Failure Occurs Before Games

The fingerpointing associated with USA Basketball just seems to get worse everyday. Today, we can throw coach Larry Brown into the mix. There's more than enough blame to go around, but it seems obvious that the biggest problem for USA Basketball is the selection process.

The U.S. has only lost three Olympic hoop contests. The 1972 controversial loss was part defeat, part Cold War intrigue. It didn't signal a change in the balance of basketball supremacy. The 1988 loss, which ushered in the NBA's participation, was engineered mostly by a poor selection process. John Thompson, the Hall of Fame coach, loved defense. It's what made Georgetown a college power. However, Thompson's love of D, had him pick Olympians that would get playing time on the Hoyas, not succeed in the international format.

This year's team is also widely being criticized as poorly assembled. I cannot disagree. That means one could argue that two of the three Olympic losses were due, in part, to a poor selection process. What USA Basketball needs to do is something Hockey Canada learned long ago. When Canada's hockey honchos select Team Canada for the Olympics, Canada Cup or World Cup events, they always take plenty of superstars plus a few helpful role players to complete the roster.

When hockey's premier national squad takes to the ice, they are not a Dream Team. They have a nice sprinkling of muckers and grinders to keep some balance and do the dirty work. It's a concept that USA Basketball needs to adopt.

Next time the U.S.A. is called into action, the big names of the NBA would be welcome. So, too, should some specialists. Like a rebounder and a three point guy. A mid-range jump shooter. Role players. Guys who won't pout if they spend more time on the bench than on the floor.

Now, taking two or three of these guys is going to leave a few NBA superstars outside looking in. That won't sit well with some of them. Too bad. Maybe one or two of them might learn it's an honor to play.

Sure, even if David Stern is talked into such a plan at the expense of marketing another would-be superstar, there is no guarantee it's going to work. The selection process could be criticized again, especially if the U.S. doesn't win. However, if Canada's hockey success is any indication, it's worth a try.