<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James will wear the red, white and blue this summer after all.Cleveland's All-Star forward ended uncertainty about his status with the U.S. national team on Tuesday night by saying he will play in next month's FIBA America's Tournament, where the Americans will try to qualify for the 2008 Olympics."I'm going to play," James told The Associated Press. "I've had enough time off, and knowing my body more than anybody, I'm ready to play. I don't know how much I'm going to play or how extensively, but I'll be ready."For several months, James had said he was "50-50" about playing for Team USA this summer. He and his girlfriend recently had their second son, and with the Cavaliers making it to the NBA Finals, James may have wanted some extra time off after playing more than 100 games since last October.However, the 22-year-old, who played on the U.S. Olympic team at the 2004 Athens Games and for the U.S. squad that won a bronze medal at last summer's world championships, intends to honor his three-year commitment with USA Basketball."It was a long and tough year," James said. "But for me, if I make a commitment, I want to keep it. I'm a loyal guy. I committed to three years and I'm going to hold up my end of the bargain."James' decision was welcomed news for U.S. Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski, who toasted James before a kickoff dinner preceding a three-day summit involving James' corporate business partners."I know people don't realize the commitment that these guys are making," the Duke University coach said. "Literally, with the playoffs, you play well over 100 games in a season, so they give up a lot and when they give up parts of three summers, I ultimately respect their commitment. It's a big-time thing and I need to run things in a way that's respectful of that commitment."The U.S. team will have a three-day minicamp from July 20-22 in Las Vegas. Three weeks later, the Americans will resume practice in preparation for the 10-team tournament that begins on Aug. 22.Two teams from that tournament will qualify for the Beijing Games.So far, USA Basketball has commitments from Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Carlos Boozer, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire, Michael Redd, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.Miami's Dwyane Wade will not play in the summer tournaments following shoulder surgery, but the Heat star told Krzyzewski on Monday that he will report to the mini-camp and wants to help out during practices in August."Dwyane called me and said, 'Coach I'm one of the captains, and it means a lot,'" Krzyzewski said. "That's a heck of a thing."James' waffling a few months back was met with a stern response from Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo, who said James could be jeopardizing his status as a core member of the team for Beijing.Playing in China is vitally important to James' business interests as well. He has become one of that nation's most popular players and some of his endorsement sponsors -- Nike, Coca-Cola and Upper Deck to name a few -- would like to tap deeper into that overseas market.James has been studying some Mandarin in preparation for the Olympics.The U.S. team finished third in Japan last summer, another humbling result for the Americans who can no longer claim to be the world's best at basketball. James, though, is confident the new additions to the team will help restore U.S pride in a sport it once dominated."Kobe's back. We got J. Kidd, Chauncey," James said excitedly. "We've definitely got a group that knows how to win. We'll be ready to play."And Krzyzewski is ready to coach them to a gold medal."Chauncey, Jason, Kobe, Amare, those are huge pluses for our team and also because their egos are at a place where it doesn't have to be about them," he said.While watching the Cavaliers' first run to the NBA finals -- which ended with them being swept by San Antonio -- Krzyzewski was impressed with James' improvement throughout the playoffs."There are certain things that you can only learn from experiencing them," he said. "I thought the Detroit series for him was huge in that he took so much crap for the first two games."But instead of putting his head between his legs, he responded with four unbelievable games."</div>LinkEh, I didn't want him to play for team USA.. But if they don't work him that hard then I guess it's fine. Just don't cry about being tired, LeBron.
No one want's to clean baby sh*t all the time, mabye he's trying to get away from that?? lol it's only a guess to why he really want's to play USA ball.
This will make it tough for LeBron to come back next season at full strength. I really think he'll be really tired out by this fall.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Amare320 @ Jun 26 2007, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No one want's to clean baby sh*t all the time, mabye he's trying to get away from that?? lol it's only a guess to why he really want's to play USA ball.</div>Just another reason why I thought he would skip this and stay home for the summer. Rest up, and work in the gym daily on his jumper, Free-throws, etc.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (808Hornetsfan @ Jun 26 2007, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This will make it tough for LeBron to come back next season at full strength. I really think he'll be really tired out by this fall.</div>Yup. And I bet he makes the same excuse as last-year when he wasn't doing to well. I don't even wanna hear it.
It's sad that this is news. It should be an honor to be selected to wear the red, white, and blue. It's really no wonder we get destroyed in the FIBA America's Tournament when half of our players don't even want to be there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SBoyd415 @ Jun 27 2007, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's sad that this is news. It should be an honor to be selected to wear the red, white, and blue. It's really no wonder we get destroyed in the FIBA America's Tournament when half of our players don't even want to be there.</div>I agree - how can you put playing for your country after your team - I mean I understand the money side of it but DAM representing you country should be an HONOUR!
Why don't you Cleveland fans think about your country first. Isn't it best that James represent his country? Don;t you feel more loyalty to your country than your NBA franchise?
Kobe Bryant can handle the whole thing himself, sure I wanna win the Gold. But come on, Cleveland is a city that hasn't won a title in forever and we are trying to break this curse. James is obviously the only one that is able to do so at the moment, so we need him at 100 percent for the season. I will enjoy watching him play for the Team, but I'll hear the same lame excuse about him being tired next season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CavsRules @ Jun 27 2007, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant can handle the whole thing himself, sure I wanna win the Gold. But come on, Cleveland is a city that hasn't won a title in forever and we are trying to break this curse. James is obviously the only one that is able to do so at the moment, so we need him at 100 percent for the season. I will enjoy watching him play for the Team, but I'll hear the same lame excuse about him being tired next season.</div>Kobe? Are you kidding me? Kobe is a NBA player. To win in the international game you've gotta have passers, versatile players, guys who make teamates better, Lebron is the best in the league at that.
Kobe can pass, but he has no one to pass to on L.A. I'm sure he'll do just fine with Jason Kidd. Kidd and Kobe is gonna be sick.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Jun 27 2007, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why don't you Cleveland fans think about your country first. Isn't it best that James represent his country? Don;t you feel more loyalty to your country than your NBA franchise?</div>You represent your country when you go to war.This is basketball, it's mostly who cares to me...I have more respect for the people that would rather spend the time with their wife and kids actually.
It shouldn't matter if LeBron James is 100% or not, you should focus on building a team around him first. I'm sure at 80% LeBron James is still one of the best in the league...As for the US team, you look at the old Dream Team (Jordan, Bird, Magic, Barkley, Malone, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Mullin, Ewing, Stockton) and then you look at our team of today (Kobe, James, Amare, Marion, Boozer, Bosh, etc) and its very obvious that we do not have the best team we could have out there, especially with non-factors with Morrison and Reddick. Half the stars are out with "injuries" Dwayne Wade & Gilbert Arenas' injuries are questionable...I just think its pathetic how the owners and players are more worried about the possibility of an injury than winning it for the US.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Jun 27 2007, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why don't you Cleveland fans think about your country first. Isn't it best that James represent his country? Don;t you feel more loyalty to your country than your NBA franchise?</div>Disagree. He should rest for next season.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>You represent your country when you go to war.</div>Agree.Obviously Cleveland fans will want LeBron to get rest to be 100% for next season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Combs @ Jun 27 2007, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You represent your country when you go to war.This is basketball, it's mostly who cares to me...I have more respect for the people that would rather spend the time with their wife and kids actually.</div>See this is why USA basketball sucks so much, it's attitudes like this. Gone are the days in America where your country was your source of pride and what represents you. And while America moves away from this notion, other countries catch up. Same with olympics and USA soccer and baseball. We as Americans are loosing everything that made us want to be better than other countries in sports and athletics.
Man, Lebron is gonna be tired as sh*t come next season. He's gonna get like a month of rest; that isn't enough. I think his production on the court will suffer, and he might not even improve upon this year. After all, Lebron's 3rd year was better than his 4th.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Jun 27 2007, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>See this is why USA basketball sucks so much, it's attitudes like this. Gone are the days in America where your country was your source of pride and what represents you. And while America moves away from this notion, other countries catch up. Same with olympics and USA soccer and baseball. We as Americans are loosing everything that made us want to be better than other countries in sports and athletics.</div>so truee....
