<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If the Lakers' Kobe Bryant undergoes offseason shoulder surgery, he won't be able to play this summer for the U.S. national team. That could be good news for the Mavericks' Michael Finley. Finley, one of the few positives as a member of the U.S. team that finished sixth in the World Championship last year, will be among the short list of candidates if Bryant cannot play, according to a report in The Dallas Morning News. Craig Miller, assistant executive director for public relations, told the paper that the selection committee would act quickly to replace Bryant if he cannot play, but that several issues still must be resolved. First, of course, is Bryant's status. During an MRI exam Wednesday, a labrum tear was discovered in Bryant's right shoulder socket. Bryant said he was "pretty sure" he would undergo surgery. Bryant said plans were on hold in terms of his participation for Team USA in the Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held Aug. 20-31 in Puerto Rico. "I was really looking forward to competing with the fellas," Bryant said "Right now, what they're talking is I'm going to miss a big bulk of the summer." If Bryant cannot play, the committee must then decide if his replacement will be given an automatic spot on the 2004 Olympic team or simply act as a fill-in this summer. Presuming he's healthy next year, Bryant will rejoin the U.S. team.</div>
Current Team ---------------- Ray Allen Tim Duncan Jason Kidd Tracy McGrady Allen Iverson Jermaine O'Neal Mike Bibby Karl Malone Elton Brand Richard Jefferson Kobe Bryant (injured) Nick Collison **I think LeBron James should replace Kobe**
Jason Kidd - 6'4" Allen Iverson - 6'0" Tracy McGrady - 6'9" Jermaine O'Neal - 6'11" Tim Duncan - 7'0"
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If Kobe cannot play who should be his replacement?</div> Carmelo! Nah. Mike Bibby really doesn't deserve to be on the team, it should be Marbury instead.
I don't think any other teams should even show up to this tournament...That lineup is the best even without Kobe. I think Vince should replace him to do dunk over some more french players!
Seems ben wallace might be added to the squad...mainly because larry brown is going to be coaching the team.....and he wants a new player of his to join the team...will be funny with larry coaching AI again...
who cares the team is alreayd an embarrassment anyway. they clearly arent even trying to pick the best players so why would they pcik wallace finley pierce duncan or any of the players who truly deserve to be there
Of all people why bibby? shame....i would of liked marbury to be there...and why collison? if you want a young guy..pick amare
exactly the whole roster is ridiculous. theyve got bibby, brand, jefferson and collison theyve got no marbury, francis, pierce, duncan or ANY of the HUNDREDS of players who would be better than jefferson and collison. if they really wanted a "dream team" they shouldve only picked real stars
Seriously, why Bibby. On another team, like he was before, he is a good PG. Last years Lakers series turned him into this elite superstar player. Francis, Marbury, where are they? Duncan?
duncan is there. the team would be complete with KG. i think he was already invited.. was he? he really should play. him and TD would be insane. as for Collison, i think they like to have a college player on the roster for some reason
Maybe with Kobe's injury it will make KG rethink his stance on this and accept an invitation to play for the team.
Oh, right TD is there. Yeah, the whole college player thing, I am guessing they like to have someone who completed all four years.
Francis KG - replace Malone Payton - replace Bibby Pierce - replace Jefferson Marbury - replace Collison Big Ben - replace Brand LeBron - takes Kobe's spot I like the backcourt duo of Steph and AI, they were great a few years ago in the All Star game when Steph played in NJ.
They were, but I'm not sure if everything is all patched up in their personal relationship. Marbury and AI for some reason hold a grudge against each other. I'm not sure if it's as strong as it used to be but I'm pretty sure the animosity towards each other is still there. However, with that being said, Marbury really wants to be on the team so I'm pretty sure he will let all that stuff take a back seat. It's weird, with the league complaining about so many players not wanting to take part in this type of stuff there are two players on Phoenix who really want to go, yet have no been invited (Marbs and Marion).
