Denton: Howard Named to 2010-12 USA Team Program
By John Denton
February 10, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
CHICAGO – Orlando Magic superstar center Dwight Howard could have a chance at a second gold medal after he was named a part of the 2010-12 USA Men’s National Team Program on Wednesday.
Howard was one of 27 players chosen for the program, but more importantly one of nine players who won basketball gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.
Team USA will compete in the FIBA World Championship in 2010 in Turkey, and once qualified, Team USA would be the likely heavy favorites going into the 2012 Olympics in London.
A smaller group of U.S. National Team members are expected to be selected to participate in the 2010 USA National Team’s opening training camp in July. Training dates and locations for the USA National Team training camp will be announced at a later date.
Returning to the USA National Team for 2010-12 are 2008 Olympic gold medalists Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Howard, LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).
``Special recognition and acknowledgement needs to go to the nine players returning from our 2008 Olympic Team,’’ USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a release. ``They have demonstrated that they are the heart and soul of our program and their commitment to continue to represent their country should not be overlooked.
``Just as was the case in 2006-08, the composition of the USA National Team will be fluid and by that I mean there could be additions to this group,’’ Colangelo continued. We’ve learned to expect that you may have injuries; there may be special circumstances where players can’t perform, so you need flexibility with regards to the addition and deletion of players in the program. This is the group from which we will build our 2010 World Championship squad. We are taking the Worlds very seriously and know that this is the most important basketball competition in international basketball and it needs to be respected accordingly. We won gold at the 2008 Olympics because of the team we were able to assemble and build and we’ll all be hard at work to do that again, and finish on top in Turkey this summer.’’
Howard’s Orlando Magic teammate, Rashard Lewis, was invited to be a part of the Team USA squad, but declined.
Howard leads the NBA in rebounding (13.4) and blocked shots (2.75), which he did last season to become just the fifth player in NBA history to accomplish. If he can repeat the feat, he would be the first player ever to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in two consecutive seasons.
Howard, whose Magic (35-17) face the Bulls (25-25) in Chicago tonight, also ranks first in the NBA in double-doubles (40) and he’s second in the league in field goal percentage (59.8 percent). The pending free agencies of Boozer, Bosh, James and Wade could keep that group out of Team USA’s training camp this summer.
That makes the depth of the team important. Here are the other players chosen for the 2010-12 squad: Lamar Odom (Lakers), Amare Stoudemire (Suns), LaMarcus Aldridge (Blazers), Chauncey Billups (Nuggets), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Rudy Gay (Grizzlies), Eric Gordon (Clippers), Danny Granger (Pacers), Andre Iguodala (Sixers), Al Jefferson (Timberwolves), David Lee (Knicks), Brook Lopez (Nets), Kevin Love (Timberwolves), O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies), Kendrick Perkins (Celtics), Derrick Rose (Bulls), Gerald Wallace (Bobcats) and Russell Westbrook (Thunder).
Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, mentor of the 2008 gold-medal winning team, will once again direct the squad.
``I’m really excited about the players who were selected and who committed to be part of the 2010-12 USA National Team. I’m especially pleased that so many members of the 2006-08 team wanted and were able to return,’’ Krzyzewski said in a release. ``We know from our prior experiences that continuity, team work, and player versatility are critical parts to assembling a team that will be successful.
``With these 27 players we’ve got a great mix of players who are now experienced in the international game and some of the most promising and exciting players coming up though the USA Basketball program."
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonFebruary 10, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
CHICAGO – Orlando Magic superstar center Dwight Howard could have a chance at a second gold medal after he was named a part of the 2010-12 USA Men’s National Team Program on Wednesday.
Howard was one of 27 players chosen for the program, but more importantly one of nine players who won basketball gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.
Team USA will compete in the FIBA World Championship in 2010 in Turkey, and once qualified, Team USA would be the likely heavy favorites going into the 2012 Olympics in London.
A smaller group of U.S. National Team members are expected to be selected to participate in the 2010 USA National Team’s opening training camp in July. Training dates and locations for the USA National Team training camp will be announced at a later date.
Returning to the USA National Team for 2010-12 are 2008 Olympic gold medalists Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Howard, LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).
``Special recognition and acknowledgement needs to go to the nine players returning from our 2008 Olympic Team,’’ USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a release. ``They have demonstrated that they are the heart and soul of our program and their commitment to continue to represent their country should not be overlooked.
``Just as was the case in 2006-08, the composition of the USA National Team will be fluid and by that I mean there could be additions to this group,’’ Colangelo continued. We’ve learned to expect that you may have injuries; there may be special circumstances where players can’t perform, so you need flexibility with regards to the addition and deletion of players in the program. This is the group from which we will build our 2010 World Championship squad. We are taking the Worlds very seriously and know that this is the most important basketball competition in international basketball and it needs to be respected accordingly. We won gold at the 2008 Olympics because of the team we were able to assemble and build and we’ll all be hard at work to do that again, and finish on top in Turkey this summer.’’
Howard’s Orlando Magic teammate, Rashard Lewis, was invited to be a part of the Team USA squad, but declined.
Howard leads the NBA in rebounding (13.4) and blocked shots (2.75), which he did last season to become just the fifth player in NBA history to accomplish. If he can repeat the feat, he would be the first player ever to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in two consecutive seasons.
Howard, whose Magic (35-17) face the Bulls (25-25) in Chicago tonight, also ranks first in the NBA in double-doubles (40) and he’s second in the league in field goal percentage (59.8 percent). The pending free agencies of Boozer, Bosh, James and Wade could keep that group out of Team USA’s training camp this summer.
That makes the depth of the team important. Here are the other players chosen for the 2010-12 squad: Lamar Odom (Lakers), Amare Stoudemire (Suns), LaMarcus Aldridge (Blazers), Chauncey Billups (Nuggets), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Rudy Gay (Grizzlies), Eric Gordon (Clippers), Danny Granger (Pacers), Andre Iguodala (Sixers), Al Jefferson (Timberwolves), David Lee (Knicks), Brook Lopez (Nets), Kevin Love (Timberwolves), O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies), Kendrick Perkins (Celtics), Derrick Rose (Bulls), Gerald Wallace (Bobcats) and Russell Westbrook (Thunder).
Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, mentor of the 2008 gold-medal winning team, will once again direct the squad.
``I’m really excited about the players who were selected and who committed to be part of the 2010-12 USA National Team. I’m especially pleased that so many members of the 2006-08 team wanted and were able to return,’’ Krzyzewski said in a release. ``We know from our prior experiences that continuity, team work, and player versatility are critical parts to assembling a team that will be successful.
``With these 27 players we’ve got a great mix of players who are now experienced in the international game and some of the most promising and exciting players coming up though the USA Basketball program."
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
