CP3 or Deron Will Be Left Off Olympic Team

Our proud country’s Olympic team gets named Monday, and there’s no roster spot watched more closely than the PG. We’re in a pivotal year for that position: New jacks Chris Paul and Deron Williams are staging a meteoric takeover, shining in the playoffs and creating ridiculous buzz. On the other hand, veterans Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups were uneven and/or broken down in the postseason. But they’ve got seniority. What an awkward time to have to make this Olympics decision.↵
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↵Over the last few days, things have started to resolve themselves. A source says that Billups has withdrawn from the running. Now, FanHouse reports that Jason Kidd and Dwyane Wade, who is actually quite a competent combo guard, are going to get that call. So Paul and Williams, one of you isn’t making the trip.↵
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↵If you’ll allow me some editorializing, that’s just dumb. I know that Kidd is an elder statesmen, a superior floor general to Williams, and was once a better defender than either of the young’uns. But he can’t shoot to save his life now, is starting to get creaky, and is probably getting this in part because all things in life are a popularity contest. Or a lifetime achievement award. I’m assuming Colangelo goes with Paul, since it’s hard to leave a near-MVP standing by the side of the road crying. So Deron, get ready for even more fuel for that chip on your shoulder, which in the long run will make all your fans happier.↵