Deron Williams was already unfit at Olympics, claims Jerry Colangelo

There is a lot of speculation about Deron Williams' weight gain and subsequent inferior play — since he reportedly aggravated an ankle injury during the the 2012 Olympics — but USA Basketball president Jerry Colangelo claims the Brooklyn Nets point guard was already out of shape before he played in the London Games.

The Nets maintain that their $100 million star's sub-par season is from being worn down from continuous play over the past two years — and led to PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections in both ankles this week — but Colangelo said Williams is just out of shape.

"Deron Williams, for the Olympics was not in the best of shape," Colangelo told The New York Daily News on Friday. "He was a little overweight, and I told him that at the time."

Through 50 games this season, Williams has struggled with injuries to his shoulder, wrist, thigh and ankles.  He will miss his first All-Star Game in three years after failing to put up the numbers he has in recent years.

While a lot of people blamed the additional weight for Williams apparent lack of quickness this season, Nets general manager Billy King said the point guard was only one pound heavier than what he weighed when he was acquired in a trade with Utah in 2011.  King blames Williams' physical breakdowns on the non-stop schedule over the course of 2012 and not his player's conditioning.

Colangelo disagreed by citing other Olympic competitors — like LeBron James and Kevin Durant — who are enjoying injury-free, MVP-caliber seasons.

"If you look at the track record of all the players who participated with us, how they came into their next seasons and had outstanding years,” Colangelo said. “So there are injuries that have taken place that have nothing to do with participating with us. If anything, they’re in better shape and they’re better prepared going into training camp with their teams."

It's still not clear when Williams aggravated his ankle injury at the Olympics, after averaging nine points and 4.6 assists while shooting 39%.

"He's a heck of a player, great guy, made a real contribution to USA Basketball," said Colangelo about Williams. "And if he decides that he can't participate because of his own health conditions, I've got a list a mile long of people who want to play.

"We take care of our players," he added.  "Nobody is going to get hurt because they play for USA basketball. Just the opposite."

Carmelo Anthony takes 'cheap shot' to the groin

A meaningless final group game between the U.S. and Argentina Olympic basketball teams turned into a blame game with each of the rivals accusing the other of taking cheap shots at each other with the most visible low-blow being directed at Carmelo Anthony's crotch.

During the final seconds of the third-quarter — and the U.S. holding a comfortable 102-76 lead over their rivals— little Facundo Campazzo hit Anthony between the legs as the All-Pro forward drained a three-point shot.

Campazzo— who is the backup to the Knicks newly signed free agent Pablo Prigioni— claims that he did not intentionally hit Anthony.

After the game, Campazzo accused U.S. point guard Chris Paul of punching him in the first half.

The referees didn't see Campazzo's shot to Anthony's cojones, but the U.S. bench sure did and— along with coach Mike Krzyzweski former-Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni— yelled in protest.

While Anthony was crumpled on the floor in obvious pain, a few U.S. players went after Campazzo and had to be pulled away.



"He got hit in the groin," said coach K.  ""That's why he buckled over.  He wasn't celebrating the shot."

"We saw it all," said Anthony's Knick teammate, Tyson Chandler.  "It was a cheap shot.  He hit him in an area  where you don't want to get hit.  We all represent our countries.  This is the Olympics.  You never want to go like that."

Paul denied punching the diminutive Campazzo and later Kobe Bryant took matters into his own hands and scolded the Argentine player in Spanish by telling him "it was wrong."

Campazzo apologized to Bryant for the confusion but not to Anthony.

The U.S. went on to rout Argentina, 126-97, and finished 5-0 in group play.  They will meet Australia in the quarterfinals and are on course for a showdown with the winner of the Brazil-Argentina game.

Tyson Chandler on London Olympics: I'd represent

The loss of big men Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge for the London Olympics after surgeries have created a huge hole in the middle of the USA basketball team but not if Tyson Chandler can help it.

The New York Knicks center is ready to put his own red, white and blue Superman get-up and fly to the rescue after the Knicks playoff run is through.

After the injuries to the two centers and Andrew Bynum saying he wasn't interested in joining the squad, Chandler may now even get to start for the U.S. Olympic team.

Chandler, who was not selected for the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team but was a member of  Team USA in the 2010 World Championships says he wants in. He was already named one of the 20 finalists for 2012 in London in January.

"I'm definitely ready to represent my country," Chandler told The New York Post.  "I'm very excited.  Just  to be able to be considered for the USA team is a blessing and something I'm very proud of.  I committed myself when I joined in 2007.  I still feel that way."

Although Chandler didn't play at this year's 2012 All-Star game, he's had a remarkable season and is a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.  His 'D' on the court is outstanding.  In the three games he's missed, the Knicks allowed an average of 116.3 points— far above their average in the Mike Woodson Era.