For months Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas has made it clear to anyone who would listen he wants to be a part of the United States Senior National Team headed to Japan for the World Basketball Championships in August.
It is the second biggest international tournament behind the Olympics and Arenas is one of 23 NBA players invited to participate in next week’s USA Training Camp in Las Vegas. The final roster will be selected after six days of tryouts.
“I’m excited, but a little nervous, too. It’s different,” said Arenas, who conducted a workout at Verizon Center on Tuesday in preparation for the event. “I’ve got to go out there and fight and try and win a spot on that team. You have the best players in the game chosen. It’s like an All-Star game,but for real.”
Arenas’ lobbying finally extended to the people whose opinions matter most. He had an extended phone conversation with USA coach Mike Krzyzewski on July 5, telling the Duke coach he could help solve one of the biggest problems USA national teams have faced: clashing egos.
“We have scorers. We have Kobe [Bryant], we have LeBron [James], we have Dwyane Wade. They don’t need that from me,” Arenas said. “All they need from me is to run the team, play defense, be athletic, hit open shots. I’m willing to do that.”
Following a five-day break after the final roster is chosen, the national team will reconvene for more training and exhibition games until the tournament begins in Sapporo, Japan on Aug. 19. On the heels of a grueling NBA season that didn’t end for some players until June 20, that schedule can cut into rest needed for next season. But for Arenas, a notorious gym rat, it would be worth it.
“I know that people don’t want to give up their summers to play basketball when it’s such a long season,” Arenas said. “But you’re not playing for your team. You’re playing for your country. I’d be proud to wear USA on my jersey.”
Gil Unfiltered
The Wizards two-time All-Star shared his opinions Tuesday on topics ranging from USA Basketball to Eddie Jordan’s future in D.C.
Gil on …
The USA’s chances of bettering poor recent showings
“Watching those games you do criticize. Oh, they need shooters. I could have played. That’s what you say to yourself. But those teams still went out there and played hard. This team is going to have more time. We’re going to practice. We’re going to put a team together that gets along. That team really didn’t have a chance. It was just put together.”
First-round draftpick Olexsiy Pecherov
“I like that kid. He can shoot and he likes to work. I asked him how long you guys practice over there and he said three hours every practice. And he was like, ‘I love practice, practice, practice, practice.’ I’ve never heard that from a young kid. Hopefully he can catch on by the middle of the season, learning what he needs to learn. I wouldn’t keep him over there. I’d bring him here so he can get accustomed to the game.”
The Wizards’ lack of off-season moves so far
“We still have time to pick up free agents to help this team out. Everyone in the Eastern Conference is getting better. And we need to do that, too. Teams are getting older. We want to be one of those young teams that tries to creep up into one of those top spots. I think we have a chance.”
Eddie Jordan’s impending contract extension
“He’s going to be back now and we have a chance at a three-peat, making the playoffs again. I know he’s excited. He deserves it. He’s taken a team that had been in a playoff drought for many years and got them to the playoffs twice.”
What he needs to see from the front office to remain in D.C. when his contract expires in 2008
“This is where I want to be truthfully. I just don’t want to see myself in a position like Allen Iverson or Kevin Garnett, where you’re making so much money that your team can’t bring anyone else in. I don’t want to be in that position where it’s just you. I want to win a championship. I want to be like San Antonio where they keep guys coming in.
