If the NBA ring is the cream of the crop for the men’s basketball, the Olympic Gold is the priority for the women’s basketball team.
That’s right. As Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird said, nothing compares to the importance and the joy of playing for the United States women’s basketball team–the pride of winning that precious item.
And the time to put all their passion and hard work to practice has come once again as the 2012 London Olympics is only two-and-a-half months away. These ladies are expected and sure to play with focus, selflessness and pride to represent their country and once again bring back the gold medal, the cherry on the top of their careers.
For ladies like Sue Bird, The Olympics is what they strive for. To win a gold medal is the ultimate goal. It was the pinnacle, and it certainly has a special meaning. She also mentioned that people may not be a basketball fan, a Storm fan or even a Sue Bird fan. But once people get to hear they have been in the Olympics, they become instant fans.
This is what’s called Unity.
These women love playing for their country. They love it too much to complain about anything. They play too much basketball to make a living and abuse their bodies, but they don’t care. For them, this is one thing they know and would love to do.
Having been set up only 16 years ago, partly because of outstanding Olympic performances, the WNBA’s credibility is still growing worldwide. However, you won’t see a women’s basketball star who does not have an inspiring collection of hardware.
They either make history by taking a program that is way out of their league, or sweep the awards in winning the championships at all levels.
For them, behind every all-time women’s basketball great is a huge responsibility: To leave a legacy everywhere you go, break the ground and win multiple championships.
According to Sylvia Fowles who will try to win her second gold medal in this year’s Olympics, it is beyond a job, more of a motivation than pressure. She also said that there’s nothing greater than American basketball and expressed her desire to be a three and maybe four times Olympian.
The team believes in the traditions. Their standard is that they play for as long as they can. And this has been proven by Teresa Edwards, a five-time Olympian. For some like Taurasi, Bird and Catchings, this will be their third straight Olympics. Lisa Leslie on the other hand, participated in four games. Most of these players showed their astonishing talents and skills in just as many world championships!
These attributes are what makes them stand out. This passionate drive is what made the Team USA win 33 straight Olympic games and four straight gold medals. For the women’s basketball team, being the world’s best is not impossible. And it will be their pride and joy, to be able to see their country’s flag raised and once again winning the title of world champions.
The members of this year U.S. the Olympic Women’s Basketball Team are Jayne Appel (C), Seimone Augustus, Sue Bird, Rebekkah Brunson, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Tina Charles, Candice Dupree, Sylvia Fowles, Brittney Griner, Lindsey Harding, Asjha Jones, Kara Lawson, Angel McCoughtry, Renee Montgomery, Maya Moore, Candace Parker, Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi, Lindsay Whalen and Sophia Young. The head coach of the team is Geno Auriemma from the University of Connecticut.
