The Agony of Defeat

The United States made its 2004 Olympic debut in men's basketball this afternoon. The United States chose to wear red uniforms for this game rather than their usual blue. This was the first time that our men have worn red in Olympic play since 1972 in Munich, Germany. 1972 was the first year that the United States did not take home the Olympic gold medal (although they did win the medal, it was awarded wrongfully to the Soviet Union. We never claimed our silver medals, and they remain in a Swiss vault to this day). Perhaps the re-appearance of these red uniforms was an omen.

The United States' first opponent was Puerto Rico -- a team that the US had recently routed in pre-Olympic play. Although the gap between the United States and the rest of the international basketball world has clearly been narrowing over the years, no one thought that Puerto Rico would pose a serious challenge to the Americans. But, the American super-stars looked indecisive and tentative as they fell way behind in the first half. They played far better in the second half but eventually lost by an embarrassing score of 92-73.

(ESPN.com photo)

The Americans struggled with their outside shooting for the entire game and inexplicably never employed a full-court pressure defense against their athletically inferior foe. Nonetheless, the Puerto Ricans should be given full credit for their accomplishment. They played hard, and they played well, and they won.

I personally felt a mixture of sadness and anger as I watched Puerto Rican point guard Carlos Arroyo (of the NBA's Utah Jazz) taunt our boys on his way off the floor. Although this performance was a national embarassment, it will realistically have little to do with the United States' actual chances at the gold medal. The US only needs to finish in fourth or better in their six team pool in order to advance to the single-elimination medal round. Nonetheless, this was an inexcuseable loss that had better not be repeated.