You can't blame this year's installment of the "Dream Team" for trying.
Amidst all of the finger-pointing in the wake the team's bronze medal performance in Athens, the twelve athletes that made the trip to represent their country should not hang their heads.
Of course, the combination of many top stars being reluctant to give away their summer, along with the selection committee's ignorance to the differences in the international game, call into question whether the right group of players made the trip. In a competition where outside shooting and unselfish play were at a premium, this collection of individuals accustomed to a great share of the minutes and shots might have been the wrong team from the start.
Dwyane Wade, while not a terrific shooter, exemplified what Team USA needed out of its point guard. His unselfish play and ability to penetrate stood out over Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury's more traditional, NBA-esque "shoot first, pass second" style.
The selection committee also came up short by sending just Tim Duncan and Carlos Boozer to man the inside. While Duncan tried, he could never adjust to international rules, and was regularly frustrated by early foul trouble. This left only Boozer, and under-sized backups Lamar Odom and Shawn Marion, to battle it out underneath the glass.
Among the younger players suiting up for Team USA were LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. While both showed signs of life when they had the opportunity on the court, the bigger story was that each was treated to extended time on the bench, something that Anthony spoke out against.
This year's number one draft pick, Emeka Okafor, was the token Christian Laettner of this year's roster. He played only 14 minutes in the tournament, and his roster spot could have been used more productively.
Foreign-born NBA stars who played for the competition and were more accustomed to the international game also contributed to the American team's downfall. Point guard Carlos Arroyo of the Utah Jazz played a key role in Puerto Rico's preliminary upset of the United States, and it was Manu Ginobili's stellar play in Argentina's semifinal triumph that ended the United States hope of winning gold.
While many of the players' shortcomings could have been predicted going into Athens, the players themselves cannot be blamed, as they played basketball the only way they knew how. Up against tougher international competition with rules not tailored to their game, the deck was stacked against the Americans from the start.
