consistency, and head coach Larry Brown has done a lot of complaining. Still, they are in the elimination round of the tournament, and like every other team, just three victories away from a gold medal. The United States will play Group A winner Spain (5-0) in a quarterfinal game on Thursday. "It's always been clear," said USA forward Lamar Odom. "It never got dark, even with the losses. We knew the competition was going to be tough, but we also know that everybody is 0-0 right now.</div> <div align="center">Full Story</div> He was the 8th Selection for this year Olympic Team, but it was ironic that he out of all people stayed committed to this team. Nonetheless, he's enjoying himself overseas, and as he indicated "it hasn't been drop-dead fun like we thought it would be", he still having a blast and would do it all over again. Now all of this is just talk and speculation being that it?s by far too early to see whether he would join the next Olympic Team, but I believe if he?s free to do it again in the next Olympics he just may do so. The title of this thread may be deceiving but Iverson just may be giving an indication that he would want to return.
If he aquires gold in the olympics this year I dont think he should go there next season. He will have nothing left to prove to anyone. Also a lot of things can change in four years like Avery said. We dont know what types on injuries he will have in the next four years, how good he will be after hitting thrity and his speed going down, and if he will stay committed to the game. Its good to here he is enjoying himself though I guess when your over seas the harsh media of the United States does not get heard much over there. I hate all this cristm of AI and team USA because when and if they win gold the media will be the first to jump on the AI never give up band wagon.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">If he aquires gold in the olympics this year I dont think he should go there next season. He will have nothing left to prove to anyone. Also a lot of things can change in four years like Avery said. We dont know what types on injuries he will have in the next four years, how good he will be after hitting thrity and his speed going down, and if he will stay committed to the game. </div> ^Agree. 4 years is too long for a 'predecision', and I hope he gets the gold medal no matter what. My team(CHN) is fine but doesn't deserve a gold medal, sorry to Yao. So at least I want to see my favorite player owns the honor. And if, I mean, Allen is in good condition in 2008 and wants to play the Olympics, I'll welcome him here in Beijing.
Iverson will be about 33 when those games hapen. I believe he may want to go help the younger players there and he will provide some great veteranship for the team. If the USA wins the gol this year I'm not too sure, but if they don't you can bet your money we'll see Iverson wearing the <font color="Red">red</font>, <font color="White">white</font> and <font color="Blue">blue</font> in 4 years. I still expect IVerson to be in good shape and be there even if he wins the gold this year as will LeBron, Melo, and Wade.
The question is, is the USA going to let him go to the olympics again....I think not ...As much as I like watching him play, with the USA's loss today, not too many players will be baack.
