HoopsHype.com Columns

Protecting history
by Dean Serravalle / September 4, 2002

If anything, teams like Spain, Germany or Yugoslavia seem brash and ready to take on the Roman Empire of world basketball domination. But are such teams ready for a coup? And are they capable, albeit hungry to make history, to knock the king off his throne.

Disregarding the smirk on Vlade Divac's face whenever questioned about a possible defeat of Team USA, there are realistic factors to consider when discussing an upset of "Miracle on Ice" proportions.

This year's USA squad is a far cry from the mythical gods of Dream Team fame. Although talented in their own right, they lack the intimidating names that won games before they were even played - in warm ups. Gone are the days when wide-eyed players from European and South American teams would approach members of Team USA for a picture and an autograph, almost surrendering defeat with such respect for the opposition. Now the names on Team USA. are common, up and coming, but not as legendary, or approachable on a fan to superstar basis. This young generation of NBA superstars have become human, almost relatable in their off the court problems, and vulnerable in their lack of championship credentials.

In an opposing light, the success and fame of international players like Stojakovic, Turkoglu, Divac, Nowitzki, Gasol, and Yao Ming have leant credibility to another technical style of basketball, which stresses fundamentals over high-flying dunk acts, and teamwork above the individual game. George Karl has said all along that this year's contingent of American players must play like a team in order to win. But to even admit that they should resort to an obsolete concept like "teamwork" is almost as insulting to teams like Yugoslavia, whose entire game is dependent on deft passes and shots created from designed plays, as it is complimentary to the values of the sport.

So the question still remains, do such teams have enough in their surprise bag of tricks to topple a U.S. team replete with a history of blitzkrieg successes? Or if you flip the coin, are the Americans simply toying with their competition in order to seem less like the merciless, rampaging powerhouse they have in days past when it was questioned, heck, even criticized to allow professional athletes to compete at such international venues?

Ubiquitous players like our friend Vlade Divac will preach, rather optimistically, that anything is possible, and with a near upset victory of the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals under his belt, he may well be the harbinger of good tidings for the pack of teams intent on overthrowing its dictator. However, history is more likely to repeat itself this year. And here are some good reasons why. There isn't a team in the World Championships that has the athletes to match the level of defensive intensity the Americans have displayed so far in the tournament. Their help defense is quick on the ball and the catalyst for their "poetry in motion" transition breaks. It is very difficult for any team to limit them to a halfcourt game when they are just as creative in obtaining the ball as they are in sinking it on the offensive end.

Their interior rebounding is impressive in strength and power with Wallace and Antonio Davis, and their big men run the court well and are unselfish enough to kick out to snipers like Reggie Miller. This inside outside presence almost forces a team to play up at the three-point line, which may work to slow things down if slashers like Finley, Baron Davis, and Marion elect to stay outside the arc, but this is highly unlikely. In other words, although the names may not resemble those on the NBA's 50 best player list, Team USA is balanced and led admirably by big time finishers like Paul Pierce.

So how can a team like Yugoslavia, the apparent heir in line to the throne of basketball pre-eminence, beat the USA? Ironically, with what is often called "fool's gold" in basketball language, or the long bomb. In order for
any team to beat the USA, they must be willing to sacrifice their bodies to defend their own territory, while sharpening their long-range 3-point targets. A rather stout Yugoslavian team seems willing to take this next
step and has the weapons in its arsenal to fire away. However, subpar performances will not cut it when it comes down to toppling Goliath, while losses to inferior teams like Puerto Rico bode not too well for a Yugoslavian team stacked with the very best their country has to offer. In order for them to have any chance, they need to force Team USA out of available lanes, and set them back on their heels with long rage shooting.

What's working to their advantage is that they couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to do so. Every player in the World Championships knows darn well that to beat Team USA means to be remembered forever as a hero. Why else would established international players like Divac attend the tournament after a long, grueling NBA playoff season if for no other reason than to achieve the notoriety of being on the first team to defeat Team
USA in the 21st century. Whether this year's U.S. selection is weaker than those of the past, or without stars, is insignificant. If you're a young boy growing up loving the sport of basketball, wherever it may be on the planet,
you associate the NBA with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or Larry Bird, a history of excellence in professional sports. For contenders like Yugoslavia, Spain, Germany, Argentina and even Puerto Rico, to defeat Team USA carries one distinction and one distinction only - The Next Dream Team.

Dean Serravalle is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com.

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