Filed under: Basketball
Team USA has gone the way of the slam dunk contest: an event that was once considered prestigious, but has now become a chore for young bucks still looking to make a name for themselves. The summer is used for resting, chilling, or fighting with your wife/girlfriend/baby's mama. It's not meant to be on the court.
The current Team USA is stronger than what we've had earlier in the decade, but then again, that's not a significant achievement. Most of the teams the US has put into international competition have been nothing short of embarrassing. We have a team where six of its players are 22 years old or younger, making you wonder if they've got the experience to win. But they are certainly winning, and for that I must give them credit.
What I'd like to hear are explanations. I am sure there are financial reasons that LeBron James has no interest in risking injury to step onto the court. After all, World Championship and Olympic basketball are similar to the NCAA, where millions are being made and that money isn't going to the athletes. But I'd love to get a written excuse from Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and all the other All-Stars who are choosing not to play. Again, this is not to attack them personally, I just wonder why we are sending the B-team to represent the U.S.
Either way, the guys out there are doing a great job. They seem to have a chance to win it and they seem to want to win it. Their coach, Mike Krzyzewski from Duke University, seems to have the team clicking on all cylinders and playing together like nobody's business. I expect that they will restore glory to USA Basketball once again.
What I always find fascinating about international basketball competitions is that the urban athletes from the US seem to get "schooled" by the European players. The fundamentals of European players are phenomenal and team discipline is extraordinary. While American athletes are quite disciplined themselves, it seems that international play is the place where jumping out of the gym doesn't seem to have as much value as being able to knock down a three point shot. Either way, our guys are still the team to beat, and I am proud of them for it. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.