Going for Gold

I do a lot of different things at work. I check my mail, read the sports headlines, go to the bathroom and occasionally do "actual" work. Well, today wasn't one of those occasional days. (I'm kidding, I really do work hard... or do I? No I do.... I think.)

But anyway, today I was listening to ESPN Radio at my desk and heard Colin Cowherd talking about team USA. He, along with most sports personalities, agree that team USA has the best basketball players on the planet. Yet those same personalities also think that the 2008 version of the "Dream Team" doesn't stand a chance against the international competition this summer. Their main reason being that Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd and company rarely play together, while teams from across the globe have been scrimmaging and practicing together for years.

I sent him an email detailing my disagreement, but he has yet to respond on air. I'm expecting a call at home later tonight.

Here is my point - Doesn't having the best players in the world trump chemistry? I realized that it hasn't in the years past, as Team USA has been embarrassed in recent memory on the international stage. But this is a different game. It's different than the pros, it's different than college and it takes a while to adjust.

Don't get me wrong, they cannot win on talent alone. They will need to practice together and adapt to the different rules. But at some point, talent takes over. Part of being great is making those around you better, regardless if you've played with them for seven years or seven minutes. Kobe Bryant made Pau Gasol look like a superstar in a few short months of playing together (until the Celtics exposed him as Pau Ga"soft").

I could take my YMCA basketball team (who just lost a heart breaker by one point) and practice everyday for three years. We would be a well oiled machine, knowing exactly where everyone would be without even looking. We could run our offense and defense in our sleep. Put us against a random group of five NBA'ers who don't even like each other and they'd cover the 45 point spread easily.

And just so you know, we are no easy competition. I've bumped my points average from 4.5 last year to well over 5 this year. And I would have broke double digits last week had the ref not had it out for me.

But the point amongst this random ranting is that there is a difference between a good player, and a great player. A good player consistently puts up numbers. A great player puts up numbers and makes those around them better.

So with great players on the roster, why can't USA win gold?

I'm open to your opinions.