Jason Kidd, a 2000 gold medalist in Sydney, initially rejected Colangelo's overtures. But after watching the team finish with a disappointing bronze medal at the 2006 world championships in Japan, Kidd called to offer his experience and playmaking. Colangelo later added Utah Jazz teammates Boozer and Deron Williams (who, like Colangelo, attended the University of Illinois) after talking with them on the telephone.

Redd drove two hours after practice with the Milwaukee Bucks to meet with Colangelo at a Chicago hotel. Redd arrived in sweats, with a garment bag hanging over his shoulder. He asked to be excused and emerged from the bathroom in Colangelo's hotel room in a suit. "I wanted to treat it with a lot of respect," Redd said. "I respect him, I respect USA Basketball. At any other job in the world, you have to dress up in an interview. I wanted to do the same."

Most of his meetings, Colangelo stressed, were rather informal. Bosh said Colangelo's presence was persuasive enough. "I think it was, he was just in a position of power," Bosh said.

James, still smarting from his experience of playing sparingly in Athens, said he initially was apprehensive about meeting with Colangelo — especially with the demand that players had to sacrifice three summers. But halfway through Colangelo's presentation, which included a promise that James would have a more prominent role, James lifted his hand to stop him and said, "I'm in."

Colangelo found that most players were open and enthusiastic about participating, but was unable to persuade every player he wanted. Kevin Garnett declined countless offers, but Colangelo was able to find mini-successes even in some of his failures. Shaquille O'Neal joined Wade for a meeting with Colangelo in Phoenix out of courtesy and nearly caved.

"Shaq said, 'I came in, I had no intention, but after hearing you, it's 50-50,'" Colangelo said, proudly. "So I had accomplished a lot."

O'Neal, of course, declined. But you won't hear the members of this team complain.

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