Can be found at
http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0904/1427436.htm
An excerpt:
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Dream Team is dead. The ghost of Larry Bird has left
the building. And the nightmare for Team USA has just begun.
Don't cry for Team USA. The truth is Argentina not only beat America
Wednesday night, they took the formerly unbeaten NBA-powered national
team to school.
America lost more than a game. The air of invincibility now is completely
gone. The King is dead and international basketball will never be the same.
"We have given hope to many teams," Emmanuel Ginobili said. "The U.S. is
no longer the best in the world. . . I think they are not happy for sure.
"
Wow. Talk about your hyperbole. "The nightmare" is just beginning?
Because of one game? I love how people can see a trend after only one
game. By definition, that's not even possible.
(And, of course, the requisite "Evita" reference. Truly predictable.)
Meanwhile, if anyone is going to be laughed at, it ought to be Emmanuel
Ginobili. Because if he really thinks that the "U.S. is no longer the
best in the world" then he's got more than one screw loose. It's one game.
Sure, the Argentines were better that game, but let's at least wait for
the tournament to be over before pronouncing the victor.
This isn't some sort of death knell for USA basketball.
Yes and Emmanuel Ginobili name will ring out from history books to our
schoolchildren as the slayer of the once mighty U.S.A. !! >Sarcasm off< I
salute the Argentinians for the win but also suggest they savor it as I
don't see it happening on a regular basis , our best or not. I think it is
probably a good thing in some ways as we respond to getting our ass kicked
pretty well. My son jokingly said at least we didn't lose to Canada.
(Sorry Cecil !!) Seriously a good humbling experience can be good for the
soul. I think part of the problem is that most Americans (At least the ones
I speak to) don't hold these World Championships in as high regard as the
rest of the world. Myself included. Yes I watch every televised game but I
watch every developmental game as well. I like hoops is all. To me the
World Championships occur each June with hopefully the 2 best teams
slugging it out. Yup I am the epitome of the ugly Merikan that thinks we
are the best at everything except Olympic Hockey !! That is why this
jingoistic son of the U.S.A. finds it ironic that he treats these games
like the exhibition season. Yes I want us to win and truth be told expect
it but I wouldn't lose a wink if we didn't. Sad but true. Oh well hopefully
this will be a wakeup call to play team ball instead of auditioning for
ESPN's Plays of the Day. We shall see. Later.Mike