Kevin's Blog
Team USA: World War Three - Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Have you ever had a chip on your shoulder? Have you ever felt so obligated to prove something anything less then success would result in the loss of your entire identity? Have you ever been so focused that a 30 point lead maintained a strangle hold on your intensity similar to that of a 1 point game with 4 seconds left in the 4th quarter? If you said yes to all these, you are officially a member of the 2007-2008 USA Olympic preparing for war.
By now we are all familiar with the term “Shock and Awe.” Imagine being on the defensive barrage of the likes of Kobe and Melo? How would you like to feel the explosiveness of a “Dwight Howard Bomb?” Somehow the World was fooled into thinking Americans couldn’t shoot! Big mistake! Someone high up on the command ladder decided to send a message and send it hard. Ladies and gentlemen we have an arsenal full of plenty gunners like: Chauncey Billups, Mike Miller, Tayshaun Prince, and Michael Redd. Oh yea did I mention the two best scorers in the league (Carmelo and Kobe)? I think what Outkast meant was “Bombs over Beijing.”
We can’t lose. We won’t lose. We REFUSE to lose. With veteran players such as Kobe Bryant and Jason Kid leading the way, the tone is set for the rest of the team and the rest of the Olympics. Kid by the way has never lost in International play and doesn’t intend to start now. This is with out a doubt the best national team since the DREAM TEAM. That’s not to say that these teams aren’t comparable, but the DREAM TEAM was full of Hall of Famers at the peak of their career. The scary thing about this team is they are just beginning. What Country could possibly stand to the might of the U.S. this time around? Simply put we are unstoppable. A little too much talent combined with a little too much depth equals domination. Keep in mind the final roster is still open to a little tweaking. Also available in the U.S. arsenal are NBA stars such as: Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, and rookie superstar Kevin Durant. Gone are the days when we can just send any group of stars and dominate like the good old days. The International game has evolved exponentially and more foreigners enter the NBA every year. Now we are sending TALENTED CHOHESIVE teams that should restore U.S. dominance on the International scene.
Expect to see the U.S. invade China next year with a sense of urgency and purpose, poised but vindictive. This is a crucial stage for the International game of basketball and carries big implications. Either we reclaim our dominance or the NBA Monarchy good bye forever.
Photo Courtesy of usabasketball.com
You can email Kevin Lofton at klofton@talkhoops.net
Kevin's Profile
Currently I am a student based out of Denver, Co studying Sports Marketing. I am a Sports fanatic. I love everything from basketball to soccer with a dash of hockey and a dash of baseball. I particularly love the NBA though. How can you not? Who doesn’t like high-flying slam dunks, fade-a-way jumpers at the buzzer, the beauty of ball movement, or the beastly stare after a rejection at the rim? If you are normal then you are like me!
Favorite Team: Nuggets
Favorite Player: Me
Favorite College Team: Louisville
Favorite NBA Moment: Dwayne Wade 06 Finals
Least Favorite Team: San Antonio Spurs “I’m a hatter”
Least Favorite Player: Manu Ginobili
Least Favorite College Team: Gonzaga