When it comes to most things in the Olympics, I’m a softy.
But I’ve always had a hard time with the Dream Team, or whatever rhyming name the U.S. men’s basketball team happens to be going by this time around. Multi-millionaires going after gold always seemed a little bit odd to me.
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Then again, I’m old enough to remember a time when Olympians had to be amateurs. No pros allowed. If they’d have talked about “bling” then, they would’ve actually been talking about their Olympic medals.
So, even though I watched the Redeem Team, as the Americans were pegged for these Olympics, it was with a bit of cynicism. Sure, they should be better than Greece. Of course they should beat Argentina. They have at least the four best players on the planet right now on this team.
I’ll be a softy for men’s volleyball or women’s soccer or just about any other Olympic sport. But men’s basketball? No way.
Then along came Sunday. The Americans, as expected, won the gold medal, defeating Spain and ending a recent run of woes in international play. Even though the game was closer than most anticipated, everything happened expected. Dominate play. Win gold.
But then something completely and totally unexpected happened. The players celebrated. Really and truly celebrated. They hugged and high fived and smiled.
They actually seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Chris Paul did a little dance move on the medal podium. Jason Kidd watched in awe as the stars and stripes were raised. Kobe Bryant sang along as the national anthem played.
There seemed to be actual joy in their celebration.
It was such a stark contrast to the hard exteriors we most often see. Many pros have garnered reputations as guarded, self-centered millionaires, and in many cases, those reputations are absolutely deserved. How, then, could these players really care about an Olympic medal?
But as I watched them Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but get a little misty eyed. That’s what always happens to me during Olympic medal ceremonies. I just never thought it would happen with men’s basketball.
Maybe that whole Redeem Team nickname was right. Those guys renewed some of my hope in pro athletes.