The 2008 USA Men's Basketball team resumed its preparations for the Beijing Olympics yesterday in Las Vegas with all sights set on avenging their embarrassing performance in Athens, Greece.
"Earning" a bronze medal in the 2004 games may be the single lowest point in USA basketball history, taking out the cheating Russians which wasn't under their own control. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom for a dysfunctional program to improve itself and I believe that to be the case under the refocused leadership of head coach Mike Krzyzewski and director Jerry Colangelo.
In 2004, 10 of the original 12 invitations were rejected. That pretty much says it all. And if it didn't getting smoked by Argentinians and Lithuanians who played passionate team basketball sure was an awakening.
Many of the big names return to this year's team: Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant return. However, the best additions are those of Deron Williams and Chris Paul who should provide some breathtaking plays in the international format.
It's a ridiculous team, but let's not get carried away and keep dubbing each Olympic entry a "Dream Team." 1992 will be the only team worthy of such a title.
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