When the excitement wore off from Team USA’s  thrilling 86-85 win against Spain , one question needed to be answered: why didn’t Rajon Rondo play? Both coach Mike Krzyzewski and team director Jerry Colangelo spoke on the subject, but no clear answer emerged from the discussions. Derrick Rose even suggested that Rondo was suffering from a sinus infection, but Colangelo refuted Rose’s claim.

Coack K, about Rondo and Granger not playing: (USABasketball.com)

Those are two veterans and young guys haven’t had a chance to start or whatever, so before we select our 12 we needed to give everyone a look.

We were trying to learn about our younger players so we started a different lineup.  Before we talk about the outside, Lamar Odom should be our starting center. He’s finally into shape I think to play at this level. Curry has been out so we wanted to give him a chance and we already know what Rondo and Granger can do.

It speaks volumes about this team’s youth that Coach K considers Rondo a “veteran”, but his explanation lacks validity. Neither Rondo nor Granger have competed in adult international competition before. If Coack K wanted to sit veterans to give the younger players a chance to prove themselves, why did both Chauncey Billups and Lamar Odom– the only two players with experience playing for Team USA– start?  Though Coach K said Rondo sat just to give the younger players a chance to show their skills, Colangelo gave a slightly different explanation. (ESPN.com)

“Coach told the team this morning that he was going to try some other players, change the lineup,” Colangelo told ESPN.com. “We’ve been off to some bad starts in our three games, and so he went with a different lineup, and he said some guys might not play today. And that’s how it played out. I don’t think anything is significant. I don’t know what we’ll do in the game against Greece, but we’re still trying to determine who we are and how we’re going to play, so that was just for today, what he chose to do.”

So Coach K said it was just to give other players a look, while Colangelo claimed it had to do with the bad starts Team USA has gotten off to. Hmm.

Ultimately, I’m not too concerned for Rondo’s future on Team USA. Coach K loves Rondo and Rondo’s game. He has openly praised Rondo on several occasions.  Rondo is still going to make the team, and he’s still going to play a significant role. Coach K probably sat Rondo for both the reasons he suggested, and the reasons Colangelo gave. Coach K not only wanted to see the younger players against good competition, he also wanted to send a message to Rondo and Granger that they need to play better, or there spots in the rotation will not be secure.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Rondo plays against Greece on Wednesday in the last exhibition game before the World Championships in Turkey, and how he responds to the benching. Rondo has played unspectacular basketball so far for Team USA and he’ll need to improve if he plans on holding onto that starting spot. Derrick Rose has played VERY well and is poised to usurp Rondo’s role as the starting point guard.

Let's hope Colangelo isn't blowing smoke.

Some people have speculated that Rajon Rondo won’t make Team USA. His game doesn’t translate well to the international game, they say. He’s not a good enough shooter. There are too many good guards at the tryouts.

But at least one of the men responsible for picking the team seems to like Rondo’s chances. (NBA Fanhouse)

OK, Rajon. Do you think you’re a lock?

“Nothing is guaranteed in life,” said Rondo, who averaged 13.7 points and 9.8 assists last season. “I’m pretty confident in my game. If they like it, they like it. If they don’t, so be it.”

There’s one person whose opinion counts the most about whether Rondo makes the team. And while Colangelo isn’t calling Rondo a lock for the final 12-man roster, he let it be known his chances are “very good, very good.”

Gotta love it. And for those of you who wished Rondo wouldn’t make the team so he could get some rest, well, he’s already gotten plenty. Before the first day of Team USA mini-camp, Rondo said, “I hadn’t picked up a ball since we lost Game 7.” But Rondo DID admit he was worn down at the end of the season. I guess that’s what happens when you play 105 games.

Eyes on the prize.

Rajon Rondo has put together quite an impressive resume during his first few years in the NBA. He’s already an All-Star, a First-Team defender, and an NBA champion.

Next up for Rajon? Playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Championships, most likely.

Colangelo said that over the past 10 days every member of the U.S. Olympic team has declined an invitation to play this summer in Turkey, including Kobe Bryant(notes), who played through a number of injuries during the Los Angeles Lakers’ run to the 2010 NBA championship, and LeBron James(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes), who just signed with the Miami Heat. The last declined invitation came Saturday night when Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams(notes) called Colangelo.

USA Basketball is expected to add Rajon Rondo(notes) and center Robin Lopez(notes) to the World Championships roster. The team also has commitments from Kevin Durant(notes), Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) and Derrick Rose(notes).

Congratulations to Rondo, if he does end up with a spot on the team. He has earned the right to play for his country.

But so much for roster continuity, huh? USA just doesn’t give a rat’s ass about the World Championships, I feel like. The Olympics get our blood boiling, but for the most part nobody on American soil cares nearly as much about the World Championships.

And remember when Colangelo was trying to be a hard-ass by saying players who don’t play in the World Championships won’t be able to play in the 2010 Olympics? Well, uh, how about a complete 180?

Colangelo had previously said anyone declining an invitation without a legitimate reason would be at risk to be excluded from the 2012 Olympics in London. He said Sunday none of these players will be penalized.

“There are no issues here with anyone,” Colangelo said. “Everyone has to take care of their business, families and to get healthy. All our [Olympic] guys were touched by all of that.”

I guess Colangelo doesn’t want to arrive in London with the JV squad.