 |
Rashard Lewis would love to join the US national team. (David J. Phillip/Associated Press) |
NBA Finals Notebook
Lewis not too old for summer camp
ORLANDO, Fla. - Magic forward Rashard Lewis doesn't care that the event will make his short offseason even shorter or that he might be the oldest guy there. If USA Basketball is interested, he will be in Las Vegas this summer trying to prove he's worthy of being on the national team.
The national team minicamp is July 22-25, and several young NBA stars are slated to be among the participants. Lewis, who will turn 30 Aug. 8, would like to attend, though he has not received an invitation.
"I haven't got the call, but if I did, I'd most definitely love to represent my country," he said. "But I think that's another steppingstone, another goal of mine to not only win an NBA ring, but a gold medal. [Teammate] Dwight [Howard] got one. It's nothing but motivation."
In the moment
With a victory in Game 5 tonight, the Lakers would win their 15th NBA championship. It would be the fourth for Kobe Bryant. Asked if he had dreams of surpassing Michael Jordan's six titles with Chicago, Bryant said, "I'm just really happy to be in this moment right now and just trying to get this fourth one." . . . The Magic are confident they will win and keep their championship hopes alive. Asked if he would guarantee a victory, Howard said, "You want me to get up here and say the season is going to be over tomorrow? That's not what anybody should do or anybody should think. I believe that we're going to be going back to LA, and you should, too." Said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, "You've got to first start with the belief that you can win the championship, and then from there, just like we've had all year, I tell them it's no different than the approach we've had all year. Our goal from the beginning has been to win the championship, but then you approach your job one day, one game, one possession at a time." . . . Bill Russell will be at the game tonight and, if needed, at Games 6 and 7, to hand out the Finals MVP trophy that is now named after him . . . Lakers coach Phil Jackson was fined $25,000 for criticizing officials during comments made between the first and second quarters of Game 4 . . . Bryant, who has an opt-out clause in his contract this summer, said he expects to be a Laker next season.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
