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 Wednesday, January 12
Carter, Iverson or Ray Allen? Tough call
 
ESPN.com

 
Allen Iverson
Plenty of people would like to see Iverson, the league's top scorer.
So what do you think about the decision to give the final spot on the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team to Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks? Not that there is anything wrong with Allen, who is having a career year, but what about Vince Carter? What about the NBA's leading scorer, Allen Iverson? And does anyone have an opinion on some of the guys already chosen for the team, including Vin Baker, Tom Gugliotta and injured Tim Hardaway?

Here are some e-mails we've received since the announcement of the team was made on Tuesday afternoon.


Why didn't Chris Webber make the team? Grant Hill and Zo have both been on the team already. What a joke!

Jim Knight
Fair Oaks, Calif.


Antonio McDyess has been overlooked for the Olympics the last two seasons. He's paid his dues and deserves a spot!

Troy Hooper
Aspen, Colo.


There is no doubt that Allen Iverson should have made the US team for Sydney. He is the leading scorer in the NBA for a winning team with a bunch of role players. This is not to knock the Sixers, they are a great "team" but he is a superstar. This is not true for Ray Allen. He is not the go-to guy, Big Dog is, or Sam Cassell. Iverson is who everyone wants to see, and it is a shame that he did not make the team. I hope it is not because of his cornrows or tattoos that kept him of the team. That would go against what these players are supposed to represent.

Matthew Hoffman
Rosemont, Pa.


I have a question of my own. Does this country want to win or not? If you look at the players chosen, these players are "team" players, which means they will either win or lose together and not worry about a flashy dunk (Vince Carter) or scoring all your teams' points each game (Allen Iverson). This group has talent, a good work ethic, and a natural concept of team basketball.

Khaled Mahmoud
Portland, Ore.


I just wanted to comment on the Olympic Dream Team. I don't have any problem with the last three selections; Mourning, Allen, and Hill. The real mistakes were made with the players that were chosen earlier. With the way they're playing, I don't think Baker, Gugliotta, and Hardaway will even make the All-Star team this year. I don't see how they can be qualified to make the Dream Team. The U.S. Team is going to win the gold regardless, but I think they could have generated much more international interest in basketball by sending more exciting players. I have nothing against Houston and Smith but their games can put most fans to sleep. I would have been very happy with a line-up that consisted of the following players: Kidd, Bryant, Mourning, Hill, Webber, Garnett, Duncan, Jason Williams, Carter, Eddie Jones, Wallace, and Finley.

SEB
Los Angeles


Why not have Jason Williams of the Kings on the Olympic team? We are obviously going to take the gold, so why don't we do it with some flash? He's arguably the best player to watch in the league, so show him off to the rest of the world. In my opinion he and Vince Carter should be on the team.

Jeff Valliere
North Royalton, Ohio


How does the league's leading scorer, by more than three points a game, not even get consideration for a spot on the Olympic team?

Anthony House
Marlton, NJ


As a Canadian citizen I am hoping that the USA does poorly at the Olympic games, but you gotta be kidding me. How could they omit Vince Carter? He is one of the best young talents the NBA has to offer to the world. Not only is the Olympic team selling themselves short by not choosing him, but they are also depirving the rest of the world from seeing how great he is. Being from Toronto, we know what he can bring to the table. Yes, Ray Allen is a good player, but seriously not even Spike Lee could muster up enough Hollywood to be as good as Carter.

Victor Chard
Toronto


Eddie Jones should have made the Olympic roster. Sure, he's hurt right now, but he's due back next week. His talent as a scorer and slasher, but more importantly as a defender, would have been a tremendous asset to the team. I'm not knockin' Ray Ray, but EJ's got the D to go with the offense.

Max Wanger
Honolulu


Wow, what a tough job it would be to pick the Olympic team. I commend the committee on the players chosen, except for a few, like Gary "it's all about me" Payton, but all in all, great job. Vince Carter is absolutely one of the most amazing and entertaining players in the league, but hats off to well-rounded, hard working Ray Allen and the incredible Alonzo Mourning.

Karen Osborn
Los Angeles


I can't believe some of the players who got chosen to represent the Olympic basketball team! No Vince Carter?! Get rid of some of these old legs like Steve Smith, who already had his chance! Get rid of Vin Baker, who hasn't done much in the last two years except become horizontally challenged. Ray Allen is a fine pick but get rid of some of the others. Tim Hardaway over Allen Iverson?! Does the Olympic Committee understand that they should not only represent solid players, but the best and most entertaining players. The players that other countries will look at and think, "Wow, the U.S. is just unbelievable, we can't even catch up to these guys."

Jake Gaft
Los Angeles

 



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Hill, Mourning, Allen complete U.S. Olympic team