Sports Radio Interviews

Nate McMillan: Hopefully, I’ll Have A Couple Of My Players In 2012

Nate is excited about the possibility of having Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, or the long shots of Greg Oden, and Jerryd Bayless with him when he travels to London with USA Basketball in 2012.  All four of those players were invited to the USA mini-camp this summer but Aldridge and Roy pulled out because of contract issues.  I understand, this summer really doesn’t mean much because there is no significant international competition going on, but what irks me is something else Nate said.  He implied some of the bigger names on USA Basketball such as Kobe, Wade, ‘Bron, etcetera, won’t be playing in next year’s World Championship because it just isn’t as big a tourney as the Olympics in 2012.  What is this, a pick and choose type scenario?  I thought multi-year commitments were a requirement back when managing director Jerry Colangelo changed things a few years ago.  USA Basketball obviously knows how important next year’s competition is to other countries, but they don’t seem to be taking it as seriously.  Do we remember 2006?  Nate McMillan joined 95.5 The Game to discuss why he wanted to be back, what concerns he had before accepting, how these tournaments have benefited him, and the players’ commitment these next few years.

Why are you motivated to return as an assistant?

“For the coaching staff, we didn’t win that world championship, which is something that we really wanna go back and try and win next summer, and, have the opportunity to defend the gold medal and win it again.  You don’t get opportunities like this, when they come along, you really have to take advantage of it.”

Where there concerns you had to address before you committed?

“Part of my concern was the next couple years are very important for me and the organization, and after talking with Kevin, Tom Penn, and Larry about that, they felt like, ‘Look, that’s a great opportunity, it won’t be a problem as far as taking away from my time with the organization.’  And, coach K wanted the same staff back – we felt like, ‘Let’s go for it.’  Hopefully, I’ll have a couple of my players with us representing in 2012.”

How do these tournaments benefit you personally?

“You can never learn enough; you’re always learning about the game, working with some great coaches, managers, as far as people who are managing USA Basketball, and it’s an opportunity to continue to work.  As long as you’re working, you can better, it certainly has helped me over the last couple of years with my coaching, and we get another shot it.

Since there is that stability in the coaching staff, do you see players like Kobe committing more easily?

“I don’t think those guys, my guess would be they probably won’t play in the next summer or two, but they will be ready in 2012.  I think that’s the most important commitment that they’re looking for from the players.  Next summer, if we win the World Championship in Turkey, then we don’t have to play that following summer.”

Listen to Nate McMillan on 95.5 The Game in Portland (starts at 1:00)

Tags: Basketball, Brandon Roy, Nate McMillan, NBA, Portland Trail Blazers, USA Basketball