The Dream Team was a main attraction during the first
weekend of the Games, but some are starting to sense over-
exposure. ESPN's Mike Lupica: "This Dream Team has to watch it.
... There could be a backlash from people who are a little tired
of zillionaire basketball players mugging for the camera." On
the non-impressive showing against Argentina, during which they
still "mugged for the camera every time they dunked the ball":
"If they keep doing that, in about ten days there are going to be
a lot of people out in this country who won't be able to decide
if they want Lithuania to beat them more or Croatia" ("Sports
Day," ESPN, 7/21). In Orlando, Larry Guest writes the Dream Team
has competition from the U.S. Women's team. Guest: "How many
50-point romps over Madagascar by arrogant NBA bajillionaires can
hold your attention?" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/22). In San Jose,
Mark Purdy writes, "There is the sense here that by the end of
these Olympics, even the Dream Team's close relatives and
household pets will be sick of them." Purdy adds that the Dream
Team concept "has lost touch with reality" (SAN JOSE MERCURY
NEWS, 7/21). In Washington, Michael Wilbon writes the Dream Team
should take some lessons from Muhammad Ali, adding, "I've had
enough of the Dream Team, even if it's as much the fault of those
who market the team as those who play on it" (WASHINGTON POST,
7/21). In San Diego, Nick Canepa writes the Dream Team has
become "a joke ... They don't act like Olympians, they don't talk
like Olympians. They don't even live with Olympians" (SAN DIEGO
UNION TRIBUNE, 7/21).
