USA Basketball: Boozer fine with smaller role
The Utah Jazz all-star power forward is one of three big men on the U.S. roster, joined by starter Dwight Howard and fellow reserve Chris Bosh.
But there are times when head coach Mike Krzyzewski has swingmen Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James as the tallest Americans out on the court.
No big deal, says Boozer.
"I'm playing for my country, and I'm honored to be out there," said Boozer, who didn't even get off the bench in Tuesday's exhibition victory over Australia. "If I'm out there for five minutes, I'm happy."
It's a far cry from the 2004 Athens Games, when Boozer was a young reserve watching the Americans go 5-3 overall and settle for the bronze medal.
"We're winning, we're very, very unselfish," he said. "The key for us is that we're seeming to play great defense."
No, Team USA's problem is not on offense.
"Everyone on the team is a 20-point-per-game scorer or more, so all we have to do as a team is work hard defensively," Boozer said. "If we play good, we have a chance to win every game. And that's exciting — 'cause all we can do is go up from here."
E-mail: taylor@desnews.com
Recent comments
All team fans are looking for a fall guy when they don't go all...
Ditto BP | Aug. 9, 2008 at 3:27 p.m.
I will continue to say that Boozer's bad defense has been INCREDIBLY...
BP | Aug. 8, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.
For all the booze bashing, you guys rather have Walley S or Chris...
tommyk | Aug. 8, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
