New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd said a few days ago that, if drafted, he would make the two-year commitment to avenge Team USA's dismal showing in the World Championships this summer in Indianapolis.
Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett hasn't been asked yet but expects to be, possibly as soon as today in New York. Garnett said Saturday that he wouldn't be surprised if NBA Vice President Stu Jackson visits with him while the Wolves are in town to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Garnett -- who won a gold medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and competed in the 1999 qualifying round in Puerto Rico -- is willing to do his duty, under one condition: It's got to be fun.
"We had fun, man," Garnett said. "You didn't tell us that we needed to work. We were professional. When we stepped on that floor, it wasn't an ego thing. It was, 'Let's just get it done.'
"But I saw Baron Davis this year talking about how horrible, how he hated it. That's not why I signed up."
The U.S. squad lost three times and finished sixth, its first setback since NBA players joined the international competition with the Dream Team in 1992. Players such as Davis and Paul Pierce said they did not enjoy playing for Milwaukee coach George Karl, and Karl and critics claimed some U.S. stars played selfishly.
Garnett wants none of that rancor.
"I enjoyed myself with J-Kidd, I enjoyed myself with Gary Payton," he said. "Here I was with Tim Duncan -- my archrival! -- and we joked it up a couple of times. I want a fun coach and I want some fun players."