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Posted on Thu, Dec. 22, 2005
James thinking about Olympics
Cavaliers star ready to talk to Team USA head Colangelo about future
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - Within the next few weeks, LeBron James should have a better feeling on where he stands with USA Basketball.
James said Wednesday that he has been in contact with Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who is USA Basketball's managing director, and is trying to set up a meeting with him soon. Colangelo has contacted about 40 players and is holding meetings with potential members of next summer's World Championship team and 2008's Olympic team.
After becoming frustrated with playing time and coach Larry Brown during the 2004 Athens Olympics, James was lukewarm at best when considering rejoining USA Basketball. He hopes the meeting with Colangelo will rekindle his interest.
``I want to get a feel for him, and I'm sure he wants to get a good feel for me,'' James said after practice Wednesday where the Cavaliers were preparing to face the Chicago Bulls tonight. ``Then I'll be able to give a better answer.''
Colangelo, the man tasked with rebuilding USA's battered basketball image after a sixth-place finish at the 2002 World Championships and a bronze at the '04 Olympics, is looking for a three-year commitment from players. It includes this summer's World Championships in Japan, along with next summer and Beijing in 2008. The purpose is to foster chemistry and togetherness.
He has plans to conduct a training camp in July, where a roster would be formed from 20 or so players trying to make the team. Colangelo told the Tacoma News Tribune on Tuesday that he'd already received commitments from eight players to try out.
There has been some concern that requiring the three-year commitment and having to make a cut would drive away some stars, many of whom already passed on the last Olympics. James said he's thought about it and is willing.
``I've made it known I didn't like the circumstances in the Olympics. I didn't like what happened,'' James said. ``But if I think it is going to be better, I would make a three-year commitment.''
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will head up the team in Japan and in Beijing with high-profile assistants Mike D'Antoni from the Phoenix Suns, Nate McMillan from the Portland Trail Blazers, and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. James, who was soured by his dealings with Brown, said he'd be glad to give Krzyzewski a chance.
``I've only met him once; I don't know his system; I don't know his style,'' James said. ``I'd have to spend some time with him.''
Hughes away
Guard Larry Hughes did not practice and did not travel with the Cavs to Chicago on Wednesday while dealing with a family matter. The Cavs aren't sure he'll be able to join them for the game this evening, listing his status as questionable.
James hot
James has been scoring points in bunches, sure, but looking past the points column is where it gets more impressive. During the past nine games, James is averaging 34 points and shooting 53 percent from the floor in those games. In the past five games, James is shooting 62 percent from the field. He's the only player in the NBA who is averaging more than 25 points and still shooting above 50 percent on the season.
It has been more than just making shots; it has been his choices. In the past two games, for example, he has scored 66 points while taking just 31 shots. Part of it is he has learned when he can get to the basket and get to the foul line.
``The scary part about that is, that's LeBron; I don't know anybody else that can do it,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``I truly believe it is because he's got a great understanding of when he can take certain shots. When he takes one or two shots that aren't in the flow, he makes up his mind that his next shot is going to be aggressive going to the rim.''
Said James: ``I feel like every shot I take and every move I make is going to work. My comfort level is really high. It is knowing I don't have to take bad shots to keep us in the game.''
James thinking about Olympics
Cavaliers star ready to talk to Team USA head Colangelo about future
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - Within the next few weeks, LeBron James should have a better feeling on where he stands with USA Basketball.
James said Wednesday that he has been in contact with Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who is USA Basketball's managing director, and is trying to set up a meeting with him soon. Colangelo has contacted about 40 players and is holding meetings with potential members of next summer's World Championship team and 2008's Olympic team.
After becoming frustrated with playing time and coach Larry Brown during the 2004 Athens Olympics, James was lukewarm at best when considering rejoining USA Basketball. He hopes the meeting with Colangelo will rekindle his interest.
``I want to get a feel for him, and I'm sure he wants to get a good feel for me,'' James said after practice Wednesday where the Cavaliers were preparing to face the Chicago Bulls tonight. ``Then I'll be able to give a better answer.''
Colangelo, the man tasked with rebuilding USA's battered basketball image after a sixth-place finish at the 2002 World Championships and a bronze at the '04 Olympics, is looking for a three-year commitment from players. It includes this summer's World Championships in Japan, along with next summer and Beijing in 2008. The purpose is to foster chemistry and togetherness.
He has plans to conduct a training camp in July, where a roster would be formed from 20 or so players trying to make the team. Colangelo told the Tacoma News Tribune on Tuesday that he'd already received commitments from eight players to try out.
There has been some concern that requiring the three-year commitment and having to make a cut would drive away some stars, many of whom already passed on the last Olympics. James said he's thought about it and is willing.
``I've made it known I didn't like the circumstances in the Olympics. I didn't like what happened,'' James said. ``But if I think it is going to be better, I would make a three-year commitment.''
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will head up the team in Japan and in Beijing with high-profile assistants Mike D'Antoni from the Phoenix Suns, Nate McMillan from the Portland Trail Blazers, and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. James, who was soured by his dealings with Brown, said he'd be glad to give Krzyzewski a chance.
``I've only met him once; I don't know his system; I don't know his style,'' James said. ``I'd have to spend some time with him.''
Hughes away
Guard Larry Hughes did not practice and did not travel with the Cavs to Chicago on Wednesday while dealing with a family matter. The Cavs aren't sure he'll be able to join them for the game this evening, listing his status as questionable.
James hot
James has been scoring points in bunches, sure, but looking past the points column is where it gets more impressive. During the past nine games, James is averaging 34 points and shooting 53 percent from the floor in those games. In the past five games, James is shooting 62 percent from the field. He's the only player in the NBA who is averaging more than 25 points and still shooting above 50 percent on the season.
It has been more than just making shots; it has been his choices. In the past two games, for example, he has scored 66 points while taking just 31 shots. Part of it is he has learned when he can get to the basket and get to the foul line.
``The scary part about that is, that's LeBron; I don't know anybody else that can do it,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``I truly believe it is because he's got a great understanding of when he can take certain shots. When he takes one or two shots that aren't in the flow, he makes up his mind that his next shot is going to be aggressive going to the rim.''
Said James: ``I feel like every shot I take and every move I make is going to work. My comfort level is really high. It is knowing I don't have to take bad shots to keep us in the game.''
