Ramsey: U.S. men’s hoop victory the pinnacle
BEIJING – As the United States announced its basketball supremacy with a victory over Spain, NBA commissioner David Stern looked ready to leap with joy.He sat in the VIP section, not far from David Beckham, wearing a finely tailored suit along with huge smile.
On the court, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade enjoyed a long hug. LeBron James raised his hands to the sky.
The United States again ruled the basketball world. This is how it used to be. This is how it’s supposed to be.
Stern had plenty of reason for jubilation after the Americans’ triumph in the gold-medal game. Any fan of American basketball needed this victory, but no one needed it more than Stern.
After enduring months of bad news in a league that has tested the faith of anyone who loves the game, Stern and millions of Americans watched the NBA’s biggest stars play the game gracefully and unselfishly.
The Americans played hustling defense, attacked the boards, shared the ball, cheered for each other, refused to sulk about playing time, declined to gripe at refs and, over and over, elevated their country above self.
It was a great show, so great it’s easy to forget Tim Donaghy, the NBA ref who shaved points, and the ball-hogging brand of basketball that often turns NBA arenas into chambers of boredom.
Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball’s managing director, and coach Mike Krzyzewski assembled one of history’s grandest collections of talent and persuaded players to embrace a rah-rah, we’re-all-in-this-together attitude.
“They carried themselves with dignity,” said Colangelo, whoadmitted he wiped away tears as the game ended.
This team wanted to erase the Disaster of 2004, when the Americans bumbled in Athens. The Americans had lost twice in Olympic basketball in 68 years.
Somehow, they found a way to lose three times in two awful weeks in Greece.
The failure gnawed at James, Wade and Anthony. Any time you talked at length with Anthony over the past few months, he mentioned how much he wanted the gold.
Chasing the gold defined this team. Anthony wondered, like anyone would, how Coach K could keep both Kobe Bryant and Wade happy. They’re the top two small forwards residing on our planet, but someone had to come off the bench.
Wade never complained about becoming a bench player for two weeks.
“It was hard,” Anthony said. “But we wasn’t really tripping over minutes or who starts or doesn’t start.”
The Americans chased victory instead of highlight films. The best players in the world showed the best attitude in the world.
The good times should linger. James, Anthony and Wade could win another two gold medals, and Bryant promises to wear red, white and blue as a 34-year-old at the 2012 Olympics.Colangelo flashed a smile.
“The bar has been raised,” he said, “and it will be even better next time.”
Hate to disagree with you, Jerry, but I’m skeptical about that last statement.
Not sure how it could be better next time.
Contact the writer: Columnist David Ramsey can be reached at 476-4985 or david.ramsey@gazettedev.gazette.com. Check out David’s blog at http://daveramseysez.freedomblogging.com
US Men’s Basketball team members Kobe Bryant and Michael Redd, right, embrace after their Gold Medal win over Spain Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE
The US Men’s Basketball team watch the US flag raised during the Gold Medal Ceremony Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
USA’s Carmelo Anthony holds his medal in his mouth following the US Men’s Basketball team’s Gold Medal win over Spain Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette