Finally, A Team We Can Believe in.

It was a wakeup call. One that the basketball players back home needed desperately. Even if the 04 team was led by Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson, it was weak in the heart department. No one really wanted to be there, except the young kids. At the time, they were just undisciplined, undetermined, unfocused.

Fast forward to the 2006...Team USA finally got its act together, decided to make sure that the team would be coached right, would stay together, and would feature the heart and leadership to take home the gold.

To start, Coach K was hired to lead the team in both the World Championships and the Olympics. Not just that, they recruited players who would promise to play in both, giving some solidarity.

Unfortunately, they did not score a win in the 2006 world championships, but some could attribute that to luck, Greece just seemed to be on fire (knocking out a 62% clip), but the team looked focused. They had to be, international basketball has stepped its game up.

This is why the squad for the Olympics had to be impressive. The NBA recently had one of its greatest seasons in a long time. Even after a somewhat disappointing playoffs that catered to the home team, there was still much to be excited about.

* Center - Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic
* Guard - Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers
* Guard - Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks
* Guard - Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets
* Guard - Michael Redd of the Milwaukee Bucks
* Guard - Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz
* Guard - Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat
* Forward - Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz
* Forward - Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets
* Forward - Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons
* Forward - LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers
* Forward - Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors

This is a quality squad, filled with intangibles. Lets break this down shall we, Photos note starters ( my own opinion) :

Dwight Howard - A dominating center that is the definition of tremendous upside. It seems that every time he steps on the court, he gets better. He gives team USA a dominating inside presence, much like they had in teams prior.

Kobe Bryant - What can be said about him that hasn't already been? Putting all hate/love aside, this guys is just one hell of a baller. The fundamentals are there, he can control the game, and on a squad with talent, he now has the maturity t lead a team. He is the piece that can lead team USA to gold.

Jason Kidd - He may be advanced in basketball years, but so was Bird and Magic back on the original dream squad. The current Mr. Triple Double can find himself utilized as a prized addition to the squad off the bench, wheeling and dealing to control the pace of a transition game.

Chris Paul - The runner up to the MVP is no slouch indeed. After bring the New Orleans Hornets into respectability, he now has the responsibility of controlling the floor with players much more experienced than he is. Its great because he has the experience to do so, after growing into a leader for that very same Hornets squad.
Micheal Redd - It isn't a stretch to call him the purest shooter in the NBA. Even while he is tucked away in Milwakee, it isn't a stretch to call him the second coming of Reggie Miller. Look for him to get time off the bench when USA wants to slow it down, and just knock them down.

Deron Williams - He was dubbed the only man that could cover Chris Paul. If people who only saw him for that only knew that he is a much more talented than a simple defensive guy. He may be working as a bench player, but don't be surprised if there is hardly a hitch when he enters the game.

Dwyane Wade - D. Wade did not have the best 2007 -2008 season by any means. Losing your knee, teammates, and coach would lead someone to near insanity. Luckily, Wade has a fish's memory when it comes to hardship, and should come to play as one of the leaders of this squad.

Carlos Boozer - For some reason, this guy can't break through as a superstar acclaim to casual fans, but anyone who watches the game knows that he puts in work. Quietly may be the best forward on the list in terms of the complete package.

Carmelo Anthony - "Goin hard in the paint like Carmelo". Seriously, this guy is a great talent. Already used to playing with a superstar with Allen Iverson, he should know how to create his points while working with talent.

Tayshaun Prince - People are confused with this guy. He isn't that old, even though he plays on the most experienced squad in the league. He actually is one of the youngest guys on the list. However, playing on a perennial winner has developed him into earning his spot.

LeBron James -King James is the face of the NBA. Starring in commercials from the leagues best, to Nike, to Vitamin Water, if you don't know this guys face, you may be blind. On the court he has been noted as being unselfish with the ball, and this fits perfectly in a squad full of talent.

Chris Bosh - Bosh is the single reason that Toronto is a playoff team, not a ping pong team. Even though he was abused by D.Howard, don't take him lightly. Look for him to crash the boards, create points and beat down the opposite teams offense.

To be short, this team can at least be equal to the 96 squad in terms of talents. There are no less than 5 hall of famers on this list ready to suit up for the team. While this isn't another dream team by far, they should have any problem in smashing gold. Finally, a team we can believe in again.