Utah Jazz: Kirilenko, Boozer, Williams now set sights on Beijing
Except a threesome with an eye on the Summer Games.
Andrei Kirilenko is a lock for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with his game-high 17 points leading his Russian national basketball team to the 2007 European Championship title last September, and an automatic Olympic berth.
Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams hope to be members of the United States squad playing this summer in Beijing. Both are among the 30-plus members of the U.S. Select men's basketball roster, from which the '08 U.S. Olympic team will be culled.
Both have worthy resumes. Boozer was a member of the 2004 U.S. team that took the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics and earned All-NBA and All-Star honors during the 2007-08 season.
Williams, a late addition last spring to the U.S. Select Team, helped the Americans clinch a Beijing berth as the United States went 10-0 at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament last summer in Las Vegas. He was also named to the All-NBA team this season.
"I'm sure we'll both make it," said Boozer at Saturday's locker-room clean-out at EnergySolutions Arena.
"It's an opportunity to play for your country, and that doesn't come along for athletes very often," he said. "We don't take that very lightly — we relish the opportunity. That's something that me and Deron will do, and we're excited to be a part of that team. But first we've got to make it."
Both are looking at stiff competition at their respective positions for the 12-member U.S. Olympic Team.
Besides Boozer, other power forward candidates on the U.S. Select roster include Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers and Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Boozer will hope that his '04 Olympic participation, his NBA honors credentials and his having played collegiately at Duke for '08 U.S. head coach Mike Krzyewski work in his favor, and that his absences from the U.S. teams the past two summers (injured in '06, family circumstances last year) as well as his struggles in the recent NBA playoffs don't hurt him.
Williams is seen as mired in a four-man race for likely three point-guard spots, along with Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Pistons.
Paul had an MVP-like season for the Hornets, with Williams not far behind, particularly with his impressive postseason showing. Kidd is said by some to be a lock again for '08 since he provides veteran savvy and a strong past in international competition. Billups' chances are enhanced by his versatility, able to switch between the two guard positions.
Recent comments
Turkey failed to qualify in the Euro Tourney last year. Memo will...
Sloan Hater | May 19, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.
I'm not sure, but I think Turkey didn't qualify for the Olympics...
Ing | May 18, 2008 at 12:07 p.m.
What about Memo? I know he didn't participate last year... but...
Matt | May 18, 2008 at 7:29 a.m.
