Perk Named to Team USA Olympic 2010-12 Program

Posted by Brian Robb on Feb 10, 2010 59319 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F02%2F10%2Fperk-named-to-team-usa-olympic-2010-12-program%2FPerk+Named+to+Team+USA+Olympic+2010-12+Program2010-02-10+17%3A54%3A44Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D5931

As if there needed to be any further confirmation of exactly how far Kendrick Perkins’ progress on the floor has come this year, an invite to Team USA would seem to silence any doubters. It has been announced that Perk was one the 27 players invited to the Team USA program. A great honor for sure given the esteemed company Kendrick is with on that list. Now, if only Perk could get some playing time in the 4th quarter of Celtics games……

Here is the full list of USA Invitees made by USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo from The Globe and Mail::

Returning to the USA National Team for 2010-12 along with Bosh are fellow 2008 Olympic gold medalists Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

Rounding out the list of Olympians on the national squad roster are 2004 Olympic bronze medalists Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) and Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).

Completing the list of the U.S. National Team players are LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Al Jefferson (Minnesota Timberwolves); David Lee (New York Knicks); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Kendrick Perkins (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

Quick thoughts on the roster, including a potential Celtic snub or two from the team, after the jump

Overall a very solid list put together there by Colangelo. Still no Paul Pierce on that list, but that has to be expected at this point, with all the Olympic ill well towards him, mostly undeserved since his first stint with Team USA at the beginning of the decade.

The name that has to surprise you though in not getting an invite to Team USA is Rajon Rondo. Grant it, there is a lot of tough point guard competition on the team, but Russell Westbrook over Rondo? Really? I know Rondo can’t hit jump shots consistently, which will hurt him in the international game, but his penetration and passing abilities would have worked wonders with that roster listed above. Perhaps it’s a moot point, given the other great point guards on the roster, but a snub nonetheless for 1st time All-Star.