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Olympics 2000
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Interactive News by Email Hoopchat Frequently Asked Questions Can the USA lose ? Nope.
The gods of Olympic history have often decreed that no matter how talented, how dominant, how impressive any sporting competitor may be in their discipline, the fickle nature of fate always looms large, ready to pounce and deliver the glory instead to a previously unfavoured recipient. Yet if there is banker for gold in Sydney you can stick your house, car and any expendable family member on, it must be that the United States will be jumping on the highest rostrum when the medals for men’s basketball are handed out.
Even minus the likes of Shaq and Kobe - absentees by choice - or Grant Hill and Tim Duncan - sick noted out - the fourth incarnation of the Dream Team again looks like turning the medal chase into a contest for silver and bronze. Coached by Houston Rockets’ playcaller Rudy Tomjanovich, their NBA talent filled team reads more like an All-Star roster than a national squad, an intimidating thought for the other 11 sides who will join them in the draw.
And while that sense of awe, which led opposing players to ask for autographs and pictures midway through the game in 1992, may have dissipated somewhat as the global game has gained in self-esteem, the form which the Americans have demonstrated in their pre-tournament warm-ups has been no less than sensational.
Comfortable defeats of both Canada and a collegiate select side suggest their collection of superstars will continue the run of success for their country. And as Canuck captain Steve Nash testifies, the rest will just have to focus on the consolation prize.
“The USA could be beaten but it would be remarkable if they were,” he conceded. “When you look at the guys they have on their team, what they can do in the NBA, everyone else is playing for second. But I think the gap is getting closer and who knows ? Maybe one time we could see another country come through.”
Outwardly at least, the Dream Teamers are modestly talking up the chances of their opponents, spouting utterances about ‘having to earn the gold’. The margin of superiority has dropped every time since the strolls enjoyed by the Jordan-Bird-Magic led squad of 1992 and Tomjanovich has urged against complacency in his ranks. But the real sentiments have still shone through.
“I told the players that this USA Basketball team has an extra responsibility because we are looked at to not only win a gold medal but to represent the game of basketball. The sport was invented in America, we have the elite players from the best league in the world here and we have to play that way. We couldn't just come out here and say, "We have a lot of good players, so let's just throw the ball out and play." It doesn't work that way because we'd never reach the heights a team like this could reach.”
So what of the pre-ordained also-rans ? Who might finish first in the race to be best of the rest ? There are NBA representatives on many squads plus three exports from our very own BBL. New Zealand’s Tall Blacks will have a special support in Chester, who are loaning their captain Pero Cameron to the Kiwi cause. And on Tyneside, the exploits of Eagles’ Andrew Mavis and his Canadian team-mates will be followed with additional interest.
European champions Italy could make a challenge for the placings led by London-born veteran Carlton Myers while the hosts possess an experienced squad which will be cheered on at every turn. And world champions Yugoslavia should end up in contention. But for all bar one side, silver in Sydney will be the prize on offer.
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