New culture for USA basketball

CHICAGO - By the end of June, the remedy to Jerry Colangelo's embarrassment will be constituted.

The Phoenix Suns chairman was mortified by the showing from the U.S. men's basketball team at the 2004 Olympics in Greece: the professionals' arrogance, lack of cohesion and poor play that earned it a bronze medal, the first non-gold performance of the Dream Team era.

He then was asked to come aboard as the managing director.

"Back in '04, watching its performance in Athens left a great deal to be desired," Colangelo said. "I did have a prerequisite: full autonomy. I felt like we needed to change the culture . . . I would select the coaches [including head coach Mike Krzyzewski], and I would select the players, and it wouldn't come from a committee."

That selection process will be finished June 30. The roster of 12 players and three alternates will include players who have met one-on-one with Colangelo and have committed to attending.

It might not include the most talented Americans, but it will include the best team - one that can adapt to international style.

No one need apply who doesn't "check his ego at the door," Colangelo said. "We're well aware of the attitudes. "That's not going to happen. If it does, they're gone." *

- Marcus Hayes