U.S. Olympic team has no surprises

ACC alums Paul, Boozer will suit up with Kobe, LeBron, Kidd Anthony

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul and Utah Jazz big man Carlos Boozer have done well for themselves in the NBA, well enough to earn the former ACC standouts a shot at a gold medal playing for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski at the Beijing Olympics in August.

The former Wake Forest and Duke stars were named to the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team on Monday by Krzyzewski, national team head coach, and Jerry Colangelo, the national team managing director.

It's the beginning of the end of a three-year commitment by Krzyzewski and the rest of the 33 national team players.

The U.S. team trains this weekend in Las Vegas, then returns on July 20 for the final push. The U.S. will play exhibition games in several Far East locales before opening Olympic play against host China on Aug. 10.

Asked how he felt about winding down as head coach of the national team, Krzyzewski said, "I'm actually gearing up."

"I'm excited as I've ever been as a coach, and it's the biggest honor I could ever have."

Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony also made the team as expected and will likely comprise the starting unit.

Paul should share the backcourt on the second unit with Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter Michael Redd will also provide scoring off the bench, with Boozer, Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince and Toronto Raptors big man Chris Bosh rounding out the rotation.

The Olympics spot finishes off a big year for Paul, who finished second in voting for the 2008 NBA MVP award.

Paul impressed Krzyzewski and Colangelo with his play in the NBA playoffs. Paul outplayed Kidd to lead the Hornets to a first-round victory over Dallas.

"The kind of year he had this year, he demonstrated that very few guys in the NBA can guard him," Colangelo said. "I don't think that will change in international play."

Colangelo dismissed any rumblings from NBA teams complaining about the NBA's biggest stars spending their summer playing for the U.S.

"My own opinion is that it's a little selfish to consider that player only as he plays for that team," he said. "There's something about national pride and representing your country. I think the owners and those people who support it are on the right track."

Miami coach Pat Riley told Colangelo the Heat was eager to have Wade play this summer to prepare for the 2008-09 NBA season. Bryant, who suffered a torn ligament in his right pinkie during the NBA playoffs, told Colangelo that if he needed surgery, it could wait until after the Games.

"We're lucky to be able to coach and play at this level," Krzyzewski said. "The game is bigger than all of us. We owe the game."

The gold-medal game will be played Aug. 24. The U.S. won't be successful unless it plays and wins.

When the U.S. lost three games and won the bronze medal in Athens in 2004, it was the first time the U.S had not won gold since NBA players began competing internationally in 1992.

Krzyzewski defended the 2004 squad that was built late, built too young (average age 23.60 years) with NBA neophytes James, Wade and Anthony, and leaned too heavily on Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson.

"You can't win at this level without [preparation]," Krzyzewski said. "There are too many good teams."

The U.S. responded with a structured national team, with players committed for years at a time, more like its international competitors. The U.S. is ranked No. 1 in the world followed by defending Olympic champion Argentina, defending world champion Spain, Serbia and Lithuania.

San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili, who won the gold medal with Argentina in 2004, said last week the Americans are the team to beat. Jazz guard Williams agreed.

"I don't think [other teams] are scared of us anymore," Williams said in a teleconference from Salt Lake City. "But the way we came together last year and meshed in a short time, it'll be tough to beat us. ... Anything less [than gold] will be disappointing to us, to fans, to everyone."