Much Younger U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Dream Team

Adding some of the United States’ top young talents, the U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Dream Team VI hopes to win its fourth gold medal in the Athens 2004 Olympics.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) on July 9 (Korean time) announced its final roster for the 2004 U.S.A. Basketball men’s national team, consisting mainly of NBA standouts. The 12 players named to the U.S.A. Team include top young talent such as LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), 2004 Rookie of the Year; Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Emeka Okafor (Charlotte Bobcats), second pick in the 2004 NBA Rookie draft; Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Lamar Odom (Miami Heat). In addition, NBA top stars including Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs), the NBA’s 2002 Most Valuable Player, and Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers), the NBA’s 2001 MVP, were also named.

The team’s average age is 23.6 years old, the youngest team among the four Olympic teams comprised of NBA players since the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Larry Brown, who recently led the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship, is head coach of the 2004 U.S.A. National Basketball team.

Out of 15 Olympics, the United States Men`s Olympic team won gold in 12 of these and in the process, upped its overall win-loss record in Olympic play to an astounding 109-2. The so-called U.S. Dream Team, which made its first debut in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, had been renowned for its winning streak in the Olympics. However, it is hoping to regain its reputation as an unbeatable team since it ended its 58-game winning streak in the 2002 World Championship, finishing in sixth place following Argentina, Yugoslavia, and Spain.

Since former U.S.A. national team members including Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets), the NBA scoring champion; Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Karl Malone (L.A. Lakers); and Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings) have refused to join the 2004 team citing injuries, personal problems, and possible terrorist’s treat as the main reasons, the team is expected to face an uphill battle in winning the next Olympic gold medal.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com