After watching Team USA's basketball team barely make it through 3 games and it's become abundantly clear that team USA needs Freddy Hoiberg! Team USA has no outside presence and they need to sign Hoiberg and Hassell to the team. KG is already out, so we need to get these two guys on the roster. Hassell playing the mad "D" and Freddy knocking down mad jumpers. Just my thoughts, peace. Players who declined Olympic invitation. Sacramento's Mike Bibby, Orlando's Tracy McGrady, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and the Lakers' Karl Malone are "core" members of the original roster who have formally pulled out for various reasons, be it injury or security fears or simply a desire for offseason rest.The Lakers' Kobe Bryant, New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Seattle's Ray Allen were earlier withdrawals from the core group, which was assembled during the 2002-03 season in hopes of establishing continuity before heading to Athens.Shaquille O'Neal, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, Toronto's Vince Carter, New Jersey's Kenyon Martin and the Clippers' Elton Brand also have declined invitations, with reasons ranging from injuries (Kidd and Brand) to weddings (Garnett and Carter) to childbirth (Allen's fiancee).
