2006 usa team;

 That team was scrutinized for losing in the worlds to Greece, but overall it was considered a step in the right direction for  USA program and didn’t match the chaos and dysfunction surrounding the 2002 team (which finished sixth in the worlds) and the 2004 team. Those teams were basically an embarrassment. 

The 2006 team represented the first time we actually attempted to put a program in place rather than just throwing together the best talent available, choosing a coach and rolling them out on the floor. Other countries were so far ahead of us in terms of preparation and cohesiveness that they were easily able to make up for the difference in talent. That began to change in 2006.

The 2006 team only lost one game against a deep and talented international field. The game they lost was a close game to an experienced Greek team that shot the lights out of the ball. Granted, they were the more talented team and still should have won, but it wasn’t like they were getting run off the floor by Puerto Rico like in 2004. The core of that team ( lebron, cp, melo and dwight) were all 22 or younger and they lacked some of the guys like Kobe and kd who would be mainstays on future gold medal teams. It was coach K’s first go round with the team and coaching in international competition. Overall, although it can be seen as a disappointment that they didn’t take home the gold, it was still a step in the right direction.

 The team did get a lot of flack for coming up short, such is the depth in NBA talent, Team USA cis effectively expected in win virtually all it’s games and the stars carry the team to victory. There are also good intangibles guys like Battier on the team to do the donkey work around the superstars.