In 2004, not only was the American basketball team a huge disappointment in not winning gold, but also were widely criticized for acting like jerks on and off the court while in Greece. Well the Redeem Team is not only likely to win gold easily sunday, but also leave having changed the perceptions of American athletes from aloof superstars to patriotic approachable men.Lebron, Kobe and Dwayne Wade have signed endless autographs and were seen cheering on Michael Phelps at the water cube as he competed for one of his many medals, something that the 2004 ballers never did.
Also a few great stories have taken place this week in China. Saturday night as the Americans prepared to face Spain in the gold-medal game. It was a game of P.I.G. played between Bryant and Adam Wright of the U.S. water polo team.
Shot 1: Dunk. "P" for Wright.
Shot 2: 3-pointer. "I" for Wright.
Shot 3: A shot from behind the backboard, over the glass and swish! "G" for Wright
In a second story ....
Michael Redd described a mob of Chinese fans following him through a mall as he was shopping. He got requests for quick pictures and autographs, he couldn't believe he was being recognized in a country so far from the U.S.!
"They know all our stats, they know where we come from, they know everything about us," he said. "It's amazing -- it really is -- just how popular basketball has gotten. It really has gone global."
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