Stoudemire Extended Olympic Invitation

Phoenix Sun forward Amare Stoudemire will be invited to play for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, becoming the latest addition to a constantly changing and younger roster, two USA Basketball sources said.

The sources told Associated Press that Stoudemire, the NBA rookie of the year in 2002-03, will be asked to play in Athens. The decision to invite Stoudemire, 21, was first reported by ESPN.com.

He joins LeBron James, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion as the newest additions to an American team that will be without many of the top players originally selected or invited.

New Jersey Net forward Kenyon Martin said Wednesday that he would not accept an invitation, citing a lingering knee injury and his unsettled contract status as an upcoming restricted free agent.

The unofficial U.S. roster now includes Tim Duncan, Jermaine O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Mike Bibby, Marbury, Marion, James, Stoudemire and Richard Jefferson.

Among those who have withdrawn from consideration, or are expected to withdraw, are Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Kevin Garnett.

USA Basketball is awaiting definitive word from Shaquille O’Neal on whether he will play.

McGrady and Bibby have indicated they’re having second thoughts as well. Among the players being considered to replace them are Sam Cassell, Ron Artest, Carmelo Anthony and Lamar Odom.

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Commissioner David Stern promised an end to the much-criticized long waits between playoff games next postseason.

“I can assure you it’s going to be tighter next year,” he said.

Stern said he has reviewed a work-up of the 2005 playoff schedule. It includes 14 days for a full series, down from as many as 17 this year, and less waiting time between rounds.

Another scheduling issue that personally affects Stern is the late hour that Western games finish for fans in the Eastern time zone.

Stern said he was OK with it because moving up the 7:30 p.m. local start time “wouldn’t be fair to their fans.” He also noted that the ratings haven’t suffered.

“All you can do is focus on who is watching when,” he said. “The best judge is the ratings.”

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Tim Floyd was surprised when the New Orleans Hornets fired him last week as their coach and he believes unrealistic expectations led to it.

“I was shocked,” Floyd told Associated Press. “I didn’t feel any support from management, but I didn’t see it coming.”

Floyd, hired last summer to replace Paul Silas, said he knew owner George Shinn expected the Hornets to advance deep into the playoffs, an ambition Floyd thinks was too optimistic.

The Hornets finished 41-41 and lost an opening-round playoff series to the Miami Heat.

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Detroit Piston guard Chauncey Billups (back) and forward Rasheed Wallace (foot) did not practice but are expected to play in tonight’s Game 5 against the New Jersey Nets.