Blogging the Journey #1: Deron Williams

What’s at Stake: This week, Deron writes about the goals, sacrifices, and ultimate challenges of the 2008 National Men’s Team.

The Dream Team was probably the best team ever assembled on one court. Those guys were legends. Growing up, they were who you looked up to and tried to emulate. Just watching that was special, and it made Americans proud to be Americans.

I think it is time to get USA Basketball back to the top where it belongs. You know, I think we have the best team out of anybody by far. It is just a matter of us going out there and competing together and playing together and getting it done.

Guys on the team are super competitive, but we did a good job last year on the team that won the FIBA Championships in Vegas. I thought we did a great job of gelling early, guys were focused, guys were unselfish. And I think that was a big key for us is how unselfish guys were, because we have a lot of scorers on the team. Some people had to sacrifice their scoring for the greater good, and I think guys did a good job of that.

Everybody helped. Everybody played defense, which was one of our stronger points. That is what we are going to need if we want to win over there, to compete against teams that have been playing together for ten or twelve years.

For me, I am definitely honored and I feel privileged to have a chance to compete for a gold medal and represent my country. I feel I can help this team. But at the same time, I have been told that I am the future, part of the future of USA basketball. So I am patient and I am taking my time, just trying to go in there and win. I know I am still young and whether I get to play five minutes or 30 minutes, I am going to be there.

This year, anything less than gold will be disappointing. Everybody involved with USA feels that way. All the players on the team feel that way, and I am sure the fans feel that way. But every day, guys are bringing it. Everybody’s mind is on that gold medal. And I just really, really look forward to it.

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