Kings Blog and Q&A

COLANGELO

On whether he has seen the ripple effect he hoped for...

"I think (the Team USA players) are better people and better players because of the experience that they had. They did bring that different culture back to their teams and made their teams better. The immediate impact is looking at the players and how they performed and what an impact they've had on their immediate surroundings. It's been huge.

"Secondly, the fact that we won brought an awful lot of attention to what they accomplished. It also brought it back at a time when we certainly needed some pride in representing your country and the American flag etc. All of that is pretty important in this very volatile world that we live in. I think the personal conduct of the players was extraordinary and I think in every case - I'm not surprised - but that's the way they've conducted themselves since they got back. It just kind of elevated everything in a very positive way. And so, the beneficiary, without question, was the NBA."

On the importance of the upcoming FIBA World Championships this summer...

"We're happy about (winning the gold), but to some degree the important thing now is to carry on, to go forward, to continue doing what needs to be done to maintain, to defend, to continue to do it with class and dignity and continue to show that humility and respect for the rest of the basketball world. That's why I emphasize the importance of the world championships this summer in Turkey as being a big thing.

"In fact, when I met with the players at last year's All-Star game, I said, 'Look here's the plan. Here's what I want to get done, (but) you tell me how you feel,' and they all said they wanted to continue - the 12 who were there. I said, 'Because the way I see it, we've only done half our job.' We won the gold medal, (but) the rest of the world puts great emphasis on the World Championships - in many countries moreso than the Olympics. We need to go to the world championships and finish the other part of our job, in other words to give them something else to look forward to before the next Olympics. That's the concept. That's what we're trying to accomplish. And we're hopefully going to build on that this summer before we embark on Istanbul, Turkey.

On the fact that Americans generally pay attention during the Olympics every four years while ignoring events like the FIBA World Championships...

"We, the basketball community, needs to do a better job of bringing that to the attention to the media. In name alone, the World Championships, in name alone, maybe with a different title - maybe something like 'The World Cup' might almost immediately bring more focus and attention. That's being discussed. But I think the more we talk about it, the more we emphasize it, the better that will be. If we show we care enough about it, I think everyone else will pick up on that.

On the schedule leading up to this summer and the difficulty of so many prominent players (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh) dealing with free agency at the same time...

"We're going to announce just before the All-Star game, a roster of 25 to 26 players for our national team roster. Nothing else takes place until the end of our NBA season and college season. And as we prepare a roster for our mini-camp the third week in July, we'll know where some of the free agents stand. If all of them are still free agents, they still need to be at camp - maybe not participating - but be in camp. By the time we reconvene after that four-day workout session, it won't be until August 10. It would seem to me that six weeks after free agency goes into effect, most of these guys will have their business taken care of. So that's the discussion I've had with each of them - I'm referring to LeBron and Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade etc.

On the recent report that cites "Team USA Insiders" saying there is some concern about how many of the team's core from 2008 will keep their verbal agreements...

"Quite honestly, I saw that (story) and I don't know if it was a misprint or whatever. I understand how Dwyane is feeling but I haven't heard that from any of the other guys. I don't have any anxiety at all. We're going to have 25 players to choose from. We're going to field an excellent team. We have a lot of young talent ready and chomping at the bit for an opportunity, so right now the depth chart is pretty strong.

On Durant, the phenomenal season he's having and his ridiculous upside...

"It's funny. The more experience you get the better you get if you have the talent and passion and heart for it, but Durant kind of has separated himself. If you look at his numbers and what he brings to the table. You know, he came close to making it last time as a kid, so without overkilling this thing, I would just say that I'm almost certain Durant will be part of our next squad regardless of who else is on it.

"The first time I met him, he had the right look in his eye. He wanted it. He wanted to be a player. His work ethic is terrific. He loves the game. He has passion for the game. That's a great start. And then when you look at a 6-11 kid with that length who can run up and down the court the way he can, handle the ball, put it on the floor, make the play, and he can flat out score, that's kind of the whole package. And all he's doing is getting better and better, and more consistent.

On the irony of his season given the plus-minus debate that raged at the outset...

"Stats can be very deceiving, and you can almost make numbers mean whatever you wish them to mean. The better the player you play with, the better you are too. The Thunder is a much better team. Think about it, they passed their win total from last year, what, a week ago, two weeks ago? They've got some really good young players. I like (Russell) Westbrook a lot, I think Jeff Green is a really a good player who knows how to play. It's on and on. They've got some good young guys." - Sam Amick