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**IbizaXL** · 01-08-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

By Michael Cunningham
Staff Writer
Posted January 7 2006

Phoenix -- Shaquille O'Neal said he might play for the U.S. national team after all.

After saying from more than a year that he had no interest in playing internationally again, the Heat center said a meeting with USA Basketball's Jerry Colangelo persuaded him to consider making the three-year commitment Colangelo is seeking.

"Colangelo is a well-respected man," O'Neal said. "He had a lot to say. I told him I respected him and I would really consider it.

"Now I have to go home now and talk to mamma [O'Neal's wife, Shaunie]. I am having a baby in May. I got to talk to her about it and we'll see."

Colangelo, chairman and CEO for the Phoenix Suns, has revamped the selection process for the team after its disappointing showing in international competitions in 2002 and 2004. He wants players to attend camps before the World Championships this summer, next summer and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

O'Neal, who won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and 1994 World Championships, said the length of the commitment "factors in a lot" to his decision. O'Neal would be 36 for the Beijing Olympics, and while he said getting back the gold for the U.S. is motivation, he thinks "some of the younger guys should step up."

Lakers guard and O'Neal nemesis Kobe Bryant has expressed interest in playing for the national team, though Colangelo has yet to formally invite him. O'Neal said his potential U.S. teammates wouldn't matter.

Argentina beat the U.S. en route to the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where the U.S. settled for the bronze. Which international team poses the biggest threat to the Americans this time around?

"If I am out there, nobody," O'Neal said.

Colangelo plans to announce the players who will be at the first camp by the NBA All-Star break in February.

"I told him I will contact him personally and let him know," O'Neal said. "He's a great guy. I really thank him for thinking of me."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/b...la-sports-heat

Is this really a good idea? Shaq is too old to even make a 3 year commitment, plus, international play doesnt matchup good with him. Other teams will just tire him out with its fast pace(i.e. Suns)
Him teaming up with Kobe doesnt concern me(hate to admit it, but i would actually love to see these 2 become teamates again...just a guilty pleasure

)
Anyway, In the end i dont REALLY think Shaq is going, but just the fact that hes having second thoughts gets to me a bit. what do you guys think?

**DQ for 3** · 01-08-2006, 09:33 AM

Duncan dropped his name out of consideration....I think Shaq is sorta feeling obligated

DemonaL · 01-08-2006, 09:46 AM

i dont think he wants to be on the same team with kobe.
oh wait he could be tryin to get kobe not to play? or piss him off?

PartisanRanger · 01-09-2006, 10:43 AM

Shaq at 36 is still probably better than almost any of the League's centers. I'm not sure how the international game will treat him, though.

Mavericks_Fan · 01-09-2006, 12:05 PM

Shaq is a bad fit for the Olympic team. He's already too out of shape and slow to keep pace up and down the court....in 3 years it'll be who knows how much worse.

Dwight Howard or Chris Bosh would be better choices for center for the upcoming Olympics.

**EHL** · 01-09-2006, 05:45 PM

Shaq will be 36 in 2008. Does he really think he'll still be good by that age?

And Kobe was the first person invited to the Olympic team, by Colangelo himself. Don't know how the Sun Sentinel fudged up that information.