<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ben Wallace is headed to the NBA finals this weekend. Later this summer, he'll head to Athens to play for Team USA, ESPN has learned. Wallace, the Detroit Pistons' star center, has accepted an invitation to play for the U.S. at the Summer Olympics and now awaits official confirmation. "They asked me two weeks ago if I would say, 'Yes' to playing on the team, and I said, 'Yes,' " Wallace said prior to Tuesday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, which the Pistons won to advance to the NBA finals. "I don't know if they have decided what to do because they haven't announced it yet." An official announcement is expected at a later date, as U.S. coach Larry Brown, who is also Wallace's coach in Detroit, said the USA Basketball selection committee will have a conference call this week to find replacements for players who have withdrawn from the roster. Pistons teammate Richard "Rip" Hamilton, a guard, also is expected to be named. Wallace, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the All-NBA second team for a second straight time this season. The U.S. roster now includes Mike Bibby and Stephon Marbury at point guard, although Bibby has been wavering in his commitment; Allen Iverson and LeBron James, as well as Hamilton, at shooting guard; Richard Jefferson and Shawn Marion at small forward, Amare Stoudemire and Tim Duncan at power forward; and Wallace at center. </div> Link
I personally think they should throw Rasheed in the mix too: they need another big man, he plays for Larry Brown and he's playing well.
This is great, they got someone reliable and fun to watch. Compared to a lot of the others, he's a veteran in comparison. So some experience on the team would be good, he'd also probably play well alongside Duncan. All the Pistons are good at defense and that could make them even more winning prone. So having Rip along would simply add to the goodness. I'm looking forward to this, it's starting to look like it could take it.
at least we finally found some players that are interested in playing... seems like players are coming up with every possible excuse not to go they are avoiding Athens likes it some sort of air bourne disease I think both Rip and Benny would be great on Olympic team...PLUS they know Coach Browns style of play and what he expects...i also expect AI to come up big from that advantage point as well
Yeah its good Team USA finally got a strickly defensive player,Rip will be a good addition to.Maybe Jermaine ONeal will join the team to,he would also be a great addition.I think Team USA is already capable of getting gold,they have a complete team now.
I like both additions. We get some good offense as well as some good defense. So every thing seemed to work out perfectly. Current Team USA Roster: Tim Duncan Allen Iverson Mike Bibby Richard Jefferson LeBron James Stephon Marbury Amare Stoudemire Shawn Marion Ben Wallace Richard Hamilton *Michael Redd *Jermaine O'Neal *= Doubtful O'Neal says he probably won't play in Athens No Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd nor Tracy McGrady, but so far that list looks pretty good. BTW... Does anyone know if the games are going to be nationally televised?
I like the addition of Ben and Rip. Ben will add his defense to the team. Rip will be adding alot of offensive talent to the team. Rip has really proven himself in the playoffs. He has just been incredible and it will help the team alot.
If i were choosing the starting line-up. i'd want it to be Marbury, LeBron, Rip, Amare, and Duncan...that sounds pretty sweet to me. Ivy is a close decison to replace Marbury...although im not sure if he's comfortable at the pg
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If i were choosing the starting line-up. i'd want it to be Marbury, LeBron, Rip, Amare, and Duncan...that sounds pretty sweet to me. Ivy is a close decison to replace Marbury...although im not sure if he's comfortable at the pg</div> Allen Iverson is going to start regardless. If they had a true PG like Jason Kidd in the Qualifying Round and still had Allen Iverson start over him, then is obvious he's going to get the starting PG spot over Marbuy. BTW besides Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson is their best player, and I think he would be more effective starting.
