SKOLNICK: Olympics can help Wade, Odom improve for next season

Published June 28, 2004

 

Thursday night, Dwyane Wade thanked all the NBA stars that passed on the Olympic opportunity. Heat fans should too. Now that the Heat has found its young core, notably Wade and Lamar Odom, no acquisition is more important than that duo's acquisition of valuable experience.

 

As Pat Riley said Thursday, "They both have to get better. ... If both Lamar and Dwyane are next year where they are this year, then we're not going to get better."

 

So their expected Eurotrip should be something to celebrate, not fear.

 

You're worried about security? That's reasonable, though I suspect it wasn't the real reason all those other stars balked. Otherwise, they might soon refuse to play in the United States, since so few screeners at arenas even peek inside bags anymore.

 

You're worried about injury? Then wouldn't you have worried as much if Wade had sought out the "best competition" in Chicago gyms, likely playing with his usual abandon?

 

You're worried about wear-and-tear and weariness? "I'm 22 years old," Wade said. Odom is 24.

 

So while the Charlotte brass is irritated by the planned participation of first-round pick Emeka Okafor, the Heat has been right to encourage this experience.

 

Wade gets another chance in another pressurized atmosphere to test his game against and with the best. Odom, who appreciates his altered image, gets a reward that should keep him on course. Both get to be coached by Admin Brown, who Tim Hardaway gushed about after his own Olympic experience. Excited Heat fans get more reason to buy tickets and build a healthy buzz for the season. And, though the free-agent period precedes the Olympic tournament, the Heat front office can still use the chance to "play with two Olympians" as a recruiting tool.

 

So even if the U.S. team loses, the Heat still wins. ...

 

Guilty until proven innocent, Part II: It seems any basketball player who attends college is devalued, since there's an assumption those good enough go straight to the pros. Also devalued? The college coach. What does it say that NBA teams would rather oversee a player's development than trust a college has done it well? ...

 

More quick slants for a slow sports time:

 

The NBA doesn't need an age minimum. It needs something more ambitious: a truly affiliated minor league without the minimum (20) the National Basketball Developmental League has. No, that wouldn't keep any more kids in school. But an NBA team could keep a veteran a little longer if it could send a prospect down while keeping his rights. And it could keep an eye on that prospect's coaching and progress, without stashing him on an injured list. ...

 

If the Heat had drafted a point guard, then Eddie Jones, with 15 minutes at each swing spot, would have made a solid sixth man. ...

 

Ethan J. Skolnick can be reached at eskolnick@sun-sentinel.com.

Copyright ? 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

I wasn't too fond of the idea at first but it's true, they have just as great a risk of injury if they workout in the summer here so it's no biggie.

 

I'm glad Wade and Odom can partake in this, not everyone gets this opportunity and it'll give them good practice.

 

Who knows, maybe they'll even come home with a medal...

It'll also help the other players too.

 

On the side note, Alex Gonzalez sorta looks like Carlos Boozer with a thicker goatee and a cap on.

I wasn't too fond of the idea at first but it's true, they have just as great a risk of injury if they workout in the summer here so it's no biggie.

 

I'm glad Wade and Odom can partake in this, not everyone gets this opportunity and it'll give them good practice.

 

Who knows, maybe they'll even come home with a medal...

I'm still not to fond of the idea but its true what they said about the age. They are still young and can handle the pounding..but....

 

Odom and Wade both have been injury prone through out their careers so far.

 

So I dont know. I'll just support them and the USA basketball team and hope for the best.

I think no matter what they do in the offseason there will be a chance of injury. But atleast they will be representing the USA, instead of just staying home and working out.

Who knows, maybe they'll even come home with a medal...

maybe? they better come home with a medal. it better be gold to.

i totally support them going....i hope they PWNZ

 

i doubt wade will start, but any chance odom will start?? i think his versatility will help

This is a great opportunity for both guys and should really help USA Basketball get back on track after not winning the Gold the last time.

well we did win gold last time in the olympics. its the world championships we lost.

 

f***ing 6th place

well we did win gold last time in the olympics. its the world championships we lost.

 

f***ing 6th place

 

 

That's what I meant :shifty