Oden Will Not Play For Team USA

Greg Oden’s agent, Mike Conley Sr., said Friday in the Oregonian that Oden will not play this summer with Team USA

“The next time he touches the floor, he wants to be 100 percent,” Conley said. “The last year or so, there’s always been something that has held him back - his wrist, his breathing, his tonsils. He wants to be 100 percent, and he knows that no one cares about excuses. The next time he touches the court, he wants people to see the real Greg Oden.”

It’s been reported before that if Oden missed this summer’s training camp and the FIBA Americas tournament he wouldn’t be on the team next summer for the 2008 Olympics. However, his agent said that Greg hasn’t been excluded at this point.

“No one’s said that’s for sure,” Conley said. “I haven’t heard that.”

In Sunday’s Oregonian John Canzano wrote an article about Oden deciding not to play for Team USA. He makes some good points on why Oden skipping the chance to win a gold medal will benefit the Blazers.

“Call me un-American, but I’m thrilled to hear that Oden passed on the invitation to join the national team this summer.”“Oden just put himself, and the Blazers, first.”

I’m torn on how I feel about Oden not having a chance to play in the Olympics. From a Blazers win/loss perspective next season, taking the next month off to heal is the best choice. From a Blazers publicity perspective I think that having Oden play on that global stage representing not only USA but Portland and the Blazers would be amazing. I think that Greg as an individual would really be helped by learning from the NBA’s best. Being able to bring USA basketball back to the top and winning a gold medal for his country would seem like a good start to his NBA career.

What do you think? Should Oden have played for Team USA, or is he doing the right thing by declining? Leave your thoughts in the ClubBlazers.com Forums.

– OdenForROY.com