BEIJING — San Antonio Spur star Tim Duncan made no secret his disgust for international officiating following the 2004 Athens Olympics when he played for the bronze-medal winning USA team.

Duncan spent most U.S. games on the bench in foul trouble and thoroughly frustrated. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Carlos Boozer were teammates of Duncan's on that team. The bad taste lingered and pushed them to make the commitment to the 2008 team.

But Wade understands why Duncan didn't want anymore to do with FIBA and international ball.