For NBA star Kobe Bryant, the United States have no choice but to win gold in Beijing. The Dream Team are desperate to recover lost glory. And the side, coached by Mike Kryzewski, have prepared like never before.
Says Kobe Bryant: “If we don’t win the gold medal, I’m leaving the country.
“The people ask me (about failure for gold in Beijing) and I joke a lot with them, but if we want to keep being American citizens, we must win the gold.
“If not, I might as well be an Italian with the name Giovani.”
Carmelo Anthony, who was a part of the bronze medal side in Athens, also symbolised the importance of glory in Beijing.
“I will send my baggage to another site, negotiate for a new contract elsewhere, and I won’t come back,” Anthony smiled.
“In 2004 we knew nothing. We were closed. It was shameful returning to the US knowing we have the best players in the world yet we came home with the bronze.”
For this Dream Team, the charge towards Olympic gold starts against the Chinese, in a match Kryzewski waits anxiously for.
“There is nothing better than to debut against China in a match many people say will be the most watched sporting event in Chinese history.”
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