Will Beijing gold inspire long-term commitment from the NBA stars to Team USA?

FAN NEWS (Greg Varkonyi, Sportingo) - All the talk in the press room following the convincing FIBA Americas Championship victory focused on what lies ahead rather than what Team USA accomplished.

Some on the stars are locks for Beijing. Others like Mike Miller, will have to earn their place.

question remains: If they win in Beijing, will the commitment still be there for the following four years?"

Team USA had just won the gold medal game in the fashion which many writers described as a slaughter of Argentina. Yet the celebration was short-lived, as moments after the medals ceremony the talk was all about the Beijing Olympics next year.

Jason Kidd probably said it best when he simply described the whole atmosphere in Vegas as the dream world that is now in the past. As to what happens next, he simply said that now they have to go back to the real world, go back to their respective teams, and a lot will happen between now and next August.

Naturally, injuries will come into play when determining next year’s US squad. Coach Mike Krzyzewski wrapped up his tournament ending press conference by naming the players that are sure to be there (barring injuries). Michael Redd’s shooting has certainly earned him a spot. You cannot leave out the trio of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant as they have easily been the heart and soul of this team.

Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh are all musts, considering how the USA’s lack of size has been an issue in the past. Oh, and don't forget about Dwyane Wade, who has been here in Vegas throughout the tournament, despite his inability to play due to his shoulder injury suffered at the end of the last NBA season.

Coach K. named all of the above as practically shoe-ins for the Olympics. The others will have to hope to win the support of the selection committee. Mike Miller, who was criticized early on because of some bad shooting nights, but came on strong in the final round, was not fazed at all. He simply reacted by saying that everyone who is on the extended team USA roster wants this team to win.

Make no mistake, they all want to be on the team, but the friendship that developed between these players can assure us that we will hear the loudest cheering from those who have been left out.

Listening to these comments I just had to wonder, did the US really need such ugly international losses to get this kind of attitude towards representing their country at the Olympics? Only one question remains: If they win in Beijing, will the commitment still be there for the following four years?

Jason Kidd, one guy who certainly will not be there four years from now as he thinks it is time for the younger generation, laughed at the question and ended the conversation with the following: “I’m just happy I got to win gold in my final FIBA Americas Championship...”

* This article is written by a basketball fan and is based on personnal opinions that does not reflect the views of FIBA. Fan articles are part of the Sportingo Network and are brought to you for discussion & opinion matters.