Larry Brown, coach and diplomat, tried not to offend anyone when he was asked to name the best teams in next summer's Olympic qualifying tournament for the Americas region.

"Did I leave anybody out?" Brown asked after listing some of the attributes of Argentina, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada and the Dominican Republic.

Brown's vast knowledge of international basketball, along with his well-respected coaching skills, made him the choice of the USA Basketball selection committee as head coach of the 2003 Olympic men's basketball qualifying team.

Provided the U.S. team wins one of three available berths at next summer's qualifying tournament, which likely will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Brown will also coach the Americans at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Brown played on the gold medal-winning U.S. team in 1964 and was an assistant coach for the 1980 and 2000 teams -- unique qualifications that helped him to be selected over the other nominees, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan and Pat Riley.

"Those experiences were very special for me. I realized how much this game means to people in our country," Brown said. "I'm aware everybody looks to USA Basketball as the best, and I'm hopeful I can be part of a great experience.''

Actually, some people in other parts of the world don't look at USA Basketball as the best anymore following America's sixth-place finish at last summer's World Championships.

The U.S. team was outplayed by Argentina, Yugoslavia and Spain in that tournament, which American federation officials are quick to cite as evidence as to how the world has caught up in a sport the United States once dominated.

"Many of these teams been together for years, they're playing a style of ball that they're used to year round," Jackson said. "It's going to take some adjustment on our part to get back to the level that we're used to."

A spokesman for FIBA-Americas, Javier Otero, said the 10-team qualifying tournament will likely be held in San Juan from Aug. 21-31.

Brown will assemble the team for a training camp and at least one exhibition game prior to the 10-team qualifying tournament, in which the U.S. team will play 10 games in 11 days.

USA Basketball has decided to place a greater emphasis during training on the difference between NBA and international basketball.

"International competition can be a real cold slap in the face. The referees are different, the rules are different and the style of play is different," USA Basketball selection committee chairman Stu Jackson said. "Certainly having Coach Brown, and his experience with basketball internationally, will prove to our benefit."

Asked to name the best teams in the region, Brown gave his highest praise to Argentina, the second-place finisher behind Yugoslavia at the World Championships.

"When we were in Puerto Rico (for the 1999 qualifying tournament), Argentina was breaking in a young team. And you saw end result of that in Indianapolis. They were outstanding.

"There was so many teams that I was unsuspecting of that showed me they had quality programs and coaching, and when you play 10 games in 11 days it can be very intense."

The core group of the players on the 2003 U.S. team will also be on the 2004 team. The other three or four spots on the 12-man qualifying roster will be comprised of role players who have no assurances for Athens.

Then again, there are no long-term guarantees for any of the American players unless they finish in the top three next summer.

"I'm confident we have the best players, and I think this is going to be the best opportunity for us to show the world the right way to play," Brown said. "I'm sure those guys will be committed to showing people that we are truly the best."

Several of the best American players, including Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan and Ray Allen, have already contacted USA basketball to express their interest in playing.

Others have made public comments saying they'd be honored to be a part of the U.S. team.

Jackson said one of Brown's best players on the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson, would receive serious consideration to be among the "core group" of eight or nine players to be chosen by early February.

"At this time I cannot say if he'll be asked," Jackson said.

Brown's three assistant coaches will be chosen in January.

The first six U.S. players will be selected by the end of December, with two or three more to be added in early February.