Sept. 6
If there was any doubt that the gap has been closed between USA basketball and the world, Thursday night confirmed it! I can't believe it -- what a nightmare for the U.S., to lose back-to-back to Argentina and Yugoslavia.

It wasn't like we had cupcake city competing for America. The guys on the floor, like Paul Pierce, Andre Miller, Baron Davis, Michael Finley, Jermaine O'Neal and Reggie Miller, can flat-out play. That is pretty good talent -- several All-Stars. It is hard to believe.

	We have to put a team on the court that will play as a unit. We have to flat-out understand that we don't dominate like we did in the past. We have to play with more of a sense of urgency, realizing what it means to wear that jersey that says U-S-A on the front.

The game of basketball is not all about flash and pizzazz; it is all about chemistry and playing as a team. It's about getting it done on both ends of the court, making the extra pass to get a good shot on offense, and helping out on defense. It's making sure a teammate helps step in the lane defensively, to close off driving angles, denying the opposition good looks at the basket.

You would have thought the U.S. team would want to show the loss to Argentina was a fluke. Most would have believed the American team would blow out its competition after receiving a big-time wake-up call following Wednesday's loss. Instead, there was more confirmation that the talent gap has closed.

Yugoslavia's team has a host of NBA talent, and players like Vlade Divac and Predrag Stojakovic understood their roles. Marko Jaric, who is headed to the Clippers next season, hit clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the deal, leaving the U.S. out of medal contention. It was the team concept that prevailed.

In fairness to George Karl and his staff, they just don't get enough time to put these All-Stars together. The game of basketball is played as a team.

It is time to face reality; the talent gap has really closed. It started in 1992, when all the nations got to see our best, the Dream Team with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. They were able to measure the standard of excellence, seeing what a great player is all about. The other countries were able to work and work to develop talented players. It has been work, work and work that has led to the gap closing dramatically.

Look at what has happened in the NBA draft. You see it every year now -- more international players learning fundamentals and playing with pride, getting better and better. The talent overseas has really improved.

We have to put a team on the court that will play as a unit. We have to flat-out understand that we don't dominate like we did in the past. We have to play with more of a sense of urgency, realizing what it means to wear that jersey that says U-S-A on the front.

If we want to dominate again, we need the Kobes and Shaqs to lace 'em up. We need the best of the best if we want to hang the gold medal around our necks.

Who would have thought that we would lose with the likes of Pierce, Davis and the Millers? It was shock city, baby!