The US Olympic basketball team is hoping chemistry between players and commitment will enable them to end a run of disappointing results on the international stage at next month's Beijing Games.
Many members of the 12-man team have adopted the slogan "Redeem Team" in reference to the famed "Dream Team" at the 1992 Olympics when NBA players first competed at the Games.
"Redeem Team. I love it," Dwyane Wade said after the players modelled their Olympic uniforms. "Redemption. There will never be another Dream Team, but we'll write our own history."
The 12-man US squad, made up of NBA players, was selected from a group who made a three-year commitment to participate in the national team.
"I think we're an easy-going group," NBA MVP Kobe Bryant said. "We all get along extremely well. We have great chemistry and a great deal of athleticism on the court.
"The old formula of just throwing a team together over a summer and just going out there playing and winning is not reasonable."
Returning from the 2004 Olympic team that lost to Puerto Rico, Lithuania and eventual gold medalist Argentina before taking bronze, are LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer and Wade.
"We all have something to prove," Wade said.
"We're not the champions, in 2004 or 2006," added the Miami Heat guard, referring to the 2006 world championship where the US team lost to Greece in the semifinals and claimed bronze behind gold medal winner Spain. He said the team's preparation would make a difference.
"There's no comparison between us and the 2004 team. It's a team, 2004 wasn't a team, it was thrown together because a lot of guys pulled out and they had to throw guys on the team."
James said adding point guard Jason Kidd, who won gold with the 2000 US Olympic team in Sydney, was a big help.
"Jason Kidd, he's one of the most professional guys we've ever had in our league," the powerful Cavaliers forward said. "So he automatically changes the chemistry of the team."
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has steered Duke University to three national college championships, said Olympic gold was the highest achievement in the game.
"Winning a gold medal would be the ultimate," he said. "This is for your country in a world competition. It's the top level. There's no question it would be the biggest achievement for any of us involved in this, player or coach."
(Shanghai Daily July 8, 2008)