Team USA Basketball: Blake Griffin Out As John Wall Checks In! Why Won't The Stars Commit To Play For The Stars And Stripes?

Team USA Basketball is already missing out on some of the NBA's biggest names. LeBron James has all but de-committed from competition as well as most free agents who are mired in negotiations this summer.

That's why the selection confined themselves to players who did not fall into that category. Sadly, even those did not give the full commitment. Kawhi Leonard, who is neither injured nor a free agent has already begged off. And now the latest big name is Blake Griffin.

Griffin has been making himself scarce lately. He also backed out of a commitment to play in a charity event in the Philippines a day before the event itself. Kawhi Leonard was present there, though.

The LA Times quoted from Griffin's very brief statement: "I want to focus and dedicate 100% of my energy on improving and preparing from(sic) the upcoming season w/the Clippers."

Good news for the team is that Griffin's rival for 2010-11 rookie of the Year honors John Wall has been named part of the 19 man pool which will form the 12 man final roster for the FIBA World Championships.

From ESPN:

"Washington Wizards guard John Wall has accepted USA Basketball's invitation to attend its training camp next week in Las Vegas, according to sources close to the situation.

Sources told ESPN.com that USAB has wanted Wall in camp for weeks and merely wanted to make sure that the Wizards' All-Star was able to play at full capacity after a longer-than-expected season before making it official."

The statement also answers a corollary question on why it took so long for them to invite John Wall, which seems like a no-brainer.

How come Team USA has difficulty assembling their team? Of course, injury is a valid reason but observers note that free agency should not be a deterrent to committing to your team. Players have agents and managers to negotiate anyway. One example is Pau Gasol. He was one of the top free agents this summer yet he has been practicing with Team Spain already.

Next to blame would be the team, and that possibility looms for Griffin. Some would point out the shoe brands but on the contrary, Nike, Adidas and on Griffin's case, Jordan brand would definitely encourage their endorsers to play on international events.

Another factor is that American players undervalue the FIBA World Championship, which is the World Cup of Basketball, in favor of the Olympics. That's why the stars play on the Olympics as opposed to the FIBA event-which is actually illogical. Just ask any soccer fan, which is more important for their country to win: the World Cup or the Olympic Gold medal?