So far so good.

The US National Basketball team, which experienced so many problems 4 years ago in Athens, have blown by the first two teams on their schedule.

The good news? They’re 2-0, and look to have a good handle on the pace of the game. They’ve also been playing suffocating defense, something they didn’t do in Athens when they won bronze.

Bad News? They haven’t even scratched the surface of the talented teams in the Olympics. Greece, who shocked the world by defeating the US in the semi-finals 4 years ago, is next up for the Americans. Followed by the Pau Gasol lead Spanish team, who are defending champions.

As long as the US keeps on getting stellar performances from their bench players, they should be fine. Wade made us proud once again by notching 19 points for the second straight game, and once again leading the team in points, despite playing just 16 minutes. I can’t help it but to imagine this “re-born” D-Wade lobbing alley-oops to Shawn Marion, and receiving passes from Michael Beasley to hit a fade away three. So far he has been the MVP for the Americans, and if he can come back to South beach with gold around his neck, We can only hope that it will rejuvenate the Heat locker room, and that we can all rebound from a season that….well, a season that we’d all like to forget.

Next Game : USA vs. Greece  8 a.m.     8/14/08