With the preparations for the Olympics in full flow, the US Dream Team has the missing element this time around. Last time in Japan, the Dream Team had only in the dream which was shattered in the semi-finals. They had 3 announced captains. All youngsters Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade & Lebron James. We all know it doesn't work that way.
You may be the best player in the league but it takes a lot more years of sweat and playing time on the floor to become what one can call a leader. It showed in the toughest of times and the most talented team in the Olympics, lost in the semis to Greece.
This time, they have the missing factor. The leadership. With the presence of Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd, whether announced or not, are the true captains of the team. Everybody can look up to them for the motivation and leadership on the floor. It would be key to have at least one of them on the floor at all times during any game.
The talent has not gone anywhere and the leadership is here. I have them as clear favorites this time. I would be really surprised if they don't come back with Olympic Gold this time around.
There is only one threat, injuries. Beijing Olympics start in about 8 days.
Only Bryant can lead them.
ReplyDeleteKobe should be announced as their captain.
ReplyDelete@wasim - I think in the game of basketball, its better to have unannounced captains and its kinda understood...
ReplyDeleteThe coach makes the plays in the right way to ensure that the go-to guy is at the end of it...
a lot is done on the drawing board...
The American side is full of egoistical superstars. To win they need to play unselfish team ball.And one of the superstars will have to step up and show the way. And nobody does that better than J-Kidd. Kobe has learnt to share the ball a little but I still wouldn't count on him totally.
ReplyDelete@avnish - you are right...but I think championship gold is something that Kobe has more of and it matters...at the death...
ReplyDeleteKidd and Kobe together can be amazing...one who you would want to have the ball in hand when trying to make a play at the death....and the other who would want to have at the end of the play...with the final touch on the ball...
Kidd is highly overrated he is only a shadow of his past, some teams do not announce their leader but most of them have known leaders,
ReplyDeletePistons- Chauncey, Celtics- Paul pierce, Suns - Nash, Mavs- Dirk, Cavilliers- Lebron, LA- Kobe. Nuggets- Carmelo, Houston- Tmac. Now there are a lot of teams who are either in disarray or are in rebuilding stage and are looking for their main leader, but all the big teams have a defined leader.
@wasim - those are pretty much announced leaders wasim...their paycheque says it all...hehhe...
ReplyDeleteIn a national team however you cannot announce as it might be taken in the wrong way by someone...basketball is a pure team sport where a captain plays a much less role as captain and more as a player...
anyway...its a good makeup this year...for team USA...
Am clueless here :)
ReplyDelete@scorpicity - keep reading and you will get interested...its a great sport...
ReplyDeleteHey Umar, what's up? I got a new Blog, I deleted my Yankee one. Check it out!
ReplyDeletehttp://whentheunderdogwins.wordpress.com/
@Matt - hey wonderful. More sports...good stuff...
ReplyDelete[...] losers last Olympics. The only flaw identified as Leadership. As mentioned in another post about Bryant & Kidd being Unannounced Captains, I had said this would be the difference. I think it [...]
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