By Kevin Asseo BBC Sport in California

If you think the selection process for the US Olympic Basketball team is similar to that of the English squad for Euro 2004, think again.

Brown's selection woes have worsened

The process begins with two of the most respected coaches in their respective sports, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Larry Brown, and the similarity ends there.

In England, Eriksson tells the players whether they are included on the team; in America, the roles are reversed.

The players are not waiting by the phone to find out if they made the team, Brown and the USA Basketball selection committee are.

With less than three months remaining until the Athens Games, Brown is still awaiting word from Karl Malone, Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady and Mike Bibby.

All are reconsidering their earlier decision to play for their country, while others have already dropped out.

Brown should make up the players' minds for them and tell the NBA stars to have fun on the golf course this summer.

Brown, the USA Basketball committee, and the American public do not need the aggravation anymore.

There are countless American hoop stars yet to join the NBA ranks who could make a major contribution to the Olympic team, and without the headaches caused by the NBA players.

Besides, the novelty wore off the "Dream Team" concept shortly after Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan returned from Barcelona.

A more realistic option would be to have a team of young stars with elder statesmen such as Michael Jordan or Karl Malone lending a hand Kevin Asseo

Watching today's NBA stars half-heartedly go through the paces while beating Angola by 60 points just does not seem to be as fun as it was 12 years ago.

It is not going to happen, but I would love to see the US national team once again comprised of college players or at the very least first-time Olympians, so the LeBrons and Carmelos of the world have a shot at gold.

I say this because pride - the dominant emotion evoked by the victories of our national squads before 1992 - has been replaced by relief or, worse yet, humiliation.

That was the feeling in America when the 2002 national team, made up entirely of NBA players, lost three of its final four games and finished sixth at the 2002 World Championships.

Perhaps a more realistic option would be to have a team of 10 young stars with elder statesmen of the game such as Michael Jordan or Karl Malone lending a hand.

Americans deserve a team that wants to be there to represent its country with heart and effort, a team of our brightest young stars that is just that - a team, not 12 pampered individuals on summer holiday.

The Lakers saw off the reigning champions San Antonio

You can call off the NBA play-offs, the winner is a foregone conclusion.

The Los Angeles Lakers disposed of their only true competition in this post-season when they defeated San Antonio in the Western Conference semi-finals.

What at one time looked like a one-sided series, in San Antonio's favour, turned into a Lakers' lock when Derek Fisher hit a miracle shot at the buzzer to win game five.

Of the teams remaining, any that have the size to compete with the Lakers' frontcourt are lacking the guards who can handle Kobe Bryant and Gary Payton, and any that have outstanding guards do not have a centre to deal with Shaquille O'Neal.

Get the picture? The NBA office can send the trophy and champagne to LA right now.

Any other outcome would go down as one of the great upsets in the history of the league.