It’s gold or failure (fair or not) for the U.S. Men’s basketball team with two games left to win

SCOTT JACOBS

So far, so good. But good isn’t good enough for the Redeem Team which has two final conquests left before they can put those gold medals around their neck. Beating China, Angola, Germany, and Australia was nice. Destroying Dirk and the Germans in a game that had no meaning was a nice little statement. Emasculating the Aussies in a convincing way didn’t hurt either. But the room for error is small, and Team U.S.A. simply cannot afford to sit back and pat themselves on the back for so far blowing away the tournament field.  It’s a win against Argentina and one more against whoever is left or it’s bust.

“Nobody is going to beat them. No way, it’s just not going to happen,” said (American born) German center Chris Kaman after the Americans slaughtered his over-matched German team.

There in lies the trap. The trap of invincibility.

It’s clear. Like Tiger Woods in a major, no one beats the U.S. unless they beat themselves. No one will beat the Redeem Team unless they over-look their opponent. No one will touch the U.S. if they play their game. But if they sit back, and just expect other teams to hand them the gold, their little mini-dynasty this 29th Olympiad will turn to ashes. The great teams have their off days. Look no further then the untouchable U.S. Women’s Softball team which lost in the final to Japan 3-1, stunningly ending an incredible 22 game Olympic win streak. Like the bumper sticker says, &*$# happens. Nothing is handed to you.

The U.S. can’t afford to play great and showboat down the finish like Jamaica’s unbelievable freak of an athlete Usain Bolt did when he shattered the field in a runaway record setting 100 meter win. They need to do what Bolt did in the 200 meters: run their heart out and not stop until the finish line. For the U.S. that finish line is close. They are the superior team in Beijing. They know it.

But now they have to show it.

They’ve said all the right things. Everyone wants them to say, “it’s a lock.” People are looking for predictions, bold statements, but the U.S. keeps churning out that phrase, “it’s not over.”

They’re right. It’s not.

But it’s there’s to lose.

The U.S. has on their bench a team that could start for other countries. They have the best player in the world in Kobe Bryant, and the one and only LeBron James. They feature a hungry Dwyane Wade, who is looking to prove everyone that not only is healthy again, but he’s great. So far so good.

For the U.S. everything is going according to plan.

For the Americans to leave Beijing happy they have to stick to their guns, and keep that pedal to the medal, and run those last two countries they play into the ground.

No one doubts they can do it. The majority think they will.

Now it’s time to prove them right.

Gold, not Bronze boys, is the only thing that will be accepted. Excuses won’t be tolerated.

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