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June 12, 2004Much has already been said about the Olympic basketball team and the committee’s troubles filling up the squad, so I’m just piling on here.Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party-at least for the Olympic Spirit. To fight like an underdog, even though the Americans are far from it when it comes to basketball in the Olympics. What bothers me is not only that many of the top names apparently haven’t placed an Olympic berth on a pedestal but the lack of fight in these guys to want to go over there, in the face of world troubles, and show that the United States is out in full force. If something goes kaboom when that plane gets near the Greek coast, we could see more Americans bailing out to resemble the British retreat at Dunkirk. In an interview with USA TODAY, the NBA’s vice president of operations, Stu Jackson- also chairman of the committee selecting the Olympic team-said that most who’ve declined a spot have had international experience, “They’ve done their tour of duty,.” Jackson said. That sounds suspiciously like a chore, a burden. Where’s the guts? Now is the time to reach down with that inner feeling of pride and the intoxicating feeling of being an underdog in the face of world opinion (and terrorism) and step up. Besides, making an Olympic team in any sport is an honor and we’re only young enough for so long. There are many out there who would “kill” for a spot and some people are turning it down in ho-hum fashion. The list is long with names like Kidd, McGrady, Garnett, Allen, Bryant, Malone, O’Neal and Carter. Reasons: Fatigue, Injuries, wedding, contract negotiation, trial, security concerns, etc., etc. Players’ backing out isn’t anything new. This has happened before and after the original Dream Team of 1992 but apparently, that novelty has worn off. I guess for some, once or twice is enough, even if it means the Olympics. But not all on this list have ever been an Olympian. Why wouldn’t that aspect motivate those players? Maybe the image of Nicolas Berg screaming for his life was what did it. Who knows? Carmelo Anthony is one who wants to be on the team but publicly said he doesn’t expect a call. For crying out loud, here’s a guy who led all NBA rookies in scoring and doesn’t even get a tryout? Maybe they need to mix the NBA players with top college players and go back to the days of Hank Iba when you had to tryout for the team. Why not? At least that way, we would find out who’s hungry and who isn’t. A certain terrorist group, apparently based in Greece, is threatening westerners if they show up for the Olympics. It’s easy to hide behind a computer and tell others how do be strong. But this is a time to be defiant; a time to show what the Americans are about. Sadly, pride on the basketball side is not flowing like a river, more like constipation. This is looking more like shades of 1972 when a few big names were missing from that team (Bill Walton, where have you gone?). But this Olympic year will dwarf any other for named stars missing from the team. They do have Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson committed, as well as the rookie sensation LeBron James. But if they don’t play like a team, it could be 1988 all over again and James will stand for Le Bronze. |
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