Confidence grows for men's basketball team

By Steve Rivera

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece -- Richard Jefferson has never played for a bigger favorite than the one he's on now.

``I've also never been on a team that's had this much scrutiny either,'' said Jefferson, the Dream Team's starting small forward and newly signed New Jersey Net. ``We have a lot of young guys. There's not a lot of experience there. But these guys have learned a lot in the last couple of weeks. If you looked at our game against Italy and our last game against Turkey, we're completely different.''

Different as in better, Jefferson believes. He attributes it to growing more accustomed to one another on and off the court on a daily basis.

A much-scrutinized 95-78 loss to Italy nearly two weeks ago has only strengthened the team's resolve. Team USA has since won four in a row as it gets ready to face Puerto Rico on Sunday.

``It was good because if we were to have that slip-up at the beginning of the tournament, things would be different,'' Jefferson said. ``You have to understand that you're not going to become a team in one week's time.

``Everyone has to find a role here. It doesn't happen in one game or four or five days. People have to get used to one another.''

Jefferson realizes that anything short of gold will be a failure for Team USA, and that the biggest threat likely will come from within.

``Not to take anything away from the other countries but it's very true,'' he said. ``Everyone knows that if the U.S. plays basketball the right way and we defend and play unselfish, we should win. It's a pretty simple equation.''

Easy to say, tough to do.

USA has had a difficult time adjusting to the international rules. But that too is improving, Jefferson said. The Americans were whistled for nine traveling calls in the first game, but none since. And then there are the referees - neither good nor bad, Jefferson said, just different.

``We're not going to get the benefit of the doubt on calls,'' he said. ``Every guy on our team is used to getting the benefit on every single call in the U.S. It's going to take a little adjustment. Plus, we have guys who are used to shooting the ball and doing different things. You're not going to be able to do that here. Does that mean we don't have 12 of the best 16 best players in the entire Olympic Games? No. It means we have to get used to each other and their style of play.''

And if Team USA loses, Jefferson knows the consequences.

``It's not a story if we win,'' he said. ``If we win by 15 and win the gold medal then there is nothing to talk about.''

Jefferson said the team is unique in its position that anything less than gold will be deemed an ``embarrassment to their country.''

``I don't think there is any other team at the Olympics that will have as much focus,'' he said.

Jefferson, ever outspoken and candid, understands the ground rules, and they haven't dissuaded him from playing.

``Cause it's fun,'' he said. ``Why not compete against other countries and represent your country? You have to enjoy it. Do I think we're going to win? I do believe we're the most talented team here, but it's a matter of us becoming a good team. Once we do that, we'll be all right.''