Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 2:07 PM | 9 comments |
 

Two For The National Team Show
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This isn't official, because USA Basketball has yet to make a formal annoncement, but sources say the 76ers' Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young are on a list of about 24 players to be invited to the U.S. National Team's mini-camp July 22-25 in Las Vegas.

The camp will involve two full days of training and a showcase intra-squad exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Toronto raptors coach Jay Triano and NBA assistants Tyrone Corbin, Utah; Dave Cowens, Detroit; Kenny Gattison, New Orleans and Jerry Sichting, Minnesota will work with the players, helping identify talent for future National Team competitions.

 
Posted by Phil Jasner @ 2:07 PM  Permalink | 9 comments
9
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:28 PM, 06/17/2009
    No one said Andre was not a good player. The problem is his best role would be like a Trevor Ariza on a good team rather than option # 1 or 2 on the Sixers. Ariza would put up the same numbers as Iquodala if forced to be the man on the Sixers. Those type of players should be great role players on contending teams. And Ariza did his job for $3 mil. Thats how you win big...superstar surrounded by a great role player like Ariza/Iquodala making $3-6 mil, not $12 mil.
    — JonKap
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:18 PM, 06/17/2009
    I hope Young learns to play some defense while he's at these camps and even in training camp. That was his biggest downfall from last season, just not being able to defend smaller 3 forwards. Iggy, well, he's a defender and a dunker, something USA could use in the future.
    — FlySixPhiEagles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:19 PM, 06/17/2009
    I don't know if Andre can be "option #1," but he is DEFINITELY a second option calibre player (no matter how much the "Iguodala contract haters" express their jealousy). Andre carried the Sixers after Elton Brand went down and after the coaching change and was knocking down last second shots to win games against the likes of the Lakers (IN LA). Haters, GET OVER IT....DUDE CAN PLAY! All he needs is a healthy Elton Brand.
    — 21stCentury
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:33 PM, 06/17/2009
    I guess they don't want to win.
    — MD20202020
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:06 PM, 06/17/2009
    Head to head Andre is a far better all around offensive player than Ariza. I think Iguodala's passing gets overlooked. He is an outstanding, yes outstanding, play maker. If here were an outstanding shot maker too, he would be among the top 5 in the league. But, at the moment he is decent shot maker with potential. It was not a group of Third grade fans who invited him to the National Team party. And for that matter, let us not overlook our budding young star, Thaddeus Young. That young man was putting up sparkling offensive numbers for a ten game stretch before the injury (I hope he's OK). He's only 20. I'd have to say thing are looking up for the Sixers.
    — incog69
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:31 AM, 06/18/2009
    And if they draft Brandon Jennings (trade to move up 7 spots) they might have another invitee. He's the most exciting point guard in this years point guard loaded draft. A pass first version of Iverson with more defensive potential due to his length. Plus, he learned a lot in Europe that doesn't show up in his DNP-CD stat lines (strange thing for the Italian coaches to do to their most talented player). He could average 10 assists a game in the Sixers line-up.
    — incog69
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:32 PM, 06/18/2009
    No matter how you slice it, having a guy on your team who averages 19/6/5, AND is an excellent defender, is a pretty good thing. And congrats to Thad, too. I didn't expect that.
    — FKD215


9 comments
About Bob Cooney
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.

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