Why We Love USA Hoops

By Brendon Rosenau
Love of Sports Correspondent

The team that’ll try to restore the United States to the top of the international basketball mountain is locked and loaded.

As one would expect, this team reads like an MVP ballot. A team with more talent than the Playboy Mansion ready to conquer all. Though, that hasn’t been the problem in the past.

The key element missing, which has resulted in recent Team USA embarrassments, has been a commitment to the team. Players haven’t committed to the Olympic program. They haven’t committed to each other. It’s been a display of “look at me with the ball.”

Thankfully, all of that has changed.

Mike Krzyzewski was brought in three years ago to put together a team – and the key word here is “team” - that will leave it all on the courts in China and make the country proud. This group of players is on a mission to win the gold medal. Not for money or sneaker contracts, but for their country.

Don’t believe me? Just check out the words of LeBron James.

“Our only goal in Beijing is to win the gold medal. That should be everybody’s goal. Even if you’re not part of the team. Everybody in America should have the same goal for an Olympian going over there wearing the red, white and blue, not just the basketball team.”

How can you not root for this team?

This time around, the players are taking this thing seriously. This isn’t business. This is personal. It’s all about pride.

In the coming weeks, we at The Love of Sports will keep you updated on the progress of the team, as well as the rest of our Olympians heading to China next month. The 12-man hoops team has been announced and practices are already underway.

It’s already been determined that Team USA will be playing in Group B with the likes of China, Angola, Spain and two others. Group A has such teams as Iran, Lithuania, Argentina, Russia and Australia.

They’ll be playing two exhibition games soon in order to prepare staring at the end of this month and stretching to a week before the games begin. They’ll then open Olympic play against host China on August 10.

Below are the 12 players who comprise the Team USA roster.

Guards

Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
Jason Kidd, Dallas
Chris Paul, New Orleans
Michael Redd, Milwaukee
Dwyane Wade, Miami
Deron Williams, Utah

Forwards

Carmelo Anthony, Denver
Carlos Boozer, Utah
Chris Bosh, Toronto
LeBron James, Cleveland
Tayshaun Price, Detroit

Center

Dwight Howard, Orlando

There are also five alternates who can replace one of the original 12 before the finalized rosters are due on August 6. Right now, Tyson Chandler’s traveling with the team because of a possible injury to Howard, while the other alternates are Mike Miller, Chauncey Billups, Kevin Durant, Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson.

It’s time to start thinking “team” and not “me.” Because of that, we’re jumping on the USA Bandwagon once again. It’s long overdue.