2008 Beijing Olympics Redeem Team
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
The 2008 NBA Finals has long past.
Olympic Basketball has never had a bigger stage than the one it is on in China in 2008. The US team has gone through quite the metamorphosis since the Dream Teams in the 1990's. After all the 1992-1996-2000 success, the US fell on hard times in Athens in 2004 and had another bronze showing at the World Championships in 2006.
The US is a hungry team with players like Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade eager to cleanse their names from the disappointment in 2004. An experienced veteran in Jason Kidd has been added to provide stability in someone who has won Gold in the past for USA.
In terms of athleticism especially for Wings / Guards, the US is unmatched in the tournament. Where they are thin is at the big position, where Dwight Howard was slowed earlier with a sternum issue and Tyson Chandler was hurt as well (prompting USA to bring Tayshaun Prince instead). Chris Bosh is the backup Center but his thin frame may prove troublesome. FIBA games are much more physical than the NBA, partly because they are allowed to play that way and bang inside (no three seconds, so you can clog the lane).
In the previous Olympics matchup, the USA's Achilles Heel was long distance three point shooting. Michael Redd was then added, and most of the superstar types like Wade / Lebron / Carmelo have improved their three point shooting.
2008 USA Roster for Beijing
F - Carmelo Anthony (2004 Olympics 2006 World's)
F - Carlos Boozer (2004 Olympics)
C - Chris Bosh (2006 World's)
G - Kobe Bryant
C - Dwight Howard (2006 World's)
G - LeBron James (2004 Olympics 2006 World's)
G - Jason Kidd (2000 Olympics)
G - Chris Paul (2006 World's)
F - Tayshaun Prince
G - Michael Redd
G - Dwyane Wade (2004 Olympics 2006 World's)
G - Deron Williams
Group A
Argentina
Australia
Croatia
Iran
Lithuania
Russia
Group B
Angola
China
Germany
Greece
Spain
United States
Be sure to catch the NBA Olympic Superstars on TV - Preliminary Round starts August 10th. USA opens up against Yao Ming and China at 10:15 AM Eastern Time August 10th.