Amar’e Stoudemire Wishes He Was on the Olympic Team


Amar’e Stoudemire was left off the 20-man Team USA roster for the 2012 Olympics, and the Knicks’ big man is not exactly thrilled about it. From the NY Post: “Amar’e Stoudemire, whom the Knicks refused to allow play in the World Championships 1 1/2 years ago, sounded miffed at the announcement yesterday he is not on the final 20-man U.S. Olympic Team roster, and said he would like to play. Both Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler are on the roster, but it is expected only Anthony will make the final 12-man unit heading to London for the Summer Games. The Knicks pulled Stoudemire off the World Championship team in the summer of 2010 only weeks after he signed an uninsured $100 million contract. It ticked off USA Basketball CEO Jerry Colangelo, who likely didn’t want to have to deal with the Garden politics again. Stoudemire said the Knicks haven’t said anything about him not being able to play for the Olympics and a team official said it doesn’t believe they have preference. ‘It’s definitely not my choice,’ Stoudemire said. ‘I would love to play. My loyalty is with USA Basketball … If they need me, I’m there.'”