Wade Accepts Invite to Join U.S.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said he has accepted an invitation to try out for the U.S. basketball team that will compete at the world championships and the 2008 Olympics.

USA Basketball Director Jerry Colangelo is expected to reveal the 25-man roster Sunday.

Wade played for the 2004 team that won a bronze medal in Athens.

“I can honestly say if I had gotten [the gold] the first time, it probably would have been a different scenario this time around,” he said.

Shaquille O’Neal also has been invited to play, but Wade doesn’t expect his Heat teammate to accept.

“I’m not going to try to convince him,” Wade said. “It’s going to be hard to convince him anyway, with a new baby on the way. I just wanted to make my decision before him, so if that helped him any ... “

The team will be pared to 12 players for the world championships in Japan in August. Next year, the entire 25-man roster will attend another camp, followed by a camp and more exhibitions in 2008 leading up to the Beijing Olympics.

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Despite the worst record in the NBA, New York Knick owner James Dolan said that he’s not firing anyone.

“I can’t say it any plainer than I’ve already said it,” Dolan told New York-area newspapers. “I’m not making a change, guys. We’re going to continue on with the strategy. I believe in the plan. I believe in the strategy. I believe in the guys who are executing it.”

Speculation had centered on the job of Isiah Thomas, president of basketball operations. But Dolan said he considers this season year one of a three- to four-year plan.

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Forward Tim Thomas, 29, waived by the Chicago Bulls in the final $14-million season of his contract Wednesday, is expected to sign with the Phoenix Suns today.... The Houston Rockets claimed guard Rick Brunson, 33, off waivers from the Seattle SuperSonics, putting Brunson on his eighth team in nine seasons.