Team USA celebrated in Beijing
The USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team, a.k.a. “The Redeem Team,” is determined to bring back the gold medal and regain its standing as the world’s top basketball power.
It will take another couple of weeks to find out if the Americans are successful in their quest for redemption against some tough competition. However, the USA took one gigantic step in regaining something else: their reputation. A general respect and love for the players of the National Basketball Association was also at stake in Beijing.
Perhaps, more important than winning gold, we are witnessing a re-shaping of the image of the NBA on the world stage. Since the turn of the century, the world has gradually caught up with the Americans on the court, which has been displayed in the USA losing several games in International competition with NBA players. What has been more damaging has been the beating that the NBA players have taken image wise. Despite the growing popularity of the sport, the positive image of the players was eroding to the point where they were losing respect in the United States and around the world.
That seems to be changing in China.
This group of NBA All-Stars has been the toast of China since landing in Beijing. In a nation that is crazy about basketball and even more rabid about the NBA, the American players have been treated like rock stars. They have emerged as the second home team in the basketball competition after the hosting Chinese team, led by national icon Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets.
When the United States met China in the opening game, approximately 1 billion people tuned in to watch. Inside the arena, the cheers for the United States for just as exhuburent as they were for the host Chinese team. Even the USA stars were somewhat taken aback by the raucous support from the Chinese.
“Sometimes, we feel better supported here than back at home,” said All-Star guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.
When the Original Dream Team showed up in Barcelona for the 1992 Summer Olympics, they were met with unconditional love and support from the rest of the world. Opposing players cared more about getting their photos taken with Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird than winning the game. Everyone wanted to be around them, not only because they were great players, but they were true ambassadors of a game that was starting to catch fire on the worldwide scene.
In the ensuing years, the image of American players has changed dramatically. Around the world, the USA men’s basketball team became the symbol of the “Ugly Americans,” a group of spoiled, boorish, young millionaires and they were met with national and international scorn. Even many Americans cheered for the demise of the USA basketball team and actually reveled in their defeat to other international teams. That fact that Team USA was usually an all-black team gave many closet bigots the perfect opportunity to confidently spew their racist venom without any fear of reprisals. After all, everyone hated NBA players. It all came to a head in Athens in 2004 when the Americans lost three games and coach Larry Brown spent much of the games ridiculing his players and playing right into the stereotypes. Choosing Brown to coach the 2004 team had to be one of the worst decisions ever made by an Olympic committee.
“Four years ago, we weren’t getting cheers from nobody,” said Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.
Four years later, the whole atmosphere has changed. The NBA players are beloved everywhere they go. In China, Yao Ming’s jersey is actually ranked sixth among sales, ranking behind the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. The Chinese fans have fawned over their American heroes. Kobe and LeBron jerseys could be seen all over the arena. The players are just hanging out in their plush hotels. They have been out and about Beijing enjoying the Olympic experience.
The NBA players have been seen in the Olympic Village and have been consistent visitors at other events such as women’s basketball, beach volleyball and swimming. They have been everywhere supporting their American teammates in other sports.
NBA commissioner David Stern has always dreamed of making his league a global one. To see his young group of All-Stars act as ambassadors should bring a smile to his face.