Of the guys who actually wanted to play, the biggest name to be left off the Team USA list is Allen Iverson. It’s created quite the buzz in Philly, but by all accounts AI is handling the decision like a pro.
Iverson, to his credit, has handled the situation with quiet class. He’s not firing back or taking the bait from the Philadelphia media, simply saying he wanted to play and is sorry it’s not going to work out.
Some have even speculated that since AI endorses Reebok, that Team USA-sponsor Nike pushed for his absence.
Why would Nike want the face of Reebok? Would there be another controversy, like the Dream Team covering its gear logos with the American flag in Barcelona?
And then add the curious fact 15 of the 23 players are already in Nike’s endorsement stable. Hmmm. Jerry Colangelo, general manager for the U.S. senior program, shot back Sunday at all the AI conspiracies.
“There is no validity to that, no truth at all,” Colangelo said. “When you get down to it, that’s an attack on someone’s credibility. I take that one a little bit personal. … We weighed all considerations. The final determination was to invite those that we did. There was a lot of speculation, some very bizarre. I just think we’re better off going the route we are.
“That doesn’t mean this is perfect, that it is foolproof, and it means no disrespect to Iverson. I absolutely (applaud) him for playing in 2004 when the other names weren’t there, and I respect and appreciate the way he has handled this.”
I’ve said it before, but AI’s gritty play during the ’04 Olympics was one of the best things about that team. I’m not a huge fan of all the drama that seems to surround him, so maybe that has something to do with the snub. He is also nearing his 31st birthday, so maybe his age factored into the decision as well.
