Bush looking to instill patriotism in NBA hoopsters
Bush looking to instill patriotism in NBA hoopsters
by Robert J. Saiget
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BEIJING (AFP) - President George W. Bush's attendance at the US's opening Olympic match against hosts China on Sunday is expected to drive a shot of patriotism into the team of highly paid NBA superstars.
Bush, who will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Friday, is also expected to watch Team USA embark on their Beijing Games quest to overcome a humiliating bronze medal at Athens 2004.
"This means the entire country is rallying around this kind of road to redemption theme that we have," Los Angeles Laker superstar and multimillionaire Kobe Bryant said.
"For our president to come to watch us play the game and try to bring back the gold medal makes it even more significant."
Bush's attendance at the Games comes at the end of a presidency that is bound to go down in history for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have become unpopular worldwide.
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In basketball, the United States have won 12 Olympic championships, but the Athens Games were the first time the team has failed to win gold since NBA professionals were allowed to compete at the Olympics in 1992.
Bryant and other US players are insisting that representing their nation and winning a gold medal is more important than the lofty goal of winning an NBA championship.
"When you're playing for an NBA championship you're obviously playing for a brand, you're playing for whatever motivates you, to prove people wrong or whatever," Bryant said.
"A gold medal is different because you're playing for your country. There is more at stake."
Team Managing director Jerry Colangelo, who has sought to right the dismal play of the Americans in Athens as well as at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships, said he likes the patriotic attitude his current players are showing.
"I know how they feel about (their country) and I appreciate the respect," Colangelo told AFP.
"Right now their attitude of togetherness is great and they are playing selflessly not selfishly."
Colangelo has set up a new structure for Team USA by demanding a three-year commitment from each player to represent the United States at successive World Championships and Olympic Games and all the qualifying matches in between.
Since the system was put in place in 2005 it has not shown the desired results with Team USA settling for a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships after crashing out to Greece in the semi-finals.
Sunday will begin the ultimate test of the system, Colangelo said, and Bush's presence at the opening game will raises the stakes.
"I don't think any of us are nervous, we are anticipating, we are anxious to get there and start the Olympics… we are getting a little antsy," he said.
"I'm looking forward for him (Bush) to be able to spend some time with our team, I hope it works out, we would appreciate that support."
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Bush's expected attendance will reflect the pride the players have to be Americans and will also bring into perspective their professional goals.
"We got to go out there and play like we are representing the United States and if we can do that we can be very proud of our country."
Is the gold medal more important than an NBA championship?
"I've never won a gold medal, I've won an NBA championship, it is an unbelievable feeling," he said.
"I think the gold medal will be just about the same if not even better… so I'll tell you afterwards
by Robert J. Saiget
+
BEIJING (AFP) - President George W. Bush's attendance at the US's opening Olympic match against hosts China on Sunday is expected to drive a shot of patriotism into the team of highly paid NBA superstars.
Bush, who will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Friday, is also expected to watch Team USA embark on their Beijing Games quest to overcome a humiliating bronze medal at Athens 2004.
"This means the entire country is rallying around this kind of road to redemption theme that we have," Los Angeles Laker superstar and multimillionaire Kobe Bryant said.
"For our president to come to watch us play the game and try to bring back the gold medal makes it even more significant."
Bush's attendance at the Games comes at the end of a presidency that is bound to go down in history for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have become unpopular worldwide.
ADVERTISEMENT
In basketball, the United States have won 12 Olympic championships, but the Athens Games were the first time the team has failed to win gold since NBA professionals were allowed to compete at the Olympics in 1992.
Bryant and other US players are insisting that representing their nation and winning a gold medal is more important than the lofty goal of winning an NBA championship.
"When you're playing for an NBA championship you're obviously playing for a brand, you're playing for whatever motivates you, to prove people wrong or whatever," Bryant said.
"A gold medal is different because you're playing for your country. There is more at stake."
Team Managing director Jerry Colangelo, who has sought to right the dismal play of the Americans in Athens as well as at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships, said he likes the patriotic attitude his current players are showing.
"I know how they feel about (their country) and I appreciate the respect," Colangelo told AFP.
"Right now their attitude of togetherness is great and they are playing selflessly not selfishly."
Colangelo has set up a new structure for Team USA by demanding a three-year commitment from each player to represent the United States at successive World Championships and Olympic Games and all the qualifying matches in between.
Since the system was put in place in 2005 it has not shown the desired results with Team USA settling for a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships after crashing out to Greece in the semi-finals.
Sunday will begin the ultimate test of the system, Colangelo said, and Bush's presence at the opening game will raises the stakes.
"I don't think any of us are nervous, we are anticipating, we are anxious to get there and start the Olympics… we are getting a little antsy," he said.
"I'm looking forward for him (Bush) to be able to spend some time with our team, I hope it works out, we would appreciate that support."
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Bush's expected attendance will reflect the pride the players have to be Americans and will also bring into perspective their professional goals.
"We got to go out there and play like we are representing the United States and if we can do that we can be very proud of our country."
Is the gold medal more important than an NBA championship?
"I've never won a gold medal, I've won an NBA championship, it is an unbelievable feeling," he said.
"I think the gold medal will be just about the same if not even better… so I'll tell you afterwards