Chris Ekstrand

LAS VEGAS - It's time for Jerry Colangelo, Mike Krzyzewski and the staff and players who donned USA Basketball uniforms to take a bow. Not only did the USA juggernaut accomplish its goal of earning a berth in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing by laying waste to the teams from the rest of the Americas, it did so in a fashion that can make all citizens of the United States proud of its representatives both on and off the court.

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James traded shots and points for assists and teammates' smiles. Jason Kidd demonstrated why the Basketball Hall of Fame will come calling in a few years, whether he ever makes (or even takes) another jump shot. Carmelo Anthony served notice that FIBA's brand of basketball suits him just fine. And the entire USA basketball squad, from Bryant to Tyson Chandler and everyone in between, placed themselves back in the running for the gold medal in China one year from now.

"We're very honored to be one of the qualifying teams for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing," Krzyzewski said. "You could not have a more proud team than this U.S. team that they are going on to represent their country."

Now the hard work begins. The 40-point blowout victories scored here are unlikely to be duplicated in Beijing when the top opponents are Spain, Greece and a fortified Argentina. Three-point shots that were wide open for Anthony and James here will be closely contested, opponents will throw multiple defensive looks at the U.S. and national teams that have elevated pushing and holding to art forms will turn up the frustration quotient.

After the first meeting with Argentina on Aug. 27, Krzyzewski complimented Argentina and revealed he knows what lies ahead.

"They have great chemistry. Even though they have some younger guys, they are still in the same system. They have continuity with coaching staff, system and player development. That's the thing that a number of these countries have going for them."

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Krzyzewski also talked about how Argentina exhibited "physicality, especially below the waist." Opponents of the United States in Beijing are likely to get physical there and anyplace else they can get away with, since no team has the talent equivalents of Bryant, James or Anthony on its roster.

Nothing stays the same in a physical sport like basketball, and there is little doubt that the composition of the USA Basketball roster will change depending upon the availability of players, as well as tweaks that Colangelo, Krzyzewski and the coaching staff will have to determine. Some guesses:

• If healthy, Dwyane Wade will rejoin the team after spending this summer rehabilitating his body after a pair of surgeries. Wade can play shooting guard or point guard, but his inclusion does not add to the perimeter shooting acumen of the team. However, his ability to slash to the basket and draw fouls will be valuable.
• A big, strong body will be added to the roster, and the top candidates are Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer, two of Krzyzewski's former Duke stars. This USA Basketball team got away with playing Anthony and Tayshaun Prince at the power forward slot, but Coach K indicated in meetings with journalists that a banger with beef is on his shopping list for Beijing.
• USA Basketball representatives indicate they are happy to have developed some continuity as a result of Colangelo's request that players give a three-year commitment. But Colangelo has not hesitated to add promising young players to USA Basketball's now 33-member team roster. That means NBA rookies Greg Oden and Kevin Durant still have a chance to grab a roster spot if they deliver outstanding rookie seasons and fit a role identified as a need by USA Basketball.

The FIBA Americas Championship is over. Here is a thumbnail look ahead to the teams most likely to challenge Team USA in Beijing in 2008.