No Redemption in Beijing for the US ‘Redeem Team’

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant,  Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, and the rest of the USA men’s basketball team will surely be standing at the podium receiving their medals at the end of the Olympic Games, but there will be no Star Spangled Banner to be heard in the background.

Although this year’s team is the most prepared all-pro USA national squad ever assembled, some factors will still stand in their way of redeeming the great American pride in basketball...

NBA Superstars Can’t Pull the Trigger When the Game is on the Line

Most of the current NBA players on the roster may have scored winning baskets in the world’s premiere league, but international basketball is an entirely different matter.

In the crucial games they had lost in Athens, Allen Iverson couldn’t even connect on a shot he had been easily making in the NBA. And Tim Duncan couldn’t be at his usual smartest self in their most important games four years ago.

With the two of their best players then not returning now, it’s a wonder who would take the ball in his hands and deliver crucial baskets when a shot at the gold medal is at stake.

They Wouldn’t Risk Their Multi-Million-Dollar Contracts

If LeBron James literally breaks a leg, heaven forbid, what about his being on track to becoming the first billionaire athlete? What would happen to Los Angeles Lakers’ bid on a return trip in the finals if Kobe seriously injures himself? Would the Orlando Magic be the same again if Dwight Howard suffers a career-threatening injury?

They may successfully block these thoughts off their heads but these concerns in their sub-conscious minds will surely prevent them from diving for loose balls.  

Basketball is Still a Team Game

This group of basketball superstars may have an overwhelming advantage in every position over any of the countries competing, but it is still the best ‘team’ out there who will win in the end. Teamwork is not a thing that can be developed overnight. Besides, lack of it can never be compensated even with superior individual match-up edge.

They may have tons of NBA experiences combined, but how about as a team?

International Teams Already Have their Numbers

When Jordan, Magic, Bird, and company had shown that the USA and the rest of the world were worlds apart, it looked like the Americans would never lose a basketball game ever again. But through the years, the average margins have dwindled until they finally got beat.

The world had realized that there’s a secret to dealing a Dream Team a loss and it had already been figured out in two world championships and the in last Olympics. And with the Team USA not making major adjustments this time, the formula is still going to work in Beijing.

LeBron’s Boast Will Add to their Burdens

As an aftermath of the 2004 Dream Team’s nightmare finish in Athens, Kirk Hinrich feared that “Americans would kill them after failing to bring the gold medal home”. I wonder what LeBron James would say when he and his multi-millionaire teammates fail to bring home his ‘guaranteed’ gold medal this time.

They may have been annihilating all their opponents in exhibition games in preparation for their Olympic stint, but by the time the quarterfinals or semifinals of the ‘real’ games in Beijing come around, living up to James’ big talk will surely add more pressure on the ‘Redeem Team’ as they go up against fired-up and more cohesive opponents.

Of course, being a big NBA fan who lives in a basketball crazy country, I’d be glad to be proven wrong.