| Basketball at the 2008 Olympic Games will be held at | | | | that they wish to expand and promote the game of |
| Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing from August 9-24, | | | | basketball in China. As a result they have played and |
| 2008. | | | | will continue to play more exhibition games in China. |
| Basketball is definitely a global sport that has shown | | | | The presence of China's greatest player, Yao Ming in |
| continued growth over recent years. The USA with | | | | the NBA has helped to increase the popularity of |
| the NBA and its college basketball system undoubtedly | | | | basketball in China. |
| has the toughest competitions in the world that | | | | The following teams have already qualified for the |
| attracts the world's best players. However, the USA | | | | Beijing 2008 Olympics: Angola (African Champion), |
| has not always dominated the Olympics and on | | | | Argentina (Americas runner-up), Australia (Oceania |
| several occasions they have been embarrassed by | | | | Champion), China (host), Iran (Asian Champion), |
| some unexpected defeats to lesser known teams. | | | | Lithuania (European Bronze medallist), Russia |
| The USA always enters the Olympics as favourites | | | | (European Champion), Spain (World Champion) and |
| but their inability to gel and play as a team has brought | | | | USA (Champion of the Americas). |
| about some bad losses. The question will be is will they | | | | The remaining three positions for the Beijing Olympics |
| have a team of players who play like individuals or will | | | | will be decided in the twelve team FIBA Olympic |
| they put aside their egos and play as a team. If they | | | | Qualifying Tournament for Men that will take place in |
| play as a team then they should win the gold medal. | | | | Athens, Greece on July 14th. The tournament will |
| In 1972 the Soviet Union beat the USA to win the gold | | | | involve the following teams: Cameroon and Cape |
| in a controversial game. After 1988 the Olympics | | | | Verde (Africa), Brazil and Canada (Americas), |
| opened the sport up for professional players to play | | | | Lebanon, Puerto Rico and the Republic of Korea |
| which saw the greatest basketball team of all time to | | | | (Asia), Greece, Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia |
| compete in 1992. The "Dream Team" lead by Michael | | | | (Europe) and New Zealand (Oceania). The draw for |
| Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were just | | | | this tournament will be held on July 20, 2008 in Athens. |
| unbeatable and put on a show for all the world to see. | | | | The semi finals are scheduled to be played on August |
| Most of the players on the other teams were star | | | | 22nd and the finals two days later on August 24th. |
| struck by playing against these legends of the game. | | | | Although the Americans often underplay the |
| In 1992 Michael Jordan was the team's second highest | | | | importance of the Olympic Games it is guaranteed |
| scorer with 14.9 points per game and he had a | | | | that this time they will want to restore their global |
| tournament high 37 steals. The U.S. defeated Croatia | | | | dominance in basketball by coming out and performing |
| 117-85 in the final and as a result Michael Jordan | | | | at their best. Anything less than a gold medal will be |
| earned his second Olympic gold medal. | | | | taken as a failure by many players and supporters in |
| David Stern of the NBA has stated a number of times | | | | the USA. |