What started slow and uneventful has turned into a basketball game. By game, I mean USA is now taking a shit on the russians. It’s the end of the third quarter and the redeem team just closed out the quarter with a 10 - 0 run.

I’ve got the laptop (Kubunu 8.04 w/ KDE 4.1) sitting right here as I am watching the game. Here are my current thoughts:

• Michael Redd is the sickest shooter. He comes off the bench for Kobe.
• The Chinese are having a hard time keeping score.
• 12am is a perfect time for games to start
• Kirilenko blocked Melo in the 1st quarter (sucks for Melo; still a sick block)
• Kobe has 16pts leading all scorers.
• Kobe just missed a finger-roll. I hope someone screamed MOTED!
• 10min quarters are weird.
• DWade is the 6th man…so crazy
• We just played zone D for the first time all game (6:17 4th).
• We haven’t called a single time out in 4 games.
• Chuck Daly didn’t call one the entire 92 Olympics
• Kobe just missed a dunk! MOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTED
• LeBron just fouled out. 10pts.
• Jason Kidd hasn’t played in the second half
• Kobe just banked a 3pter (from the left side) from at least 35 feet back.
• 85 - 65 2:58 4th
• Kobe finished with 19
• This game is over. I love HD

Aug 10 USA Vs China but first there is one more prelim game against Australia on Tuesday. Oh Tuesday…You very special day.

Nike and ESPN have a documentary that I can’t get enough of. After falling from grace in 2004, the USA Mens Basketball Team has spent the last 3 years rebuilding.

Starting in 2006, this 5 part documentary follows Team USA through the player selection process, the 06 loss to Greece, 2007’s America Games and current practices leading up to this summer’s Beijing Olympics.

There is no question that this is the best team since 1992. Dream Team 2 in 96 was pretty damn solid. But this isn’t Dream Team 2. This is Dream Team 2.0.

MEN’S SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM
Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 Denver Nuggets	Carlos Boozer F 6-9 Utah Jazz	Chris Bosh F 6-10 Toronto Raptors	Kobe Bryant G 6-6 LA Lakers	Dwight Howard F-C 6-11 Orlando Magic	LeBron James F 6-8 Cleveland Cavaliers
Jason Kidd G 6-4 Dallas Mavericks	Chris Paul G 6-0 NO Hornets	Tayshaun Prince F 6-9 Detroit Pistons	Michael Redd G 6-6 Milwaukee Bucks	Dwyane Wade G 6-4 Miami Heat	Deron Williams G 6-3 Utah Jazz

July 26-Aug. 1: Macao, China

USA vs. Turkey: July 31 (8 a.m. ET) USA vs. Lithuania: Aug. 1 (8 a.m. ET)

Aug. 2-6: Shangai, China USA Basketball International Challenge

USA vs. Russia: Aug. 3 (3 a.m. ET) USA vs. Australia: Aug. 5 (8 a.m. ET)

Aug. 8-24: Beijing, China 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

vs. China: Aug. 10, 10:15 a.m. ET vs. Angola: Aug. 12, 8 a.m. ET vs. Greece: Aug. 14, 8 a.m. ET vs. Spain: Aug. 16, 10:15 a.m. ET vs. Germany: Aug. 18, 8 a.m. ET Quarterfinals: Aug. 20 Semifinals: Aug. 22 Finals: Aug. 24