NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler of the Knicks were named among the 20 finalists for the U.S. Olympic roster, but Amar’e Stoudemire was predictably left off.
“It’s definitely not my choice, I would love to play,” Stoudemire said following the Knicks 102-93 loss to the Orlando Magic at MSG. “My loyalty is with USA Basketball, as it always has been.”
In July 2010, then-Knicks GM Donnie Walsh called USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to say that the team wanted to pull Stoudemire out of consideration for the World Championships because his contract was uninsured related to his multiple knee surgeries.
That story was first broken by Chris Sheridan, then working for ESPN.com and now with SheridanHoops.com.
“I couldn’t play because I had pulled out,” Stoudemire said. “But if they want me to play, I’m totally open to playing for the USA.”
Stoudemire added that he wasn’t consulted on the current roster.
“I had no idea the roster was even coming out,” added Stoudemire, who has four years and more than $83 million remaining on his contract.
Magic center Dwight Howard is also on the U.S. roster, and said he was committed to the team despite uncertainty over his future.
“A couple days ago, I told them that I was committed to being on the team and I’m looking forward to winning another gold medal for the U.S., so nothing else matters,” Howard said.
Howard has said he would like to be traded to the Lakers, Nets Mavericks or Clippers (as reported here by Sheridan), and said he has consulted with Anthony about the process.
Having lived through nearly a season of Melo Drama before coming to the Knicks from the Denver Nuggets, Anthony can relate.
“It actually was great to hear from him,” Howard said of Anthony. “And all he said to me was, ‘Do what’s best for you. Whatever you decide, people are going to dislike you but you know you have to live for you.’
“And it’s good advice. I just told him, ‘I want to do whatever I can to to win.'”
Asked if he had decided finally on whether he wants to be traded, Howard said, “Right now I’m with the Magic and that’s all that matters.”
