So much for off-Broadway, or as they say here, off-Tiananmen Square.
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The U.S. Olympic team has had enough of the provinces. Showing the Americans are ready for prime time … or bored … they beat undermanned Australia on Tuesday night, although not by a lot and not impressively, winning 87-76 to finish their exhibition season 5-0.
It was the closest game the U.S. has played in two summers. No one had come closer than 21 points this summer. The closest any team came in the 2007 Tournament of the Americas was Argentina, which lost, 91-76.
Not that a lot is expected of the U.S. but coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked afterward whether his team is ready.
“We’re prepared for the Olympics,” said a bemused Krzyzewski. “You can elaborate on all the bad things. … I’d be much happier if we had played great but I would be much sadder if we had lost. …
“I told them, ‘Let’s just take it to Beijing.’ This was our worst effort, or not effort but performance. … I was concerned after our last game [a 21-point victory over Russia], our guys were already in Beijing.”
Counting their five days in Las Vegas, the U.S. players have been on the road more than two weeks. If their heads were already in Beijing, their bodies officially will arrive Wednesday.
Of course, they will then have to wait four more days before their eagerly anticipated opener against China with President Bush in attendance along with members of the Chinese Politburo.