National Basketball Association

LeBron fires back in USA Basketball rift

Published Apr. 5, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

LeBron James responded Sunday to USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo's warnings about skipping the world championships, saying he has already proven his commitment to the team.

Colangelo said Wednesday any player who sat out this summer without a good reason was jeopardizing his chances of playing in the 2012 Olympics in London, telling The Associated Press there are "no free passes, regardless who it is." Dwyane Wade also has hedged about taking part.

Asked about the comments Sunday, James said: "I think everyone in the USA knows what type of commitment these guys have made, including myself, since 2003," James told reporters before the Cavaliers' 117-113 loss in Boston.

"I'm not trying to bash Jerry or anything like that, because he's a good guy and I respect him. I don't respect that because of the commitment we've all given to the USA. Right off the bat, we didn't second guess it at all. If we're jeopardizing being in London, what can we do?"

Colangelo asked for a three-year commitment when he formed the national team program in 2005, and James played all three summers from 2006-08. Colangelo has asked the returning players for two years this time, hoping they'll win the worlds and automatically qualify for London, earning next summer off.

But James, who also played in the 2004 Olympics, said Wednesday he was "probably not playing" for the Americans this summer in Turkey because of his busy summer schedule. He can become a free agent in July and is also scheduled to film a movie.

"I'm not trying to bash Jerry or anything like that, because he's a good guy and I respect him. I don't respect that because of the commitment we've all given to the USA. Right off the bat, we didn't second guess it at all. If we're jeopardizing being in London, what can we do?"

Colangelo asked for a three-year commitment when he formed the national team program in 2005, and James played all three summers from 2006-08. Colangelo has asked the returning players for two years this time, hoping they'll win the worlds and automatically qualify for London, earning next summer off.

But James, who also played in the 2004 Olympics, said Wednesday he was "probably not playing" for the Americans this summer in Turkey because of his busy summer schedule. He can become a free agent in July and also is scheduled to film a movie.