Nike Basketball News

The Commitment: Exhibition Tour

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:54 GMT

This summer, as members of Team USA prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, Nike has chosen to honor their dedication with a special tribute.

For those elite few who are chosen to represent their country, commitment is not just a choice.

It’s a way of life.

In honor of that commitment, Nike has created a gallery dedicated to Team USA, chronicling their journey from the Dream Team of 1992 to the present-day squad. The exhibit, entitled The Commitment, opened in New York City on July 10, giving the public a look at the history and future of USA Basketball.

Located in a refurbished branch of Harlem’s famous Training Camp sneaker boutique, the gallery space houses the legendary artifacts and apparel behind each Olympic team. On one wall, photos of the 1936 players. On another, the initial letter sent by Coach K to each member of the current team. And in the center, the kicks worn by Jordan and Barkley on the court in ’92. Artists’ tributes can be found throughout, paying homage to the greatest teams and players in Team USA history.

The gallery also chronicles today’s U.S. Olympic basketball movement, documenting past hardships and detailing the challenges ahead. Watching over the exhibit are two larger-than-life portraits, one of Kobe, the other of LeBron; a symbol of the two greatest players of a generation, overlooking the legacy they stand to inherit.

This summer, as Team USA takes the international stage, they’ll be joining the ranks of the most elite players the game has ever seen. They have the skills, the strength, and the dedication to win. But it’s only with true commitment to the game that they’ll bring home the gold.

The Commitment exhibition runs from July 10 through August 25. The exhibit is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm, and is located at 111 W. 116th St, between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.

All Team USA basketball games will also be projected at the gallery throughout the Olympic Games.

More on the Commitment
Get the exhibit on your iPhone »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio’s »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

Credits:

Black and White Documentary style images:
"Photography by Bruce Gilden."

Photographs on Backboards:
"Photography by Bill Bamberger. All photographs copyright Bill Bamberger, 2007 and 2008. All rights reserved."

Historic USAB photographs and current in-game photography:
"All Getty Images courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images and USAB."

Paintings of LeBron and Kobe:
Chris Young

Graphic T-shirts:
Hydro74

Writing:
Paradox Media

Blogging the Journey: Manu Ginobili

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:53 GMT

What’s at Stake: He’s going with a gold medal around his neck and the hopes of an entire country on his shoulders. Manu talks about what this year’s Games mean to him.

There was an unbelievable generation of basketball players in my city, back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, that really made people want to follow basketball. And my father was one of them. He’s always been very passionate about it and he runs a small club in my city where I always played. So I basically grew up playing basketball, dribbling a ball, being close to a basketball floor. That really helped me develop the passion for the game, and my brothers, too. The whole family was very hoops-oriented.

When we were kids growing up, I could’ve dreamed about playing on the national team, but the Argentina national team was never favored to make it to even the semi-finals. So if you told me ten years ago that I would have a gold medal in Athens, I would think it impossible.

The Olympics is about the pure sport, the passion of representing a country and all that carries. I take the NBA Championships as a huge accomplishment, but more on the professional side. I was representing a city I’d never been to before the NBA, which of course now I love, but representing your country, your colors, having 30 million people cheering for you, it’s a whole different ball game.

The biggest expectation this summer is to enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Athens. That was my first Olympics, and especially since we won the gold, the whole experience was unbelievable. So I’m going to enjoy the environment, being in that huge party that is the Olympics, and go for the gold again. It’s going to be a great challenge.

More on Manu
Read his Bio »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Blogs »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

The Competition: Dirk Nowitzki

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:53 GMT

Dirk Nowitzki fought to put German basketball on the map. This year, he’s fighting for something else: the chance to put his team at the top of the winner’s podium.

Dirk Nowitzki is the standard by which all German players are measured. He’s revolutionized the role of the big man, with power on the inside and the magic touch from way outside. He’s reached heights in basketball that few players, German or otherwise, have attained. But for all of the success he’s had professionally, he’s yet to get his hands on international gold.

As a teen, Dirk developed his game in relative obscurity, playing for the German ball club DJK Wurzburg. Over the next few years, he became a young star on the team, winning the German Basketballer of the Year award. He had a big year in 1996 when he headlined the German Under-22 National Team, German National Junior Team, European Junior Select Team and the World Junior Team.

He later participated in several Nike tournaments and exhibitions, putting his talents on display for colleges and scouts for the first time. Dirk got the opportunity to go one-on-one with the legendary Charles Barkley, dunking over the top of the future Hall of Famer. His Nike Hoops Summit performance sent a buzz through universities and pro teams across Europe and in the U.S.

Soon, against all odds, this determined young German found himself joining the ranks of the NBA.

His rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks was a difficult one, as he battled against veteran players in a new arena. But each summer, determined as always, he continued to develop his skills in the German league. He made his senior national team debut at the FIBA European championships in 1999, leading the team in scoring and cementing his place as the team’s star. But even with his amazing game, Germany faltered and missed out on qualifying for the 2000 Summer Games.

After bringing his NBA averages up to 23.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, Dirk’s persistence began to pay off for the Germans at the 2002 World Championships. Behind his 24 points per game, he led the tournament in scoring, taking home the MVP award and the bronze medal. But for Dirk, third place wasn’t enough. And two years later, he would again miss his shot at the gold, hampered by a foot injury in Germany’s qualifying campaign for the 2004 Summer Games.

Now, four years later, Germany is fighting for another chance. They still face a tough battle in Athens this summer against Greece, Croatia, Puerto Rico and Brazil for the remaining spots in Beijing.

He’s broken franchise records, earned All-Star appearances and become the first European-born player to win the MVP award. Dirk has single-handedly blazed the trail for German and European players in the NBA. Yet, for all his professional success, he hasn’t yet led Germany to the gold.

In the prime of his career, he has the power to change that fact. The time is now.

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio’s »
Check out the Olympic Histories »

Blogging the Journey #3: Coach K

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:52 GMT

At the Starting Line: As the moment of truth approaches, Coach K writes about the heroes who inspire him to reach for the stars.

On my way out to Las Vegas for the first meeting and practice of our Olympic team, I was fortunate to be able to make a pretty amazing pit stop. My wife, daughter, and I stopped through Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where my old friend and West Point player, General Bob Brown, picked us up from the airport. Bob and I have remained very close over the years and I have followed his Army career the same way he has followed mine in coaching.

In the summer of 2006, my first summer as the National Coach, then-Colonel Brown came out to Las Vegas with three wounded heroes and addressed our team. His theme was selfless service. It was the best possible way our team could have kicked off our three-year commitment together. I did not yet know back then who my team was – this was our first opportunity to get acquainted with one another. But when I saw their reactions to General Brown and the soldiers, I knew this was a team I wanted to coach. I knew they had heart.

One thing I am always asked about with regard to being the National Coach and coming to compete in the Olympics is about pressure. How are we handling the pressure? Will we live up to the pressure? How is the pressure affecting us? When I addressed the troops at Fort Leavenworth, it gave me a humbling sense of perspective. I believe that what we are doing is important, trying to reclaim the game of basketball for our country. It is a form of selfless service. But what we are doing is nowhere near as important of what our service men and women do every day. We are playing basketball. They are protecting our right to do that.

What happened that afternoon was mutual motivation. Talking to them about serving the United States helped give meaning to our endeavor. The thing we do share with our country’s soldiers is who we represent. We share a love of country and a commitment to represent the United States with honor and extreme pride. Whatever I was able to give them in the form of inspiration, I am honored to have been able to do that. Whatever connection they feel with our Olympic team as we pursue the gold in Beijing, that is an honor to all of us. But we cannot repay them for the service that they do for our entire nation, a service that often goes thankless.

We are all patriotic, but the soldiers are the true patriots. With the Olympics about to begin, we can only hope to make Bob Brown and the rest of our soldiers proud as we embark on our respective missions. We all want to come home winners.

More on Coach K
Read his Bio »

More on Team USA
Watch The Road to Redemption »
See all Team USA Blogs »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

Blogging the Journey #4: Coach K

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:51 GMT

Ready to Win: After three long years, Team USA's dedication is finally getting put to the test. Coach K talks strategy, and why his team is ready to take home the gold.

Finally, Olympic competition has begun and it is time to discover if we have done what is necessary to close the deal, to achieve our ultimate goal. Now we see if we have prepared properly and made ourselves worthy of winning. As I look back over the three-year process, this past month of training in particular, I feel good about where we are and confident that we have readied ourselves in the best way possible.

A key part of our time together has been the establishment of relationships. Our guys now know who each other are both on and off the court and have developed the type of friendships that foster communication and trust. We will need to rely on those relationships in the heat of on-court battle. We need to respond to one another at a moment’s notice, no questions asked. This type of trust doesn’t come about naturally. It takes time. Thanks to the new program for USA Basketball, we’ve had that time.

Another major part of our training has been becoming adept at the international game. In our training camp we worked with international officials and had them officiate our inter-squad scrimmages and those versus the Select Team. This allowed us to ensure that we could play the international game at game speed, not just in theory. We were able to further establish these habits in our five exhibition games.

Now we are putting our relationships and training to the test in Olympic competition. I couldn’t be more excited.

More on Coach K
Read his Bio »

More on Team USA
Watch The Road to Redemption »
See all Team USA Blogs »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

This Is Our Team: Coach K

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:50 GMT

The best coach in the game has been tasked with architecting the greatest comeback in history. But it will take more than just great players to get the gold.

It was a humbling moment. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, the man many people would argue is the greatest coach in the game, a man armed with so many of the world’s greatest players, watched as Spain took the winner stand at the 2006 World Championships. Lightning struck twice for Team USA and they fell once again on the national stage. When he took over as head coach of the national team in 2005, it wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Coach K has a record of success that is unrivaled by any other coach in college basketball history. In addition to his 800 wins, three national titles and countless awards at the college level, he was the head coach of the 1990 US national team that took bronze in the world championship and an assistant coach on the original Dream Team. He has seen the U.S. at its absolute best and knew what it would take to get back there.

Though his first time out with the team resulted in a loss he looked at the 2006 World Championships as the starting point, not the finish, of his work with USA Basketball. When he was named Head Coach, Coach K had a three-year mission that would culminate at the 2008 Olympics: restore Team USA to its previous greatness. Not another Dream Team. An entirely new era of basketball.

"That's in the past, and that was beautiful," said Krzyzewski. "You want another one, you have to go out and create something special of your own. We are the U.S. national team. What we want to be called is not a 'Dream Team.' We want to be called a 'championship team.' The other one will not happen again."

The first step on the road back to the top was at the 2007 FIBA Americas tournament, the qualifying competition for the 2008 summer games. Coach K, a firm believer in the fundamental game, focused on the foundation, selection the best men for the job. This was the first tournament where Coach K had the opportunity to actively participate in the selection process. Previous years the team was a collection of the individual players in the NBA, not necessarily a hand-picked arsenal of the strongest players for the twelve spots.

"They have guys that have played together 10-12 years. The talent level has gotten so much closer that with that continuity they have the advantage" Coach K said of the competition.

With the inclusion of defensive specialist Tayshaun Prince and marksman Michael Redd, Coach K showed his dedication to assembling a well-balanced squad. And once the roster was created it would take dedication, sacrifice and teamwork to build the on-court chemistry needed to win. Superstars, like Kobe Bryant, were on the same page from day 1.

"He is everything I thought he would be and more. I have been excited and waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Playing for him now, you realize why he is such a great coach. He communicates extremely well with his players. He’s very intense and has a passion for what he does and he has a great sense of humor," said Kobe.

After spending their summer in Vegas in and intense team-building camp all their hard wok paid off during the FIBA Americas tournament, with the new and improved Team USA marching through all comers to the gold. Compiling an undefeated record they got their revenge over Puerto Rico, a team that delivered a crushing 19 point defeat in 2004, and the reigning world champs Argentina.

Coach K is now focused on getting prepared for this summer's training camp and then finalizing his roster by July 20th. If all goes according to his master plan, Coach K will be right back to where he was the last time he was at the Summer Games: watching his players wear gold around their necks.

"I want to make sure we finish this process off right and win the gold medal," Krzyzewski said.

More on Coach K
Read Coach K’s blog »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio’s »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

Marvin Gaye Brings Soul to the American Game

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:48 GMT

As the new Team USA looks forward to claiming victory in Beijing, Coach K looks back twenty-five years for new inspiration from our national anthem.

The Star Spangled Banner is played before every game to inspire the players and the fans to greatness. Coach K took a moment out of practice to share a version of the song with his players that, in its own right, made sports history.

Performed for the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, Marvin Gaye’s remix captured the passion of 80s soul, mixed it with some old fashioned patriotism and created a timeless classic.

And like Marvin and the Dream Team before them, this year's Team USA intends to put on a show that will forever go down as one the greatest performances in the history of the sport.

To show support for the men that will represent us in Beijing, Nike Basketball brings Marvin, LeBron, Kobe, J-Kidd and the rest of the team together to pay homage to basketball, America's game.

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio's »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

This Is Our Team: Deron Williams

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:45 GMT

As Jason Kidd makes his heroic return as floor general, the future of Team USA’s point guard position belongs to Deron Williams.

Jason Kidd has long been the standard for leadership on the court, considered one of the greatest point guards in history. And under his leadership Team USA has never failed. From his first appearance as a pro in 2000 to his amazing display at the FIBA Americas tournament in 2007, he has racked up an undefeated record. But last summer he found great support in a young point guard from Utah, who is, perhaps the only player that could ever fill his shoes and carry the torch.

Deron Williams is widely considered to be one of the most promising point guards to hit the league in years. In his three years in college he led his team in scoring, led them to a near undefeated season his junior year, and took them to the national championships in 2005. In his first three years in the pros he has helped return Utah to the top of the Western Conference. And it was his physical presence and maturity that turned heads in the Team USA training camp last summer in Vegas. People were amazed that such a young player could play with such poise and power.

"Deron just came along so fast," Chris Bosh said about Williams' development. "He can shoot the ball well, he's big, he's physical, he's quick, he can run an offense and he's unselfish."

Praise like that from a legend like Kidd and from the fans and critics across the country could have easily gone to hiss head, but his determination to be the best in the game has kept him humble, focused and hard working. Playing behind Kidd, Williams got to study and learn from one of the best point guards of all time.

“Jason's a guy that I grew up trying to emulate, trying to be like as a kid," said Williams. "Anything he sees that I'm doing wrong or I could do differently. Whether it's something simple as, you know, I made a chest pass today when I should have made a bounce pass. He came over and told me 'Drop it down low. There's not as many hands to get through.' He's just helping me out."

Deron took the Team USA experience in 2007 and used it to make his game even stronger on the professional level. In the 2007-2008 season, Williams set career highs in both scoring (18.8 ppg) and assists (10.5 apg), while leading Utah to a 54–28 record in the regular season and finishing third in the league in assists. His superb individual play and his ability to make his teammates better helped take Utah deep into the playoffs for the second year in a row, but he still sees room for improvement.

"You can always learn," Williams said. "You can always improve. You can always get better. You just gotta stay hungry to do that. I think there's a lot of maturing I can do as far as being a leader on my team."

After this season's performance and the upcoming USAB training camp the world will be waiting to see what Deron has in store.

"He has all the tools to be one of the top point guards," Kidd said, "if not the top point guard, when it's all said and done."

More on Deron
Read Deron’s blog »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio’s »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

Blogging the Journey: Pau Gasol

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:43 GMT

What’s at Stake: As Pau prepares to lead Spain against some of the world's toughest athletes, he looks back at his greatest inspirations and forward to his greatest challenges.

I guess it goes back to my dad, when I was growing up as a little kid. Me and my mom went to watch him play in a veteran team. I guess that's when I started getting interested in basketball. I wanted to play and imitate my dad. My mom used to play but I never watched her because she got pregnant and had to quit. I guess that's where I started and developed a good ability and passion for it.

I guess I just had more fun playing than I had playing soccer or doing any other sport. I felt I had better skills to play basketball, even though I was very skinny and lanky and tall at the time. Since I was 16 of 17 years old I was always very skinny. So, I guess I always had a better passion, stronger passion for playing basketball than soccer. I also enjoyed playing soccer but everyone was so small and so quick and even though I defended myself pretty well it just wasn't my sport.

I have some flashes and moments when I watched the NBA on TV in Spain. I don't remember much, I just remember watching it and just thinking it was a totally different level, totally different world in the NBA. So far out of reach of anybody in Europe. There weren't many Europeans at the time.

The Olympics is a great event to be in. It's an event that you can see all the sports in the world and all the athletes in the world at the highest level. So it's always an honor to be a part of it and defending your country in it. It's a big honor. I personally take a lot of pride being with my national team and trying to get medals and success for my country. So I'm definitely looking forward to it.

The Olympics and any international competition is going to be always very tough and teams compete hard. You never know who's going to be out there but always you know the United States is always a candidate to be the champion of the tournament. Argentina is always a tough team to play against. You know, they've always been up there. They already got the Olympic gold medal last time in Athens so we got to respect them a lot. They know how to play and they play tough. And then Russia, Lithuania, Greece, those teams are always very though. You never know. They put a good team together and they're hard to beat. I think those teams are going to be up there.

I always consider myself a competitor and winner. I love to win and hate losing. I don't handle it very well. It’s definitely like someone is stabbing me every time I lose a game. That's what pushes me through everyday. And also the fact that I want to prove that I'm one of the top elite players in the world. I have a whole country behind me that is supporting me and cheering for me and believing in me. So that's also a big plus and motivation.

More on Pau
Read his Bio »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Blogs »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

The Commitment: Mobile Gallery

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:42 GMT

The Commitment exhibit tells the Team USA history at a gallery in Harlem, NYC and on iPhone and iPod Touch devices around the world.

The exhibit, entitled The Commitment, opened in New York City on July 10, giving the public a look at the amazing history and bright future of USA Basketball. For those who can't make it to the exhibit in Harlem, the experience comes directly to iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

United We Rise features the athletes, the stories and the products that continue to support America's legacy of greatness on the hardwood.

The history of Team USA is covered in 5 chapters, describing their early days as the undefeated legends of the game, the controversial years battling Russia, the Dream Team's era of supremacy, America's tragic fall from grace and their commitment to once again be the best.

The digital photo gallery showcases images from Team USA's training camps, while the athlete profiles give up-to-the-minute stats and facts about the men and women of our national team. The key international competition is also introduced, as well as the full range of Hyperdunks and Zoom Soldier IIs, including international team colorways/player exclusives, product details and alternate views.

A schedule of all games is also available to view anytime, any place.

Visit http://mobile.nikebasketball.com on the iPhone/iPod Touch to view.

The Commitment exhibition runs from July 10 through August 25. The exhibit is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm, and is located at 111 W. 116th St, between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.

All Team USA basketball games will also be projected at the gallery throughout the Olympic Games.

More on the Commitment
Tour the exhibit »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio’s »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

This Is Our Team: LeBron James

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:40 GMT

At 23, LeBron has led Team USA into international battle twice. Now, with a team of dedicated veterans and superstars, his third time could be the charm.

Before LeBron James ever stepped foot on the professional hardwood, he was being called the future of the game. He was a young phenom from Akron, a baller that could play all five positions, who easily made the transition from high school to the pros. In his very first season, he lived up to all the hype, instantly becoming king of the court.

Right after his first season, LeBron got an offer he couldn't refuse: a spot on the 2004 U.S. National Team. It was supposed to be guaranteed gold for a country that had never lost with professional players, and a perfect way to introduce him to the world.

At the Summer Games in Athens, LeBron knew he wouldn’t play major minutes because of his rookie status. But it wasn't easy to sit by and watch his team fall, while he only saw 14 minutes of action a game. It was a painful learning experience for LeBron, and an even more painful defeat for the country. History had been made and Team USA's image would forever be scarred.

"I had no idea what I was getting into," LeBron said. "Everything on the court I did not expect, but I think I'd do it again.”

Two years later, after establishing himself further as one of league's best, LeBron was made a tri-captain. He was looking toward the 2006 World Championships to redeem the country’s historic loss in Athens. Confident, and stacked with the NBA's biggest names, Team USA headed to Japan with revenge in mind.

But it wouldn’t get any better in 2006.

He led Team USA to eight straight victories at the World Championships, averaging 13.9 points per game. But in the semis, they lost to Greece – and had to settle for another bronze medal. It was a crushing loss that only left more questions about the team’s ability to play as a unit. But LeBron knew there were positives the team could build on.

“But we've gotten better and come together and become a family,” he said after the loss to Greece. “We just need to keep driving and getting better, and loving FIBA basketball because it's great. It's been good to us.”

He returned to the NBA, carrying Cleveland on his back for a magical run to the 2006-07 finals. His epic 48-point explosion in the conference finals was considered one of the best playoff performances of all time. And though he had an extraordinary season and posted record-breaking numbers, the championship trophy was just out of reach.

His next shot at redemption came last summer at the 2007 FIBA Americas tournament. He knew that to overcome past failures, he needed to make sure the team chemistry was just right.

“I always try to include all my teammates in every play. The chemistry that we have is also helpful, we’re a lot more confident now. In this team, it’s about all of us participating and making it as high as we can go,” said LeBron. “Scoring points is not important, what’s important is playing well and winning.”

With veteran teammates like Kobe and Jason Kidd, LeBron stepped up to earn his victory. In just over 22 minutes of play per tournament game, LeBron averaged over 18 points apiece. And when the team needed an extra push, he came through with a monster 31 points in the finals game against Argentina. With the gold medal, Team USA secured a spot in the 2008 Summer Games.

After a rough start to his international career, LeBron is facing another chance to capture the top prize. And following a record-breaking 2007-08 season and spectacular play in the playoffs, he's not settling for anything less than gold.

More on LeBron
Learn his Signature Moves »

More on Team USA
See all Team USA Bio’s »
Check out the Olympic Histories »
Meet the Competition »

This Is Our Game: Commitment

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:36 GMT

This is our story. The story of us as a country, played on a court and erected on a podium. The journey of us told on the hallowed courts of the 1920’s New York and Boston, the 1930’s Chicago and Detroit. The tale of our pride echoed from the past, lifted off concrete, written on hardwood, and inscribed on the floors around the world. The travels of our dreams follow us: from Barcelona to London, Atlanta to Sydney. The journey of Team USA means more to us, because it’s the game America created, and it’s America’s job to show the world how we play it.

This is our game.

Their sweat is our sweat, their dreams are our dreams. Their pain is felt in the hearts of fans across this nation, the millions who support the passion, the pride, and the ferocity with which we will stake our claim.

This is our legacy.

We give remembrance to the teams of our past. We honor those who paved the way before us. Their stories lie at our feet. Because in the hearts of those players, our desires were born. Our dreams came from those who wore the uniform first. This is the legacy that will never end, given to us so that we can take it to a new level: a level unseen.

Together, we triumph.

This is all a part of the journey we take together. We recognize the difficulty of the road behind us and the opportunity of the journey in front of us. We will go higher. Above the rest. Beyond what anyone says is possible. Because the greatest moments in history still lie in our future.

As a planet, we offer the game as a gift for the world to enjoy.

But together, we will make sure the world knows this one vital, important fact about the United States of America: No one balls like we do.

More on Team USA
Meet the men on this year's Team USA »
Meet the women on this year's Team USA »

Blogging the Journey #1: Deron Williams

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:35 GMT

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.

The Competition: Andrei Kirilenko

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:31 GMT

When the Soviet Union collapsed, its basketball team went with it. But now, seventeen years later, Andrei Kirilenko is leading the Russian revival.

For decades, the U.S.S.R. posed a major threat to the United States, both on and off the court. It was a rivalry full of controversy (’72), boycotts (’80 and ’84) and hard-fought games all around. But when the Iron Curtain came down in the early ’90s, the Soviet Empire broke apart, putting an abrupt end to Russia’s glory days in basketball.

From the ashes of Communism arose a new Russian team, assembled with the hope of rekindling former glory. But it soon became clear that they were a mere shadow of the 1972 and 1988 gold medal teams, even failing to qualify for the Games in '92 and '96. They showed a glimmer of promise during the '94 and '98 FIBA World Championships, coming home with the silver – but again, they struggled to stage a comeback, finishing 8th at the 2000 Games and missing out on the 2004 altogether.

Recently, however, Russia has experienced a revival. Led by Andrei Kirilenko, known as AK-47, the 2007 Russian National Team beat defending world champs Spain by just one point, winning the Eurobasket tournament in the most dramatic way possible. Kirilenko’s stifling defense shut down the top offensive players across all opposing teams, earning him the MVP award.

The mighty Russia was back.

After dominating the Russian leagues and European tournaments, Andrei was picked up by Utah in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft. At just 18 years and four months, he was the youngest European player ever drafted. Since joining the Jazz, he‘s made the All-Rookie team, three consecutive All-Defensive teams, and has been an All-Star.

During this year's playoffs, Andrei went head-to-head with the Lakers in a six-game war for the West. His defense was the key to containing Kobe, giving the Jazz an opportunity to win two clutch home court games. And though they couldn’t pull out the victory and move to the Finals, Kirilenko proved himself against the man commonly known as the best player in the world.

It’s been 20 years since his national team tasted gold at the Summer Games. This summer, AK-47 will have a chance to square off once again with the world's best. The Russian basketball renaissance is finally underway – and Kirilenko is leading the charge.

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This Is Our Team: Kobe Bryant

nikebasketball_en_SG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:29 GMT

Kobe Bryant has been working his entire life for an opportunity like this. Is he the missing link between Team USA and the gold?

In 1992, the world watched as the Dream Team changed the game forever. Boys across America dreamed of greatness, to one day join the ranks of the greatest players in history. Those boys spent every waking moment on courts, the Dream Team in their thoughts, working to be the best.

Kobe was one of those kids.

In 1996, he announced his eligibility and was snatched up by Los Angeles. In his first season, he had the honor of playing against the legendary players from Dream Team 2, returning to the league from their complete domination at the games in Atlanta.

Over the course of the next few years, Kobe dedicated himself to the game entirely, becoming the strongest young shooting guard in the league, a go-to scorer for his team and a major defensive threat. The 2000 season brought Kobe his first championship ring, his second All-Star appearance as a starter, a spot on the All-NBA 2nd team and a top slot on the All-Defensive team. And as the 2000 U.S. national team came home with gold, many fans and critics were surprised he wasn't a part of it.

In the following seasons, Kobe elevated LA to the top of the league and led them to two consecutive championship rings. He was officially one of the league's best.

Then, Team USA experienced a fall that shook the basketball world to its foundations. The national team suffered three hard losses at the Summer Games in Greece, including a 19-point defeat to Puerto Rico.

During that time, Kobe was playing his best basketball yet. With his mind-blowing 81-point game against Toronto, another All-Star appearance, the scoring championship, the All-NBA team, and the All-NBA Defensive team, he drew the attention of USA Basketball. But due to knee surgery, he was forced to miss his first taste of the international game at the 2006 World Championships.

Team USA, lacking the chemistry, passion and dedication, fell to Greece and took home bronze.

Later that year, Kobe got a second chance. Joining the ranks of a hand-selected squad of NBA greats, he threw himself full-force into their practices. Last summer, he got the chance to represent at the 2007 FIBA Americas tournament in Vegas, a qualifying tournament for Beijing.

Team USA's head coach Mike Krzyzewski said, “In Kobe we have a great player who wants to represent his country as much as anybody and he's never had a chance. He's like a little kid in his enthusiasm to play. Kobe's presence here makes us more complete."

Against Argentina – the gold medal winners in 2004 – Kobe exploded for 27 points in a 91-76 win. For the tournament, he averaged over 15 points a game, shot 46% from 3-pt range and provided the leadership crucial to a team with so many superstars.

"We're out there to win a gold medal, so each of us is going to do whatever we have to do," Bryant said. "Winning a gold medal is at the top of the list for me."

And since last summer, Kobe has elevated his game to yet another plateau. He took a trip to New Orleans for an All-Star start, brought home the league MVP award, led his team to the best record in the Western Conference, and has positioned his team to win yet another championship.

And after a historic season like this one, there's only one thing left for Kobe to do. He knows the hopes a nation rest on his shoulders – and he has never been more ready. He's taking the international court for the first time in Beijing and taking back the basketball gold medal. He's been waiting his entire life for a year like this. Team USA has been waiting for the Black Mamba.

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