USA Basketball: Men and Women

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

May 28, 2004

Last year, USA Basketball named nine NBA players to the USA's Men's Senior National Team which would represent the United States in the 2004 Summer Olympics to be held in Athens, Greece, August 13 through August 29. The players were: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Karl Malone (Los Angeles Lakers), Ray Allen (Seattle Supersonics), Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs), Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers), Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana Pacers), Tracy McGrady (Orlando Magic), and Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings). Three players were to be added at a later date to finalize the roster.

On May 26, 2004, Team USA's Olympic Coach, Larry Brown, announced McGrady "dropped out" and will not play for the team this summer. McGrady joins Ray Allen, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves), Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors), Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers) and Kenyon Martin (New Jersey Nets) among players who have withdrawn from the team or have told the selection committee they would not accept invitations. Now, compare the state of the men's team to the USA's Women's Senior National Team.

The nine core group members of the 2004 USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team include Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Shannon Johnson (San Antonio Silver Stars), Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks), DeLisha Milton-Jones (Los Angeles Sparks), Katie Smith (Minnesota Lynx), Dawn Staley (Charlotte Sting), Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets). Not one woman has "dropped out" from the team; and, two more players (Swin Cash, Detroit Shock and Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury) were recently added to the roster which leaves just 1 remaining spot on the team. In fact, despite tearing her ACL in her knee in February, DeLisha Milton-Jones did not leave the team; and, she is still planning to play in the Olympics in August! Also, Diana Taurasi played her senior season at Connecticut which ended with a championship in April; trained with Team USA in April; begun her rookie season in the WNBA in May. Then, she will play in the Olympics in August -- without a break!

Gentlemen, what's going on?!

I'm not judging the decisions made by the men to not play for Team USA; but, it is ironic wedding plans; concerns about safety; and the need to rest have been cited by the men while the women have said nothing except safety is an issue of concern for them, too.

The ultimate irony is I have not seen or heard one member of the national media discuss the differences between the decision making of the two national teams. Stories have featured Larry Brown and the NBA players; but, no national mention of Van Chancellor, Team USA's women's head coach, and his team which has had no departures.

Personally, I have concerns about the threats of terrorist attacks at the Olympics, too (especially after watching the segment on HBO's "Real Sports"; but, if I were given the opportunity (and, of course, if I had the skills), I would proudly represent the United States, despite its shortcomings, in a heartbeat.

Let me state the original core members of the Men's Team have been replaced by: LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Richard Jefferson (New Jersey Nets), Stephon Marbury (New York Knicks), Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns) and Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); so, the team is still quite talented; however, the team is now younger and more inexperienced internationally than the original team. Plus, the roster is still not finalized because another player or two may decide to "drop out".

I'm not saying I believe the men will not "bring home the gold"; but, without many of America's best players, the task will be more challenging. I have no doubt (sorry Van) the women's team will win the gold medal because the team is simply too talented for the rest of the competition and, more importantly, the ladies play team basketball.

I wish good luck to both teams; but, I do hope the Women's Team gets more national attention before the Olympics begin.