Here's hoping Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are golden at Beijing Olympics

August 3, 9:29 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Kobe Bryant

I’m looking forward to getting behind the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team in the Olympics, which start this weekend.

Honestly, when Team USA lost three times in the 2004 Olympics and wound up with the bronze, I not only didn’t care I was kind of glad.

Allen Iverson, Richard Jefferson, Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, Emeka Okafor … I mean, nothing against those guys but that’s not my kind of team. Probably not yours, either.

This year’s team has Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, which automatically lends a more serious tone to the entire Olympic proceedings. Not to mention Mike Krzyzewski, who’s got a legacy to protect.
 

LeBron James

The days of assembling Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady are over, and rightfully so. The interest level just isn’t there anymore. A younger, hungrier set gives the U.S. a better shot.

Which lead you to Bryant and James, both of whom have made it clear anything short of a gold medal will be failure. Few things are more riveting in sports than watching teams playing under pressure. Team USA will be under pressure.

You always hear how Bryant is the best player on the planet. Well, he’ll actually get a chance to prove it. Unless you’re a Lakers fan, it’s tough to get behind Bryant. But this is one of those rare times it’s OK to pull for him.

James, too, although it’s much easier rooting for him.

Even Krzyzewski gets a nod from this end. It’s going to be interesting watching him deal with NBA players. Had he taken a pro job, say, for the Charlotte Bobcats it would have been kind of fun watching him struggle after so many ridiculously successful seasons at Duke.
 

Mike Krzyzewski

But in this instance, hopefully Krzyzewski can put it all together and guide this team to gold and solidify his reputation as one of the greatest coaches of all time.

If you’re a hoops guy, you’ve got to trust Krzyzewski with this one … not only winning the gold medal, but winning it the right way: without any embarrassing moments, international incidents or awful sportsmanship.

This isn’t the Olympics for trash talk, running up the score and chest bumps. This would be a great year to win a gold medal with humility and dignity.

I’m going to get behind Team USA and hope they can do it.