Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Football players aren’t the only ones getting their fill of training camp. Some of the NBA's best began camp this weekend as well. The goal being to bring USA Basketball back up to snuff.
Of course, it’s a little different since the NBA guys are getting their training in Las Vegas. It goes without saying that they’re hoping everything that happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.
So far it appears that Coack Krzyzewski has left many stones unturned, starting with the basics such as the differences in the international game as well as a special reminder from the military about who they’re playing for.
The U.S. won its first five games in the 2002 World Championship, but then choked in three of its last four games to finish sixth. Then the U.S. finished 5-3 and took the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics.
Early on with the current group, Coack K sounds as if he has been satisfied with the effort, saying, “My first day of actually coaching and doing this with this group, I was amazed at the professionalism and the attention. I don't think the NBA players get credit for how professional they are, and the coaches. It is high level stuff. There's no nonsense. Each of our practices the first two mornings have been cut short because they're getting it. I don't like to linger if they're getting it. I'm impressed with that.� (click here to read more Coach K comments)
The United States will begin Preliminary round in the 2006 FIBA Men's World Championships on Aug. 19, at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo City ,Japan. Their pool (Group D) includes Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy, China, and Senegal.
What do you think? Is USA Basketball turning it around? Has the rest of the world surpassed the U.S. on the basketball court?
I say we win the World Championship this time. Looking at that roster I think USA finally gets it. Basketball is a T-E-A-M game. We finally have point guards who put team first as do the two best players Lebron and Wade.
Watch out world. America is back.