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Blogging the Journey: Coach K

sanampetri — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:52:20 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.

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Blogging the Journey: Coach K

sanampetri — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:00:23 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.

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Blogging the Journey: Sue Bird

sanampetri — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:37:30 GMT

The First Tip-Off: As the Games get underway, Sue talks about the challenges that lie ahead.

Training camp just started this week and everyone’s really excited to be here. Even though it’s the first time all of us are together at the same time, we all know each other really well, so it’s just like old friends getting back together.

As for the camp itself, it’s just a little bit of a refresher course. Just re-leaning all the plays and getting used to each other again.

Overall, I’m excited for getting to Beijing and playing a lot of these teams. Especially against the countries that beat us in the past, there's definitely some extra motivation there. Each team has a different style, and with each team comes a new challenge.

But in the upcoming weeks, the main thing we have to focus on isn’t our opponents really, but ourselves. That probably comes across as selfish, or that we underestimate our opponent, but because we haven’t had a lot of training time, we definitely just need to stay focused. We are talented enough to where, if we take care of ourselves and just play our game, we can beat a lot of these teams.

I remember the Olympics in 2004, back when I was the third point guard on the team. My role was different then. I was there if needed, but it was more trying to gain the experience by watching veterans first-hand. It was about learning the ropes, so I could kind of take the reigns when need be.

And now that time has come. And more is going to be asked of me. I’m going to get more playing time. More expectations, more possibilities. So it’s definitely an entirely different experience, but one I can’t wait to have.

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Blogging the Journey: Sylvia Fowles

sanampetri — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:40:00 GMT

Igniting the Blaze: This week, Sylvia blogs about her inspirations on the court, and the people who helped her get to the world’s biggest stage.

It’s definitely an honor to play with everyone here. These are considered the best women in the world.

The younger players like myself, I feel that we have to carry along this legacy and I feel that we need to learn these ropes. And the veterans on the team have really helped us out and been there for us.

It’s a great opportunity for when we become veterans too, when we get a chance to teach the young ones about the game we respect dearly, and teach them to not take this for a joke. Teach them that we have to compete to the best of our ability, and just let them know that anything is possible.

I always feel that, because there were people in my family growing up who played basketball, but they never stayed in school long enough, or got into too much trouble to take it beyond high school. So I’m the first one to make it, to be what their dreams were.

Sometimes I can’t get over it. I put on that red, white, and blue and I just get goose bumps. It’s a feeling that you’ll never get putting on any other uniform. You’re ready to go out there and compete and give it your all. You know it’s time to roll.

This summer, I’ll be playing in Beijing for my mom, plus my family and coaches who helped me along the way. And my brothers, they wouldn’t let me whine and they were always beating me up on the court, telling me to be tough and all that other good stuff. I owe them a lot.

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Blogging the Journey: Deron Williams

sanampetri — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:27:50 GMT

Igniting the Blaze: From Jason Kidd to Grandpa Williams, D-Will writes about how his childhood heroes have inspired his game.

Some people are born leaders, and I think I was one of them. I was always a point guard growing up and I just always wanted to take that responsibility. And there were a lot of people in my life who helped show me what that means.

When I was younger I watched the guys on Dream Team a lot. So when I went out and played, I would try to emulate them, you know. But as I got a little older, I started to really like bigger guards like myself, but fast guys who can also score and play great defense.

At home, my mom was always my hardest critic. After a game, when I was growing up, she would just let me have it. If I missed free-throws, if I didn't defend well, whatever it was. But it's to the point now where I like going and talking to my mom after a game. She's still just going to point out the bad, but at the same time it's helping me. She definitely always helped me and definitely made me a better player. She’ll be there in Beijing next month too, probably telling me everything I did wrong.

As for other motivators, I'm representing our country. That's the most important thing. It's not the name on your back – it's for the country. It's for the troops fighting for us overseas in Iraq. You know, they fight for us so we can be independent and survive, and this is our way of fighting and giving back to them. You know, doing our battle on the basketball court.

I’m very close to my grandfather, who served in World War II, and my uncle served in the Gulf War. So I know what it's like to have family over there and be worried about them, day in and day out. I know how people's families feel, just to want their loved ones back home safe. So we just appreciate everything they do for us and, like I said, that's our way to give back to them is by winning a gold medal. Because I know they're going to be watching, wherever they're at.

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Blogging the Journey: Manu Ginobili

Hotnix — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:01:47 GMT

Team DNA: They proved at the last Olympics that they can achieve the impossible. So where do they go from here?

I grew up in Argentina. Inside that soccer-crazy country, there’s one small basketball-crazy city with a lot of history related to hoops. That’s where I grew up, and with a crazy-about-basketball father, too. My whole family was always oriented toward basketball, my two older brothers played growing up, and you always want to be like your older brothers. And when we were kids, I dreamed about playing on the national team.

This year, we have many strengths. We know each other really well, probably better than anybody. We’ve won together before, that experience is really important. We like being with each other. And there’s this sense of team unity that I haven’t seen in many other teams. Now we’re much more experienced, and even though we don’t have the same young legs we had four or six years ago, the experience will always be good.

Our biggest challenge is to maintain the level we reached with the last three competitions, and to get a medal. It doesn’t matter what color it is. We’re getting older, so it’s not the same as eight years ago, but we still have a great shot. We’ve got a great team. Of course, we’re going to face some very talented teams – the US, Spain, and others – but it’s going to be a great challenge. In the end, the most important thing is to enjoy and compete in these Olympics.

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Blogging the Journey: Yi JianLian

GHarty — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:30:28 GMT

What’s at Stake: Yi writes about the challenges he’ll face this summer, representing China on his home turf and facing his NBA teammates on the court.

The greatest challenge for me is that there were so many “first times.” The first time to meet different opponents, the first time to encounter such an intense game schedule. You cannot imagine how hard it is and how it feels without the first hand experience. You have to experience it.

The most important thing for me is that I had the opportunity for the first time to encounter all these different teams and players. Every player has different characteristics, equally highly competent. Combining one’s personal effort with teamwork to compete.

The best players are all here, no matter if they are from the States or from other countries. I have learned a lot from them. The biggest motivation is because I love basketball. I get training, make improvements and enjoy the games. Make an effort to realize one’s aim. Not matter if it is to play in the NBA or do anything else, it is important to know one’s aim, and then make an effort towards that aim and make changes.

To overcome it is to face it, adapt to it and train oneself. Adapt to it through various games in order to be ready to compete as soon as possible.

This is the greatest challenge.

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Blogging the Journey: Coach K

Hotnix — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:59:15 GMT

Team DNA: Coach K talks about the importance of having a team that works together, plays together, and has the same unstoppable passion for the game.

There is no question that we’ve assembled a deep, talented team. Physically, they are imposing and each of them has made a name for themselves as stars in the NBA. More importantly, we believe that this is a unit that can compete in the international game. That is one thing that we have focused on, ensuring that we have a team that can play the world’s game, which is very different than the NBA and college games that we are all accustomed to.

Being an assistant coach on the 1992 Dream Team was an incredible experience. Just to be associated with that team is something that I will never forget. I think it’s important to remember, though, that we are not trying to recreate the Dream Team. Chasing the past would be fruitless. We needed to assemble the team that will work at this particular time and meet this particular challenge. In the 16 years since Barcelona, the challenge has changed. International players are better, but more importantly, international teams are better. The gap is rapidly closing between our talent and their teams. Talent will always be important. You can’t win without it. But we have put together a team that is committed to learning and playing the world’s game.

So, our team has a terrific genetic make-up – a combination of talent, commitment, and a willingness to give of themselves to be a part of something bigger. But equally as important to this team DNA is the way in which you nurture it.

This past weekend was the first time we met together as the 2008 Olympic team. It was a whirlwind weekend that took us from Las Vegas to New York City, with numerous events and interviews.

But more than logistics, this past weekend was about forming a collective mind and spirit. You tell them things, and they hear it. You show them things, and they see it. But when they internalize those things that they see and hear, that’s when they feel it. Things like the opening of the Nike USA Basketball exhibit in Harlem late Sunday night remind us that we do not exist in isolation. We are a part of the rich history of USA Basketball. We are representing much more than ourselves, we represent a proud country that loves the game. The events of this past weekend made it possible for our guys to feel and to understand the magnitude of our undertaking. When you have great DNA, nurtured with feeling, you have a chance to accomplish something special.

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Blogging the Journey: Sue Bird

Hotnix — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:30:15 GMT

Team DNA: Different skills, different personalities, and a whole new playing field. How will they pull it off? Sue talks about the explosive chemistry on this year’s Team USA.

I think the makeup of our team is going to be the key for us this year. We have players who have a ton of Olympic experience. They’re real veterans, and with that comes a maturity level. They know how to win in the Olympics.

One of the biggest advantages for us is that pretty much our entire team will have international experience, even if it’s not in the Olympics. International play is really different than what you see in WNBA; the refs are different, the players are different, the moves are different.

International experience is also important because you already know the players you’re up against. I could go down the list of most teams I've played in the past and give you a full scouting report on every single player. Since you don’t really have a lot time to scout, and you don’t have a lot of time to prepare, it’s a huge advantage to have that experience.

This team is also special because we know each other so well. I’ve played for our coach for many years now, so I know her system, I know her style, and I can really help the team in a kind of leadership role. All of us are really close, I've played with some of these guys all the way back to college, plus overseas and in the league.

So I’m excited about it. It’s going to be very challenging, but I think we can pull it off. And I think we’re going to have a lot of fun doing it, and that’s mostly what I’m looking forward to.

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Blogging the Journey: Pau Gasol

Hotnix — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:38:59 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.

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Blogging the Journey: Manu Ginobili

Hotnix — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:24:48 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.

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Blogging the Journey: Sylvia Fowles

Hotnix — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:58:58 GMT

What’s at Stake: As the first week of training camp approaches, Sylvia writes about what it's like to play with the legends of the game.

When you're with your WNBA team, you have certain people who can score, certain people can do this or that. But now it's an All-Star team. We’re all together.

My role on this team is to do everything. If I’m on the bench, I’m making sure I'm getting my teammates into the game, giving them energy. Being out there on the floor playing hard, crashing the boards, diving on the floors, scoring when it's needed, playing great defense… I’m doing anything that's needed from me. I'm going to step up to the plate and take that role.

None of this is about my own legacy. I know that might sound weird. But just being part of the USA Team will be my legacy. We have some of the best players in the world. All of us together, we can make it happen. Everything will fall into order.

We’re focused right now. I know these girls want it. I know I want it. So it’s not going to be, you know, kitty catting and playing around. We know what we’re after. We know we’re trying to get this gold medal.

Bringing home the gold is about pride, and that’s how we do things in the U.S. I think we take pride in winning and having fun while we do it. And we know we’re capable of it. It will mean a lot to bring that home, that gold medal… not just for yourself, but for your country.

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Blogging the Journey: Coach K

GHarty — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:55:23 GMT

What’s at Stake: This week, Coach K talks about the Team USA selection process, the guys who made the cut, and what it’ll take to win.

I am so proud to be the coach of this team.

This past week really got this summer started, beginning with the press conference and team announcement on Monday in Chicago. The selection process was a difficult one, but we are extremely pleased with the team we will take to Beijing. The final selection was made based on what we have learned about these guys over the years, what kind of NBA seasons they had, where they are now in terms of injuries and fatigue, and what combination of personnel will serve us best against the international competition. We were looking at the total team concept, not just individual positions. This is not an All-Star team. Of course, there are many All-Stars on this team because a key part of the mix you need to win is talent. We have focused on learning what you need to compete in international basketball and bringing together those individuals that best meet those needs.

One of the things I have been most impressed with over the past two summers and going into our third, is the desire these players have to be on this team. It was something they felt in their hearts they had to do – represent their country. All of the 33 guys who played for the National Team over the past three summers did so because it was a commitment that was important to them. When they were unable to play because of family situations or injuries and recovery, they took the time that they needed. But all of these men committed to be a part of this team and have done a great service for the United States and for the game of basketball.

As we come together for our first team meeting and practice, there are things that we have to work on as a coaching staff and as a team. One thing I am not worried about working on is motivation. These guys are ready to play. The stakes themselves are the motivation. Not only are these guys playing for their country, they are trying to reclaim the game. Some of these guys were on the 2004 Olympic Team and are really on a mission to prove themselves. Even the ones who were not on that team share the desire to show that we can win on an international stage. There are some differences in the way you coach these guys as opposed to college players, but finding ways to motivate this team, considering our collective goal, is not a problem. These guys are professionals, they are quick learners, and they want to be the best.

This is what we have been working towards. Now that we have focused on increasing the commitment involved in being a part of USA Basketball, we hope to see increased results. We want to make our country proud, we want our service to be worthy, but we also want our efforts to produce the goals we established for ourselves.

I can’t wait for my team to arrive and to see what we can accomplish together.

Blogging the Journey: Deron Williams

Hotnix — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:44:00 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.

Blogging the Journey: Sue Bird

Hotnix — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:29:34 GMT

What’s at Stake: As Sue prepares for the biggest challenge of her career, she’s thinking about what it means to represent her country in the 2008 Olympic Games.

With the Summer Games, what you’re representing is way beyond anything that you can even comprehend. At times, it takes on a meaning bigger than even basketball. It’s instant respect, a big challenge, and a big opportunity.

And we have a lot to prove this summer. Team USA has won gold after gold after gold, so that’s what the expectation is. That’s where the standard has been set, and that’s what we all want. We don’t want anything less.

As a player, you know it’s going to be hard, and you know you’re going to have to play your best. That’s when you have a chance to rise to the occasion, and I think all of us kind of live for those moments, and live to be successful in those moments.

For me personally, the last couple of years, I had the opportunity to play behind one of the greatest point guards ever to put the USA Basketball jersey on, and just learn from her. And I definitely know I am ready for this – not just physically, but mentally as well. I can definitely see a difference in myself, from 2002 to now. I’m way more experienced. I am ready.

I know what it takes because I’ve seen it. I’m ready to prove myself as the point guard. And I think everyone individually feels that way. As a team we feel that way.

I know that it’s going to be a challenge, but regardless, we’re going to have a good time doing it – and that’s equally as important sometimes. The more you get to know your teammates, the closer you feel, and the more you want to win for one another. It’s a comfort level that, when you hit it, it really helps on the court.

This is truly a good group. We know when to work and we know when to play. I think everybody, the veterans, the younger players and everyone in between, we’re just all there for one reason.

The USA is going to take the gold.

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