Sports > August 28, 2008

By Connor Swarbrick | Sports editor

For the first time in a decade the USA Senior National team locked arms and stepped onto the medal podium as one.

For the first time in a decade the USA Senior National team locked arms and stepped onto the medal podium as one.

This team earned their gold medal.

This may not have been the “Dream Team” but they certainly earned the name “Redeem Team.” They did what they set out to do. It wasn’t just about winning a gold medal to put United States back on top of the basketball realm; it was about playing as a team.

For the first time in a long time a group of NBA superstars cared more about the USA than their individual teams.

For the first time in a long time a gold medal at the Olympics meant more than a NBA title.

Their reaction after clinching a 118-107 victory in the gold medal game over Spain spoke volumes. Jason Kidd embraced Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the two spun jubilantly in circles.

All of the players were simply giddy. Lebron James couldn’t stop staring at his medal and another team member bit into his.

As the National Anthem played Carmelo Anthony wiped a tear away, and James and Kobe Bryant sang along with their hands over their hearts.

In appreciation of their work, numerous players placed their medals around Krzyzewski’s neck and then Jerry Colangelo’s, the national director of USA basketball.

This team did it the right way.

No longer are USA players bigger, faster, stronger.

Team USA can no longer run up and down the court throwing alley-oops and not playing defense and expect to win.

In 2004 Team USA had not figured that out. They were lucky to have won bronze.

In 2002 Team USA finished an embarrassing sixth in the FIBA World Championships in Indianapolis, Ind.

This team played the International style of phenomenal defense and selfless play and that is what made them fun to watch.

There is just something special about watching the best 12 man team in the world play as a well-oiled machine. They knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and it was their extraordinary willpower and determination that put them on the medal podium.

The “Redeem Team” refused to be compared to the “Dream Team.”

The 1992 team included names like Barkley, Jordan, Ewing and Magic. It was the first time NBA players were allowed to play in international competition, and they played together as perhaps the best team ever. However, comparisons may be more legitimate than you think.

In 1992 Team USA won their games by an average of 43.8 points. They crushed Angola by 68 points and the Angolans proceeded to ask for autographs after the game. In 1996 Team USA beat Angola by 33 and in 2004 they won by 36. This year the Redeem team only beat Angola by 21.

The margin of victory has one major variable, the quality of the opponent.

International basketball has made quantum leaps in last decade. The teams are no longer filled with unknown players. Almost every team has NBA stars just like team USA, but they also have many roll players and the experience of playing together as a team.

Yao Ming, Andrew Bogut, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, Andrei Kirilenko, Pau Gasol and Luis Scola are just a few of the household names that were opponents of Team USA in the Olympics but teammates of them during the NBA season.

The interest in the sport has lead to an increase in participation and as a result the quality of play across the board.

Colangelo made the decision to follow the international model. First he got players excited about playing for Team USA. No longer are players using lame excuses; they are lining up at Colangelo’s door.

He made Team USA a three year commitment, so the superstars can bond and learn to play as a team. Then he recruited one of the best coaches of all time to bring the enthusiasm of college basketball to the NBA players.

This team had stars in Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. They had experience in Jason Kidd, who is now 56-0 in International competition. They had the best young backcourt in the world in Deron Williams and Wake Forest’s own Chris Paul. And they had role players in Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince, Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer.

Colangelo recruited a good character group and that showed in Bejing.They did not put themselves above other American athletes.

One of the best images from the Olympic Games was Kobe Bryant and LeBron James cheering on Michael Phelps as he swam for his historic eighth gold medal. Jason Kidd fulfilled his promise to his friend Misty May-Treanor, who idolized him growing up, when he attended the Gold Medal volleyball match.

There are no 30 and 40 point blowouts in Team USA’s future. The opponents are too good and that is why this team’s accomplishments are so impressive.

Colangelo is prepared for the challenge ahead. There are many more players on Team USA than actually went to the Olympics and he has a U.S. Select team comprised of younger players that are waiting in the wings. Colangelo has the goal of making USA basketball the summer home of the greats in the game.

Most importantly though, a gold medal is once again the supreme goal in the player’s minds.

Coach K even said, no disrespect to Duke, but this is the greatest accomplishment of his storied career. This Team USA was proud to serve their country.

The 2008 Gold Medal Game was the biggest win in USA Men’s Basketball Olympic history given where the program was and what this team accomplished.

It is unfortunate that fans in America didn’t get the opportunity to watch this spectacular team due to the time of the telecasts (2:30 a.m. for the championship game).

However, one billion of Team USA’s biggest fans did get to see them in action. China has fallen in love with basketball. They are building courts in every village and Kobe Bryant is as well known as Yao Ming.

Having such a compelling basketball competition in the place where the game is growing the most was perfect for the game of basketball.

While Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps are once-in-a-century athletes that put on amazing performances, Team USA deserves just as many headlines.

So hats off to you Mr. Colangelo, Coach K and all of the “Redeem Team.”