Kobe Heads US Team to Beijing Games
List of the 12 players:
NBA's MVP
Kobe Bryant from Lakers will spearhead the 12-man USA Olympic men's basketball team announced on Monday in Chicago for the Beijing Games this August.
Lebron James (Cleveland),
Dwyane Wade (Miami), second time Olympians, and Olympic debutant
Chris Paul (New Orleans) were also included in the squad, which the USA Olympic Committee hopes to capture the gold medal in Beijing after a bronze-medal showing in Athens four years ago.
They were joined by
Carmelo Anthony (Denver),
Jason Kidd (Dallas),
Dwight Howard (Orlando),
Michael Redd (Milwaukee),
Deron Williams (Utah),
Carlos Boozer (Utah),
Chris Bosh (Toronto) and
Tayshaun Prince (Detroit).
The team features six guards and five forwards with Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic the only regular center named in the team.
The coaches:
Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski is head coach of the USA team. Serving as assistant coaches are Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D'Antoni and Portland Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.
"Our team has excellent athleticism and great versatility. We have players who are experienced in the international game thanks to the last two summers' training and competitions. I feel really good where we are, we have the foundation in but we have a lot work ahead, "Krzyzewski said.
Past and future:
The United States got a disappointing bronze medal in Athens Olympics in 2004, and also finished third at the world championship in Japan two years ago.
The United States will begin its first training in Las Vegas on Friday and play a series of exhibition games against other NBA players, as well as other countries' teams in July and August.
