EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, 11 June 2003 — Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Tony Parker and Emanuel Ginobili will follow their starring roles in the National Basketball Association Finals by beginning quests for 2004 Olympic gold.
All four will be involved in Athens Olympic qualifying events, including Spurs guard Parker for 2000 Olympic runner-up France and teammate Ginobili for Argentina, the surprise runner-up to Yugoslavia at the 2002 World Championship.
“There are a lot of expectations about us after the great Worlds,” Ginobili said. “It’s like an obligation for us to qualify. We’re favorites. We have got to do it. If we don’t we’re going to be very, very disappointed.”
San Antonio forward Duncan and New Jersey guard Kidd, opponents in the best-of-seven NBA title fight, combine forces to lead the United States into the Tournament of the Americas qualifying event at Puerto Rico in August.
“I’m very excited to be a member of the US team,” Kidd said. “There can be no greater honor than to represent your country.
“But I’m not worried about Puerto Rico right now. I’m trying to win a championship.”
Duncan, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, will be the dominant big man for the US squad with Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal sitting out. Global rivals are watching to learn from how the Nets defend Duncan.
“It’s an honor to represent the United States,” Duncan said. “I’m excited. I’m looking forward to playing with a great collection of players and qualifying for the 2004 Olympics.”
Even with Lakers star Kobe Bryant injured, the US lineup is formidable, also including Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Karl Malone. US “Dream Teams” of NBA stars won the past three Olympic crowns, but were tested in 2000 at Sydney.
Only a top-three finish is needed to advance to Athens. But after a shocking sixth-place showing by a US world team of lesser lights, nothing is certain. A loss at the wrong moment can end golden dreams well short of Greece.
“It’s not going to be easy with the team the US is sending, Puerto Rico playing at home, and Brazil,” Ginobili said.
Ginobili was the Italian league MVP for two years before reaching the NBA this year, overcoming fear and adapting his game to fit into the Spurs’ system as a reserve rather than the main weapon as he had been in Italy and Argentina.
