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James, Marbury, Marion get U.S. invite
LeBron James, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion will be invited to join the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, sources told The Associated Press.
The USA Basketball Selection committee held a conference call Tuesday to choose several replacement players on a roster that will be missing several of the best American players.
Three sources with knowledge of the selection committee's actions, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. federation had decided to add the 19-year-old James, the NBA's Rookie of the Year from the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the likely replacement at shooting guard for Kobe Bryant.
The Cavaliers said James would accept the invitation and make a public comment Wednesday.
Marbury was added to replace Jason Kidd, who has indicated he'll likely withdraw, and Marion will provide depth at forward with Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone not expected to participate.
The committee is still awaiting definitive word from Shaquille O'Neal, who has said his decision will depend in part on how far the Los Angeles Lakers (news) advance in the NBA playoffs.
Tim Duncan reaffirmed his commitment to play last weekend, and Jermaine O'Neal, Richard Jefferson and Allen Iverson also will be member of the American team that will open training camp in late July.
"A lot of guys that were selected are now up in the air," U.S. coach Larry Brown said, "but I feel comfortable with the guys I'm going to go with."
The latest players to waver are Tracy McGrady of Orlando and Mike Bibby of Sacramento.
Vince Carter has already withdrawn citing his wedding plans, and Ray Allen has said he will not play because of the upcoming birth of a child.
Malone has not officially withdrawn, though he has made it clear that nobody should expect to see him in Athens.
Bryant has said it is unlikely he will play, though he left his options open in the event his sexual assault trial in Colorado is scheduled for September or later.
Sources told the AP that if Shaquille O'Neal decides to sit out the Olympics, Kenyon Martin of New Jersey and Lamar Odom of Miami are among the players being discussed as possible replacements. If Bibby withdraws, Sam Cassell is the leading candidate to replace him, and Ron Artest and Carmelo Anthony are among the names being discussed to replace McGrady, if he backs out.
James will become the youngest member of the team.
He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.8 rebounds for the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming one of the league's top road attractions while leading the revitalization of that franchise.
Marbury, an eight-year veteran point guard for the New York Knicks (news), previously played for USA Basketball in 1994 at the Junior Olympics.
Marion, a five-year NBA veteran, was a member of the U.S. national team that finished a disappointing sixth at the 2002 World Championships. That team was the first American team with NBA players to lose at an international competition since professional players began competing at the Olympics in 1992.
"The four years that have transpired since Sydney, the teams have gotten better, the players have gotten better," Brown said. "And maybe we're not sending the very best, but we'll be well represented and I'm confident they'll do well." |
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