LONDON – The challenging exhibition schedule is over for the U.S. men’s basketball team, marching in the opening ceremony is already a memory, and the Olympic flame is burning brightly.
“We’re ready,” said Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
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They’d better be. Don’t expect any opponents to be asking for photographs or autographs — there are teams here that feel they can beat the Americans.
Although heavily favored to win the 12-nation tournament and capture gold just as it did four years ago in Beijing, the superstar-studded U.S. squad will face a talented field loaded with NBA players.
The U.S. opens pool play Sunday against France, an experienced squad led by San Antonio guard Tony Parker, who nearly missed the London Games because of a serious eye injury. Parker’s ability to break down defenses and create in the open floor could pose an early problem for the Americans. And he’s not the only headache for the U.S., as France’s roster includes Ronny Turiaf, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum, Kevin Seraphin and Nando de Colo — all currently on NBA rosters.
“It’s a big test for us,” U.S. forward Carmelo Anthony said, lacing up his sneakers Saturday before practice at East London University. “We’re going up against guys that we normally play on a night-to-night basis, and those countries have put them all together just like we have. And at the end of the day their main goal is to beat the United States.
“There’s going to be some good battles.”
France will only be the first. This isn’t going to be some easy sightseeing stroll along the Thames for the American team before stepping onto the gold-medal stand. Spain, Argentina and Brazil are all talented enough to not only compete with the U.S., but potentially upset the world’s No. 1 team.
That wasn’t the case four years ago, when the U.S. steamrolled through the field, winning by at least 20 points in its first seven games before beating Spain 118-107 in the final. Krzyzewski, who guided the 2008 “Redeem Team” to gold, believes a potential road to gold could have some dangerous bumps.
“The overall 12 teams are more talented, more seasoned,” he said. “Spain is just in the prime of their — 28, 29 (years of age). Brazil is in that wheelhouse. I think Russia’s really, really good. Obviously Argentina, everyone says they’re older but their heart and talent has not gotten older, it’s just gotten better.
“There’s just more teams that feel that they have a chance to win the gold medal — and medal — than they did in ’08.”
Count the French among them. They finished second to Spain at last year’s European Championships, and maintain they won’t be intimidated by the U.S. team’s collection of All-Stars, MVPs and household names. France’s players have no intention of being posterized on a dunk by LeBron James or Kobe Bryant the way 7-foot-2 countryman Frederic Weis was famously embarrassed by a soaring Vince Carter in the 2000 Sydney Games.
France, 0-4 against the U.S. in Olympic competition, isn’t frightened.
“For us there is no fear factor because we play against them all the time,” said Parker, who will wear goggles to protect his surgically repaired left eye. “We know they are really, really good. But it’s not going to be like the other teams where they don’t see them and it’s like, ‘Oh, wow, I’m playing against Kobe and LeBron.”‘
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