SAITAMA, Japan - The United States are doing more
than winning games as they close in on reclaiming the gold medal at the world
basketball championship.
Team USA are winning back respect and fans, polishing a battered reputation
with some stirring performances in Japan.
While the US are packing plenty of star power at this championship with
names like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, their emphasis throughout the
tournament has been on team work.
Without a world title since 1994, US players have bought into coach Mike
Krzyzewski's "team first" concept which has carried the Americans all the way to
the semi-finals with an unbeaten record of 7-0.
"I don't know about the make-up of former teams, but I know that this team
really cares about USA Basketball," said Memphis Grizzlies Shane Battier.
"We care about playing the right way and playing the game with each other and
not against each other.
"That's been the mindset since day one.
"The guys are really unselfish and we're having a lot of fun out there."
Setting the tone for the U.S. are Wade and James.
Two of the NBA's biggest names and brightest young talents, the American
co-captains have happily taken a back seat in the US drive towards a gold
medal.
Wade, who claimed finals MVP honours leading the Miami Heat to their first
NBA title earlier this year, has filled the role of super sub coming off the
bench while James has been more concerned with his defensive play and setting up
team mates than scoring points.
"It's something I wanted," said Wade. "Of course, coach can start me at any
time with these guys.
"But, with me coming off the bench, it gives us another dimension and I love
it.
"You know I'm not going to complain, whether I'm starting or coming off the
bench. It doesn't matter.
"I am just one of the guys, here."
Wade, who had been averaging 20 points a game, had an off night in the 85-65
quarter-final win over Germany on Wednesday, scoring just three points and
missing all five of his shots from the three-point line.
But Wade's struggles had little impact as the Americans leaned on other
players, including a 19-point contribution from Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony.
"We're going to have nights like that but we got it done with defence," said
Anthony. "The coach just told us to keep shooting.
"We control out own destiny, we go out there and play good and the sky is the
limit. We play bad and anything can happen."
The US take on European champions Greece in one semi-final on Friday while
Spain will face Olympic champions Argentina for the other place in Sunday's gold
medal final.
