With that whiff of Tim Donaghy’s gambling scandal tainting the very thought of NBA basketball, it feels flat-out luxurious that this summer we can see the same stars who dominate that big pro league in a setting that feels downright wholesome.

The FIBA Americas tourney opens on Aug. 22. And where ordinarily the general b-ball audience would give less than a damn, it now needs to see the best hoops players on the planet be unequivocally spectacular, lest it admit, finally, that its sport is no sophisticated and erudite exception to the crudeness that's dominated the major sports palette.

Opening against Venezuela after a week of practices in Las Vegas, the Americans must finish in the top two of the 10-team Americas competition to qualify for a spot in the 2008 Olympics. Five FIBA zoned tournaments are being held around the world this month.

Led by Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, Team USA has a balance that was missing in 2004. Not only are pure scorers such as Carmello Anthony in the mix, but also specialists such as defensive star Tayshaun Prince are expected to make the squad. Whereas in Athens, Allen Iverson failed to distribute the ball sufficiently, the Americans will this year have Jason Kidd leading point-guard play. And with Chauncey Billups and the supremely unselfish Deron Williams expected to make the team as reserves, well-balanced offensive play ought to be second nature.

Paul Pierce, Dwyane Wade, and Elton Brand had been expected to play but had to withdraw due to injuries.

Final roster cuts must be made on August 21. By then, four players must be trimmed from a camp that includes Bryant, James, Anthony, Prince, Kidd, Billups, Williams, Mike Miller, Amare Soudemire, Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Michael Redd, Nick Collison,  and J.J. Redick. This week, Kirk Hinrich, Greg Oden, and Shane Battier left the competition.

This week in Vegas the team will scrimmage daily against a team of young NBA players. Among those expected to play on that practice squad are Channing Frye, Jeff Green, Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Jason Kapono, David Lee, and Aaron Brooks.

dEAAmericas Tourney Gives Diversion from Hoops Officiating Scandal

With that whiff of Tim Donaghy’s gambling scandal tainting the very thought of NBA basketball, it feels flat-out luxurious that this summer we can see the very same stars who dominate that big pro league in a setting that feels downright wholesome.

The FIBA Americas tourney opens on Aug. 22. And where ordinarily the general b-ball audience would give less than a damn, it now needs to see the best hoops players on the planet be unequivocally spectacular, lest it admit, finally, that its sport is no sophisticated and erudite exception to the crudeness that's dominated the major sports palette.

Opening against Venezuela after a week of practices in Las Vegas, the Americans must finish in the top two of the 10-team Americas competition to qualify for a spot in the 2008 Olympics. Five FIBA zoned tournaments are being held around the world this month.

Led by Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, Team USA has a balance that was missing in 2004. Not only are pure scorers such as Carmello Anthony in the mix, but also specialists such as defensive star Tayshaun Prince are expected to make the squad. Where in Athens Allen Iverson failed to distribute the ball sufficiently, the Americans will this year have Jason Kidd leading point-guard play. And with Chauncey Billups and the supremely unselfish Deron Williams expected to make the team as reserves, well-balanced offensive play ought to be second nature.

Paul Pierce, Dwayne Wade and Elton Brand had been expected to play, but had to withdraw due to injury.

Final roster cuts must be made on August 21. By then, four players must be trimmed from a camp that includes Bryant, James, Anthony, Prince, Kidd, Billups, Williams, Mike Miller, Amare Soudemire, Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Michael Redd, Nick Collison,  and J.J. Redick. This week, Kirk Hinrich, Greg Oden and Shane Battier left the competition.

This week in Vegas the team will scrimmage daily against a team of young NBA players. Among those expected to play on that practice squad are Channing Frye, Jeff Green, Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Jason Kapono, David Lee and Aaron Brooks.

dEA