GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler won’t win an NBA championship in 2012, but they can still dream of capturing gold at the London Olympics.
Both players are finalists for the U.S. Olympic roster, which begins training July 6 in Las Vegas and will also train in Washington, D.C., Manchester, England and Barcelona.
“I’m obviously getting ready for the Olympics,” Anthony said Thursday following the Knicks loss to the Miami Heat. “I’ll just probably take some time off, let my body heal and start in June and get back at it and prepare for the Olympics.”
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler figures to be a near-lock to make the team due to injuries to centers LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) and Dwight Howard (back).
“If we have a player, whoever it might be, and some really aggravated situation, and he feels he might be unable to go, then he’s not going. That’s the way it has to be,” USA basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said recently. “Their health comes first. We need people who are healthy and want to be there. That’s a pretty simple criteria.”
Ironically, Anthony and Chandler will be reunited with former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni during Olympic training because D’Antoni is an assistant to Duke and Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The New York Post reported Saturday that D’Antoni may skip coaching in the NBA next season “for personal reasons.” His son, Michael Jr., will be a senior in high school next season in Westchester.
Anthony and Chandler could also face teammate Jeremy Lin during Olympic training if Lin is selected to play for the Select Team.
Former Kentucky stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins and former Duke standout Kyrie Irving of St. Patrick are also expected to play for the Select Team.
“If they ask me, I’d definitely love to do it,” Lin said.
