This Is Our Team: Sue Bird

In 2004, Sue Bird was just happy to be on the team. In 2008, she'll be
the starting point guard, shouldering big expectations and even bigger
dreams.

For Sue Bird, returning to Team USA in 2008 is like coming back to her
home team. Between college ball, the previous Games, and her overseas
experience, Sue knows her teammates well - and knows they've got the
chemistry to win.

For the past two years, after the end of her season in Seattle, Sue has
headed over to play in the Russian league. On her team abroad, she's
played with Beijing-bound Diana Taurasi and Tina Thompson, cooking up
the skills necessary to dominate the Summer Games. And Sue's
relationship with Taurasi even pre-dates their professional play; the
two of them have been bringing home championships since they were
teammates at UCONN.

"For us, the good thing about USA Basketball is because we've had so
many training camps over the years, we all know each other," says Bird.
"We've all played either with each other or know each other from
playing against each other in the WNBA. We have all played together
before and it won't take us long to get back into it."

That team chemistry was evident the first time Sue Bird joined Team
USA. Playing in the Athens Summer Games in 2004, the U.S. Women's Team
didn't lose a single game on their way to winning the gold. And the
team that helped achieve the ultimate victory - players like Lisa
Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Katie Smith and Tina Thompson - will be joining
Sue again this year in Beijing, ready to do it all over again.

But things have changed since 2004. This time around, the U.S. doesn't
come into the tournament with the same air of invincibility it had in
Athens. Back in 2006, Russia beat down the U.S. Women's Team on their
way to winning the World Championships, and Team USA finds itself
fighting for redemption this year in Beijing.

"I'm really looking forward to not only that challenge but looking back
at the World Championship our loss has stuck with everyone," admits
Bird. "I think we have a lot to prove and I'm glad I can be a part of
that and play a bigger role."

And in 2008, she'll definitely have a bigger role to play. She might've
been the youngest team member back in Athens, but this time around,
she'll be coming to the team as the starting point guard, with a lot
more expected of her.

But as one of only six women ever to win a gold medal, an NCAA
championship, and a WNBA Championship, Sue has proven she's a natural
winner. And this year, she'll get a chance to prove that again - with
her old teammates by her side.

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