Blue eyed soul

My husband has daughter #1 at his mother's. The Newbie is sound asleep. The dog has been walked. I have nothing at all to do but watch Team USA hoop it up against those nefarious Lithuanians.

Now that the US doesn't get folks shook anymore, the Olympic basketball games are suddenly dramatic. This one- a 5 point US lead after a halftime-beating 3- is a gem. The Lith came out strong, then the US went on a run. Now, the Lith is making a comeback of their own. Some guy named Moskalivovic (I made it up, but it sounds almost nothing like that) just got called the "Scottie Pippen of the Balkans."

I have enjoyed these Olympics. Watching Larry, Magic, and Jordan abuse a bunch of scared Africans and Asians did nothing for me. Those games were conducted at Pro Bowl intensity, and they had the drama of an hourglass. I'm as American as the rest of you- once we get past that "born in France" part- but watching us smoke Angola did nothing for me.

Now, every game is a heart attack. The US team has the cohesion of a team assembled last month, which they are. They are also fairly young, and are playing a different game. The low post is further away, taking away the post up abilities of the US wing players. The 3 point line is a long step back from the free throw line. The value of the Role Player, the Jump Shooter, the Hatchet Man and the Defensive Guard have never been more brilliantly illustrated than they have been by their absence on this US team.

Unrelated, but I thought Billy Crystal was being interviewed until I looked up...Dear God, it was Richard Jefferson.

The US now has more drama than Osama, and enough tension to make Carmello call his Momma.  We could lose any game, to anyone. Tremendous.

That's right. Tremendous. Bring it on, you slovenly Slavic dogs. And those overpopuated fellows from the East can step up next. I  must add that those Canadians have been getting awful mouthy lately, as well. They know where to look, and we aren't hard to find.

The gap has narrowed, the drama has returned, and the games are no longer easy. I love it. I say this even as the US turns into the shook team, scared to shoot from the outside. Even as the Slav is the one juking, scoring, blocking shots, and winning, I'm pleased. Looking at the hard-working, fundamentally sound team from the Baltic mini-country as they go after the arrogant millionaires, it's hard to root against them.

So we blew a game. We blew a few games. We have to beat Angola to advance. The Olympics just got a little less boring. Those games are serious now, and I couldn't be happier. We may even lose the Gold, but the future is bright. The Olympic basketball tournament is forever a dogfight now, and that always ends up being better viewing.

Sad to see Duncan being the 2nd best #13 on the court, but c'est la vie....