It probably should not come as a surprise that Rajon Rondo — who either got cut from or left the USA men’s basketball team that participated in the 2010 World Championships after receiving a DNP under weird circumstances — failed to make the preliminary roster for the team that will compete in the 2012 London Olympics.

But Rondo and all his Celtics teammates were reportedly left off the list. (Sheridan Hoops)

Here it is, alphabetically, from my impeccable international basketball sources:

LaMarcus Aldridge

Carmelo Anthony

Chauncey Billups

Chris Bosh

Kobe Bryant

Tyson Chandler

Kevin Durant

Eric Gordon

Blake Griffin

Dwight Howard

Andre Iguodala

LeBron James

Kevin Love

Lamar Odom

Chris Paul

Derrick Rose

Dwyane Wade

Russell Westbrook

Deron Williams

Again, this isn’t a surprise. Rondo has never made Team USA a priority, and whatever happened prior to the 2010 World Championships — whether he was cut or simply withdrew — pointed to a relationship with the USA basketball program that simply wasn’t working.

Considering the wealth of point guards Team USA has preserved (Chris Paul, Derrick Rose and Deron Williams, all trying out for the same team), Rondo probably would have been a long shot to make the team even if he had been issued an invitation to try out.

I’m just surprised Team USA didn’t invite Greg Stiemsma.

In case you didn’t see Team USA play Angola, I’ll summarize the game for you in one word: massacre. I’m almost positive I could have gathered myself and four guys I went to high school with and given Angola a run for its money. And I went to a high school that has never even won a basketball state championship, and all my high school teammates who used to be legit now have beer guts. Team USA won 121-66, and I’m not even exaggerating when I say it should have been worse.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to work out. I’ve got to get in shape if four of my friends and I are going to kick some Angolan ass. On second thought, no I don’t. We could probably beat the Angolans after a month of nothing but Jager bombs and Taco Bell.

By the way, I apologize to any Angolan readers who were offended that I honestly believe I could beat their national team in a basketball game. But they should probably be a lot more offended by their own team.

Former UCLA teammates Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook hooked up for this sick alley-oop in Team USA’s 92-57 victory over Tunisia. Naturally, it was the 6-10 Love with the alley, and the 6-3 Westbrook with the oop.

I’ve always wanted to know the answer to the age-old riddle: How many Croatians does it take to defend Russell Westbrook? Now, I know. More than one. Especially after the first one breaks his ankles.

Click the jump for bonus coverage of Nicolas Batum flying against Spain.
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It has been reported that Rajon Rondo withdrew from Team USA due to family matters and to take care of some things. But certain factors lead me to believe that Rondo was not acting entirely of his own accord when he decided to leave the team and return to the United States.

In addition to the evidence we pointed out yesterday, the Globe wrote that Rondo “[sensed] the writing on the wall as coach Mike Krzyzewski began to test different backcourt combinations minus Rondo.” And yes, Rondo’s uncle passed away a week or two ago… but Rondo flew to Spain and then Greece to be with the team after the passing. Additionally, Rondo’s brother — who presumably would know about any family matters that would cause Rondo to skip out on the competition — “wasn’t sure about the reason for Rondo’s withdrawal.”

Doc Rivers, according to the Boston Globe, believes that Team USA needs played a part in Rondo’s decision. But he also thinks that Rondo’s own desire to return to the Unites States was another factor.

Whatever the reason, I guess it doesn’t really matter. Rondo, whether forced or by his own decision, is no longer a part of Team USA. And Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers seem pretty pumped up about it. (Boston Globe)
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Look, I don’t trust that Rondo withdrew from Team USA for family problems. Earlier today, he said he was on the bubble for being cut. Then came this, also earlier, from Coach K: “It’s not so much what Rajon has to show, it’s what our team needs. We’ve found a good lineup, and the international game is so different from the NBA game, you can ask any of these guys. Part of it is to make sure that we try not to have two non-shooters out on the court, and there’s the physicality, too.”

And now, after those two quotes and Rondo’s DNP against Spain, I’m supposed to believe that Rajon Rondo “withdrew” from Team USA? Child please. He was cut, and I won’t believe otherwise unless Rondo says so himself. And now he’ll be as motivated as ever to do exactly what he did to Derrick Rose in the ’08 playoffs: torch him. All the other guards who made the team, too.

I’m a Duke fan, but now I hate Coach K. Eff him. Eff Team USA. Eff Derrick Rose, eff Stephen Curry, eff Eric Gordon, eff Chauncey Billups, eff Russell Westbrook. Eff y’all if you doubt Rondo. He was the best guard on Team USA, I’ll say it proudly. Eff the World Championships, I don’t want Team USA to win. I’m outty. Tell Coach K something he doesn’t know about me.

Or at least tell him something he doesn’t know about Rondo. Because Coach K is missing the boat on this one. I don’t care that Rondo didn’t look good against Lithuania. I don’t care that he can’t shoot. He’s the smartest basketball player Doc Rivers has ever coached and he’s a damn winner. Coach K screwed up. Big time. And I don’t think it makes me un-patriotic that I now want Team USA to finish out of the medal race.