USA AGAINST THE WORLD

Now that the NBA finals is over, the focus shifts on a summer of full of hope for cage pundits around the globe as Team USA gears up for the coming cage wars of the Olympiad in Beijing, China from August 8-24, 2008.

The last time team USA won the olympic gold medal was in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. It was coming off a disappointing bronze medal finish in the 2004 Athens olympics won by Argentina. This time around there is not turning back for the star and spangled squad as they assemble a who's who roster for the Beijing joust.

The complete roster of Team USA:

Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)

Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)

Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)

Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)

Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)

LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)

Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)

Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)

Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks)

Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)

Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)

Head Coach - Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University)

Assistant Coaches - Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University)

Mike D'Antoni (New York Knicks)

Nate McMillan (Portland Trailblazers)

Team USA is looking for blood, for vengeance and it showed that they really mean business in last year's FIBA Americas Championship, the qualifier for the Beijing Olympiad, as they posted a 10 win-0 loss card. The way team USA massacred the opposition is evidenced by the following results :

Won over Venezuela, 112-69

Won over US Virgin Islands, 123-59

Won over Canada, 113-63

Won over Brazil, 113-76

Won over Mexico, 127-100

Won over Puerto Rico, 117-78

Won over Uruguay, 118-79

Won over Argentina, 91-76

Won over Puerto Rico, 135-91 (semi-finals)

Won over Argentina, 118-81 (finals)

Whew! a whopping 39.5 winning margin per game! Not a few had believe that this is the second coming of the original dream team, which run roughshod over the opposition in the 1992 Barcelona olympics.

It will be one busy summer for coach Krzyzewski and his staff as they prepare for battle. The following is the complete itinerary of team USA :

June 28-29
Las Vegas TrainingLas Vegas, Nevada

June 28 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Cox Pavilion, UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 21-25
Las Vegas Training/ExhibitionLas Vegas, Nevada

July 21 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 22 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 23 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 24 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 25
State Farm USA Basketball ChallengeLas Vegas, Nevada

July 25 (5 p.m.)
USA vs. Canada
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 28-Aug. 1
USA Basketball International Challenge - Macao, China

July 28 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

July 29 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

July 30 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

July 31 (8 p.m.)
USA vs. Turkey
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

August 1 (8 p.m.)
USA vs. Lithuania
Coati Strip Coati Arena

August 2-5
USA Basketball International Challenge - Shanghai, China

August 2 (7:30-8:30 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Site TBA

August 3 (3 p.m.)
USA vs. Russia
Qizhong Arena

August 4 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Site TBA

August 5 (8 p.m.)
USA vs. Australia
Qizhong Arena

August 8-24
Olympic GamesBeijing, China

August 7 (Time TBA)
USA Team Training
Beijing Normal University

August 7 (4 p.m.)
Official Team Press Conference
Main Press Center

August 8 (Time TBA)
USA Team Training
Beijing Normal University

August 9 (Time TBA)
USA Team Training
Beijing Normal University
Preliminary Round

August 10 (10:15 p.m.)
USA vs. China
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 12 (8:00 p.m.)
USA vs. Angola
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 12 (8:00 p.m.)
*USA vs. Qualifier C
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 10 (10:15 p.m.)
USA vs. Spain
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 12 (8:00 p.m.)
*USA vs. Qualifier B
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 20
Quarterfinals
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 22
Semifinals
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 24
Finals
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

NOTE: USA Team training times and sites are subject to change. Media are encouraged to verify all sessions you plan to attend.
All times listed are local times.
* Opponents to be determined through the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that takes place July 14-20 in Athens, Greece.

Its vindication time for Team USA!