Redeem Team Rolling, For Now

After three preliminary games, The King, Black Mamba, Melo, and the gang seem to be firing on all cylinders; the defense is tough, smothering, and active while the offense is creative, accurate, and athletic. With All-Stars at every position, the Americans are the odds on favorites to win it all...

Sounds oddly familiar though, and oddly familiar has seen the Americans lacking the Midas touch for almost a decade. So though everyone is flying high early, Team USA basketball just needs to be sure that they continue on their path, and slight turbulence doesn't suddenly turn harsh and cause catastrophe. Fortunately, this group's personality is much different than the USA teams of the past. They have one thing that USA Basketball has never needed before...hunger and desire for redemption.

Hunger and desire are two of the most powerful feelings in sports, as proven by the recent Celtics. Combined with talent and good coaching, a champion is made.This group has the most star power since the Sydney and the coaching staff is dedicated and versatile. Composed of the top three scorers in the NBA while at the same time harboring All-NBA Defensive first teamers, there's not much room for things to go wrong for the Redeem Team. Hopefully the hunger for Olympic gold and the desire to put America back on top keeps the fire burning in these young men. Honestly though, I don't think I've ever seen the fire leave Kobe Bryant or Lebron James so Team USA is in great shape.

So to the Great Hopes of American Basketball, stay hungry, stay healthy, and kick the sh*t out of people like you used to.