Red White And Blue

The stage has been set. The team has been named. Now the work begins. USA basketball hopes to capture gold after a underachieving 2004 USA olympic hoop team accepted third in Athens. That is not enough. Managing Director Jerry Colangelo selected the team. They will be guided and coached by Mike Krzyewski. The team is as follows:

15 Carmelo Anthony 6.8F
4 Carlos Boozer 6.9F
12 Chris Bosh 6.10F
10 Kobe Bryant 6.6G
11 Dwight Howard 6.11C
6 Lebron James 6.8F
5 Jason Kidd 6.4G
13 Chris Paul 6.0G
14 Tayshaun Prince 6.9F
8 Michael Redd 6.6G
7 Dwayne Wade 6.3G

Carmelo will need to definately play better defense and will likely take a backside in scoring with Kobe n Lebron on the court. Boozer should add some power and rebounding. Bosh is a great defender and rebounder. Dwight Howard was simply a beast to be reckoned with this last year in the NBA. Hands down was an amazing year for Howard. Lebron and Kobe do a little of everything and do it well. Kobe, Lebron, Deron, and Paul all know how to create n score on their own if needed. Tayshaun is simply the best defender and will represent well. Redd provides some serious outside sharpshooting. Deron is simply becoming a superstar force to be reckoned with in the NBA. Paul knows how to run an offense. Kidd at 35 will be the veteran leader and also provide experience. Jason boasts of a perfect 44-0 record at the senior level competitions. Miami Heat Trainer Tim Grover has been working with Wade and has been given medical clearance and should definately be ready for Beijing. Training begins 28 June at Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus. This team should represent well in all facets of the game.

Citius, Altius, Fortius

With the Olympics less than 45 days how much do we really know about Beijing? In the city there are over 17 million citizens. Encircling Beijing are 9 expressways, 11 national highways, several railway routes and an international airport. Beijing only runs 5 subway lines for roughly 17 million citizens. By comparison NYC alone has 26 lines for only 8 million. On an average day in Beijing the air pollution is nearly 5 times above World Health Organization standards. Coal is China's main source of energy and bears much of the blame. It has numerous professional sports teams present. They are: Beijing Guoan (Soccer), Beijing Ducks (Basketball), Beijing Tigers (Baseball) and the China Sharks (Asia League Ice Hockey). The Olympics run 8 Aug thru the 24th. I will definately watch when I can track/field, basketball and soccer. What will you be watching?