Although it is a big honor to represent your country, you have to realize that these athletes are doing it on their own time. Their livelihood and their legacy is established in the NBA, and by going to the Olympics they can end up being exhausted when it comes down to their jobs. I think that everyone who gets asked should experience it once, but by 2004 Shaq will be two years older than he is now, and he may be even more hurt than he is now. I think that he would go through the pain to play for Phil, but not for anyone else. And if USA Basketball doesn't like his attitude about it, then they can just not select him.