Jerry Colangelo is watching the NBA Finals closely.
The man who helped put Phoenix on the pro basketball map is now doing his thing on the international level as the Chairman of USA Basketball. With the 2012 summer Olympics in London right around the corner, Colangelo has his eye on completing his roster due to injuries to Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and others.
One player he’s tracking is former Arizona State star and NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner James Harden who was invited by Colangelo to try out for one of the backcourt spots.
“Let’s put it this way. James was added because he’s a legitimate candidate to be one of those guards,” Colangelo told Brad Cesmat Tuesday on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “He’s excited to be part of USA Basketball and I’m excited to have him there.”
One player who won’t be playing for Team USA is Canadian-born Steve Nash who has a pretty big decision of his own this summer when the Suns two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star will enter the free agent market next month.
Colangelo, who brought Nash back to Phoenix in 2004, says he is still playing at a high level, but isn’t sure where where the Suns fit in the big picture moving forward.
“I think Steve still has something to offer [a team], without question,” Colangelo explained to Cesmat. “He’s really taken care of [his body]. It’s going to be between Steve and the Suns to determine whether that fit makes sense for both parties.”
Colangelo also said this will not be his last Olympics as he’s already looking forward to the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Team USA will report for camp on July 4 in Las Vegas, then play a series of exhibition games at various sites from Washington D.C. to Barcelona, Spain before landing in London on the 26th.
