Collison played well as Team USA’s ‘12th man’. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty

SUPERSONICS.COM: It’s been almost two months, but we haven’t gotten your perspective on summer league. How was it for you?
Nick Collison: It was good. We had a real good team – we went like 6-1. We really played well together. Personally, I played alright. I got in foul trouble a lot, which I wish I didn’t, but I played well. I got a lot better as the tournament went on, and that’s what I wanted to do. Overall, it was a real good experience.

Was it good to have the opportunity to test yourself against some other top rookie big men like Chris Bosh and Brian Cook?
Collison: Yeah. It was fun to play against those guys. We matched up a lot before the draft, and you kinda get real close to your rookie class because you spend so much time with them with that, pre-draft, and then the rookie transition. It was good to play against those guys.

How was the Team USA experience?
Collison: That was great for me, practicing especially. I had to face Jermaine O’Neal, Tim Duncan, those guys every day, and it was great for me. Now when it’s time to get out onto the court I’ll just be ready to play, I won’t take any time to try to adjust to the talent and the length of the guys because I’ve already done that. It will help me a lot in my progression this year.

Were you pleased with your performance during the tournament?
Collison: Yeah, I played well. I obviously didn’t get a lot of minutes, but when I got in there, I played well. I was happy that it was fun, it was a fun tournament.

Was it nice, given your international experience, to reach the senior men’s team, the highest level of international competition?
Collison: Oh yeah. I was real surprised when they asked me to play. I never would have thought they would have picked me to play. When they did, it was great. All those summers, I think, paid off because they knew I was going to do a good job, I was going to play hard and do what the coaches wanted me to do. They knew that because of the summers I played. Part of it was a reward for playing all the time, but also I think they knew I would do a good job.

Team USA went 10-0 and won the gold medal. How do you think it compares to past incarnations of Team USA?
Collison: It’s right up there. It’s probably not as good as the ’92 team. The rest of them, I’d say it’s real competitive. We had great inside play with Timmy, Jermaine and Elton (Brand). Jason Kidd, running the point, is probably the best point guard in the league. We had scorers on the wings, (Tracy) McGrady and (Allen) Iverson, and they all played real well together. It was a good group.

A lot has been made of the teamwork Team USA exhibited this summer. Did you see that up close?
Collison: Yeah, you could. Guys really did a good job of doing whatever the coaches wanted. If that meant not getting very many shots, it didn’t matter. Guys really got along well.

Have you heard anything about the possibility of playing for Team USA next year during the Olympics?
Collison: I don’t know what they’re going to do. I’d imagine they’re probably going to try to get a couple of other guys. They’ll see what happens with Kobe (Bryant), and I’m sure they’ll try to get Shaq (O’Neal) again. But they could also try to keep it the same because it was pretty successful team. One thing I do think is if a guy who had been a pro, an All-Star level player, was playing as little as I did and Richard (Jefferson) did, they’d be pretty upset and it could hurt the chemistry. For a guy in my position, it’s great for me to go just for the experience. We’ll see what they do either way. If they don’t ask me, I definitely understand, but if they do, that would be a great honor.

Watching the pickup games today, you and Ray Allen hooked up for a number of easy baskets. Did you guys develop a strong relationship playing together for Team USA?
Collison: Yeah, definitely. I think Ray knows the things I can do now. He knows I can shoot a little bit, he knows I’ll run, so he’s looking for me in transition. Off the court, we’ve gotten to know each other. He’s going to be great, as a vet, to try to help us along.

During the tournament, Iverson was quoted as saying, “The guy who has impressed me the most is Nick Collison …That's my pick for Rookie of the Year.” What does it mean to have him say that about you?
Collison: Oh, that’s great. A guy like Iverson – one of the best players in the league – a guy who doesn’t have to say anything nice about you if he doesn’t want to. For him to give me a compliment like that, it means a lot. I think I gained those guys’ respect, and that’s basically what I wanted to do – in practice or whatever playing time I got. That made me feel real good.

Are you looking forward to starting training camp?
Collison: Yeah, I think so. Summer’s been so hectic, it’s crazy that it’s here already, but I’m ready to get it started and start to establish myself as an NBA player. I think that’s what all rookies want to do. They’re sure that they can play in the league, but they want to get out there and really show it. That’s kinda where I’m at now. I’m confident I can play, but I want to get out there and show it – that I’m going to be in the league a long time.

Are you trying to get a feel for how you fit into the team during these pickup games?
Collison: Yeah. It’s real good. I haven’t gotten to know about but Ray and Luke, really, so playing with the other guys is great.

From a team chemistry standpoint, do you think it’s important to have this many guys here already?
Collison: Yeah, I think it’s rare for an NBA team to be like this, working together. One of the things about Seattle that I knew was going to be great was the guys relations. They get along well. A lot of young guys, and, like I said, guys that get along well and want to win. There’s great attitudes on this team; it’s a fun team to play with.