Setting a "new standard for dullness," the U.S. men's
Olympic basketball team "fidgeted, fussed and flung out
endless cliches" during its news conference yesterday,
according to the AP's Chris Sheridan, who writes that if
there "was any doubt that this team is not the Dream Team,
that point was driven home relentlessly." Sheridan adds
that the players arrived 15 minutes late and left 10 minutes
early, and "no one even considered complaining" (AP, 9/15).
In Toronto, Doug Smith: "Once they were the Dream Team, now
they just put people to sleep." Smith calls the "boring"
news conference "testament to this group's lack of a
dominant personality" (TORONTO STAR, 9/15). In N.Y., Joel
Sherman: "Where have you gone Charles Barkley? A Dream Team
should drop our jaws, not our interest level" (N.Y. POST,
9/15). But in Toronto, Allan Maki writes that the players
"offered up a new image" as being "respectful, earnest and
happy" to be at the Games (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 9/15).
COULD SYDNEY TURN INTO CARTER COUNTRY? In Chicago, Jay
Mariotti writes on Raptors F Vince Carter and says to be
"prepared for two weeks of Vansanity." Carter "will be
pumped, preened and packaged as the next Michael Jordan, the
new global hoops phantasm." Carter: "I'm not trying to
steal the show. It just sort of happens, man." Mariotti
adds, "If Marion Jones is poised to be the Star of the
Games, Carter isn't far behind" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/15).
LIVIN' IT UP: In Chicago, Rick Telander writes that the
U.S. women's Olympic basketball team is staying at the same
hotel as the men's team, the "comfortable" Pacific Int'l
Hotel in Parmatta, outside of the Olympic Village. C Lisa
Leslie: "We have to be treated equally. In 1996 in Atlanta
we didn't stay in the village, either. ... We do feel we're
missing out on an experience. But for me, being at the
hotel, I love it" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/15).
OLYMPIC SPIRIT LACKING? USOC CEO Norm Blake and USOC
Chair Bill Hybl talked about the "lack of professional
participation" at the Games from various U.S. pro athletes,
specifically "expressing displeasure" with MLB's decision
"to keep some of its top minor league prospects from
competing." Blake: "When some of our better athletes
decline the invitation to come, I'm disappointed. It keeps
us from putting our best foot forward. ... I'm very
disappointed in baseball" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/15).
