USA - Garnett not up for Games
With all due respect to the red, white, and blue, Kevin Garnett is focused on wearing Celtic green. USA Basketball president Jim Tooley confirmed that Garnett was approached about joining its 2008 Beijing Olympic squad within the last week. The first-year Celtics forward won a gold medal while playing for the United States during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Tooley, however, said the 10-time All-Star respectfully declined the invitation.
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With all due respect to the red, white, and blue, Kevin Garnett is focused on wearing Celtic green.
USA Basketball president Jim Tooley confirmed that Garnett was approached about joining its 2008 Beijing Olympic squad within the last week. The first-year Celtics forward won a gold medal while playing for the United States during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Tooley, however, said the 10-time All-Star respectfully declined the invitation.
"There is no discussion about that," Garnett said. "I don't want to discuss that. They know that."
Said Tooley: "We understand his decision and respect it. He's with a good team and he's focused on that."
Garnett and Celtics teammate Ray Allen were both on that 2000 USA team, the last one to win an Olympic gold medal. The US's roster currently includes such big men as Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, and Chris Bosh, but could have definitely used Garnett. In fact, regular Nuggets small forward Carmelo Anthony started at power forward for the US in this summer's FIBA Americas tournament. While Allen and Celtics teammate Paul Pierce have USA Basketball experience, neither is expected to play in the Olympics next year.
"They have a team and the team is already established, which is good. I've had my time in it," said Garnett, who was second in scoring for Team USA during the 2000 Games, averaging 10.8 points per game.
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2007/11/15/garnett_not_up_for_games/