All three of these matters struck a nerve in the American basketball world.
The United States was gearing up to defend its Olympic gold medal. After all, they had only placed sixth in the last World Championship—and that was on home soil.
If they failed again in these Olympics, the Dream Team would have to be renamed the Nightmare Team.
The pressure on American basketball was immense.
This year's Dream Six Team lineup truly lacked star power. If not for Iverson and Duncan holding down the fort, it would have been even harder to get excited about.
"Isaiah Thomas is infamous in the United States. A man rejected by the Dream Team actually went over to China to be a consultant. Nothing he says has any credibility; he's just trying to curry favor."
"Jack Su is a great player, but his greatness was built on the overall strength of the Pacers. Without them, you think he can win a medal?"
