Google "Paul Pierce Team USA 2002"
https://www.theringer.com/2016/8/5/16044966/team-usa-basketball-2002-world-championship-f63fa0a6e06f
https://www.celticsblog.com/2009/9/15/1031601/revisiting-the-2002-world
Basically, the team was full of immature knuckleheads who embarrassed the program on the world stage. They finished sixth in the World Championships. Pierce clashed with George Karl. He never got invited back.
Fun fact: Pierce, Jermaine O'Neal, Michael Finley and Raef Lafrentz from that team all eventually played for the Celtics
TP, thanks for the explanation.
I understand that Pierce was very headstrong back then, but point to one elite score first player that wasn't at the same age. Looking at that 2002 team, I can't even understand how they expected to win with no veteran leaders and average talent.
What I find interesting is that Shawn Marion was included in the 2004 Olympic team, so the whole team obviously wasn't blacklisted.
George Karl is a known a** hole, so it wouldn't surprise me if he clashed with Pierce and that affected his future selection, or perhaps simply Pierce being headstrong unofficially retired from the national team after the World Championships.
Given how poorly the 2004 Olympic team played, it makes me wonder if Pierce was included instead of Marbury, Richard Jefferson or Carmelo Anthony, would they have won the gold medal?