Barring a complete collapse by the Americans in Beijing, they'll be bringing the gold back home to America.  After a disappointing showing in Greece the Americans needed to look at how they prepared themselves for international play.  They could no longer just show up, play, and win.  International play is much different then the NBA and play has improved vastly in the last ten years.  In international play the three point line is only 20'6", there's a triangular key with no restricted area, and tough play is encouraged and allowed. 

Jerry Colangelo was hired to put together a senior national team that could stick together leading up to the '08 Olympics in Beijing.  His first objective was to find a coach willing to give him the same commitment he was gonna get from members on the team.  Coach K was interviewed and agreed to be the coach.  The three year program got off to a bumpy start when the Americans lost in the semi-finals of the '06 World Championships in Japan.  Coach K was criticized for his lack of respect for opposing players when calling them by number rather then name after losing.  Coach K also took a lot of heat for the way he coached and made or didn't make adjustments when the US lost. 

There's no doubt this team is focused and on a mission to prove everyone wrong.  They're focused, determined, and look like an actual team with star studded players.  This time around Coach K and his players are respecting their opponents and the NBA players are respecting Coach K.  The way Coach K has taken individual stars from the NBA and transformed them into what now makes the senior national team is nothing short of amazing.  I'm sure there's GMs from across the league that have taken notice and will be contacting Coach K about vacant coaching jobs following the upcoming season after seeing how he's handled the egos of NBA stars.  It's only a matter of time before he makes the jump to the NBA.  Teams with money, star players, and no coach will present him with an offer second to none; but will it be enough to pry him away from Duke?  Only time will tell but it's my opinion that you'll see Coach K coaching in the NBA in the next year or two. 

The original Dream Team versus the Redeem Team?  Let the debate begin.  What if you were to take the Micheal Jordan of 1992 against today's Kobe, what if you were to put the stifling defense of Scottie Pippen in his prime on LeBron James, and what if the finesse play of David Robinson was matched up against the physical specimen that is Dwight Howard? 

The original team was star studded from top to bottom but also had its bench riding roll players just as this team does.  Sixteen years ago all the Americans had to do was wake up from their slumber and play basketball.  There wasn't a question raised every game as to whether or not the team would win but rather by how much.  No three year commitment was necessary to compete in '92 and critics weren't constantly picking your play apart game after game.  Today opposing players don't foul to get their pictures taken with NBA stars, they foul because they can compete and are much more physical today then they were 16 years ago.  International teams and players also have a lot more confidence today then they did back then.  And you don't see 60 point blow outs like in the old days.  The '92 Dream Team was much bigger across the front line with assured hall of famers scoring at will against weaker and intimidated players. 

Things are much different now thanks to the rising level of competition internationally.  Team USA hasn't won gold since 2000 thanks to lack luster play by some of the teams as well as the calibur of players on those teams. There's no doubt this team is younger and quicker, but could they compete with the stardom, size, and experience of the original Dream Team?  Could the front line of Bosh, Boozer, and Howard hold up against Ewing, Malone, Barkley, and Robinson?  Could Kobe, Wade, and James use their quickness and athleticism to over power Jordan, Mullin, and Bird?  Could the three headed monster of Kidd, Williams, and Paul be able to lead against the two greatest assist men to play the game in Stockton and Magic?  SoundOFF!!! 

Team USA took care of business early this morning beating Lithuania 120-84.  This was the third exhibition game for the Americans and it produced the third route for the Americans.  The Americans got off to a quick start thanks to stifling defense and hot shooting from Kobe Bryant.  Dwayne Wade came off the bench to continue his impressive play finishing with a team high 19 points. He also brought the fans to their feet with a spectacular windmill alley-oop from Chris Paul.  All though Team USA won in impressive fashion going away there were still some areas to work on.  For one, they let Lithuania cut the lead to just nine points in the third quarter, but quickly buckled down and turned it into a 36 point route.  Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz was solid when he was on the floor and finished with 6 points and 7 assists.  Chris Paul also finished with 7 assists, but it was Williams that was able to penetrate the Lithuanian zone with his strength and athleticism.  He helped open things up on the perimeter as he found wide open shots for Wade, Redd, and others.  It also helped confuse the zone of the Lithuanians on the inside.  Williams will be a valuable asset for Team USA as it gets deep into Olympic play.  It was the zone that killed USA in previous championships and Olympics, but having guys like Williams and Paul penetrating the zones will make it tough for the other teams to defend.  Combined with the seasoned play of Kidd and the dual headed monster of Paul and Williams, Team USA should be able to handle and exploit any defensive scheme thrown at them.  All around it was an impressive performance by Team USA.  They showed they could dominate from the tip but they also showed composure when Lithuania cut the lead to just nine points by turning up their defensive pressure and pushing the ball up the court; something that was definitely missing from Team USA in Athens.  This was another big test for Team USA as they continue to show why they're a favorite to win Gold in China.  The Americans will face a tough test against Russia Sunday at 3:00 AM EST. The Utah Jazz will have three of its best players on display.  AK-47, playing for the Russain national team; will be mixing it up against his good buddies and teammates Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.  Russia won the Euro League Championships last summer on the wings of Kirilenko.  This will be another big test for the Americans as they continue their exhibition tour leading up to the Olympics.  Have you been impressed with the play of the Americans thus far?  What concerns, if any; do you have about the play of Team USA?  Will their size be an issue?  SoundOFF!!!

The NBA is sending some it's best stars over seas to compete in the upcoming Beijing Olympics that get under way on 08-08-08.  There's one problem, Team USA is small; very small.  Jerry Colangelo and Coach K have built this team around athleticism, defense, and lights out shooting.  The only true center this team has on its roster is Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.  Should Howard go down or get into foul trouble Team USA could be in trouble.  Defending the perimeter will be the least of Team USA's worries with Wade, Bryant, Redd, James, Williams, and Paul making it tough for shooters to get open for uncontested shots.  Team USA is also counting on ball control and guard play to help take them to the Gold.  Limiting turn overs will be a big key the teams success this year.  In an exhibition game against Canada, Team USA had 19 turnovers; but were able to pull away from the Canucks with impressive defense and lights out shooting.  Canada held it close through the first quarter and a few minutes but it was the youthful play of Paul and Williams that helped propel Team USA to a 120-65 victory.   Competition will only get stronger as the Americans advance.   So the question today is going to be whether or not the size of Team USA will be an issue and if the concept of team first will be executed by Team USA.  With the mix of experience and youth, Team USA should be in good shape regardless; but only time will tell.  Can Team USA reclaim it's glory and swagger by winning Gold this year?  Will size be an issue?  Would you consider it a failure should Team USA not win gold?  SoundOFF!!!