Minnesota All-Star Kevin Garnett is still undecided as to whether he'll join the NBA's other superstars as part of the greatest USA team since the 1992 Olympics.
Team USA Head Coach Larry Brown continues to guage the superstar's interest in joining the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan and a host of the NBA's other elite players as America tries to rebound from their shocking home World Championships campaign with a demolition at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
"We'd love to have him," said Brown when asked about Garnett. "That's got to be his decision. That's a big-time commitment. But no USA team should be without a kid like him. He's everything this league is supposed to stand for."
The Olympics will be a two-summer commitment for players, with the qualifying tournament to be held this summer in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The team which represented America in the 2002 World Championships not only became the first team to lose a game since the inclusion of NBA talent, but they also did not qualify for a medal. The losses have sparked a new level of patriotism amongst American players who are aiming to once again stamp their dominance on the International games.
Coach Brown was hoping to meet with Garnett after his Sixers lost 99-91 to Garnett and the Timberwolves but the opportunity never arose and Garnett himself said he needed more time to evaluate the situation.
"As of late, I've just been focusing on the Timberwolves season and trying to make this team better," he said. "To be honest with you, I haven't given it much thought."
Garnett already has a gold medal under his belt after being a member of the squad who won in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Brown coached that U.S. team at the qualifying tournament and calls Garnett one of his favorite players. Wolves coach Flip Saunders said that relationship could hold sway towards Garnett accepting the invitation.
"I think if he does play, the main reason will be because of Larry Brown," Saunders said. "He has the utmost respect for Larry. I think that will definitely be a strong factor. But I think a lot is going to come down to how he feels."