U.S. Team Has Options Heading Into Olympics

Las Vegas - It seemed to last about seven months in the heat of the Nevada desert, but in reality it was about three weeks.

And it was time well spent for the United States basketball team, which finished its summer obligations with a perfect 10-0 record and a gold medal in the FIBA Americas tournament.
Beyond the lopsided victories and impressive statistics, including a victory margin averaging 39.5 points, more important knowledge was gained.

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd and Carmelo Anthony emerged as reliable leaders on the U.S. team that will try to reclaim gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And a sincere camaraderie was present, a quality so essential to building winning teams on the international stage.

"Had we won last year, we would not have been as prepared for next year," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the U.S. squad, referring to the team's need to qualify for the Olympics following a third-place finish at the 2006 World Championship.

"It might have been a false sense of security a little bit, too. We made some changes, and our resolve was that much greater because of what happened. When we look forward now, going to Beijing, we're much better prepared.

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source : jsonline.com