Ahh, yes. I remember it oh so well. It was the summer of 2004. Usher was playing everywhere. The Yankees and Red Sox were at the peak of their rivalry. The USA Men’s Basketball team crapped the bed in tremendous fashion.

I’m here to revisit the latter and talk about the present.

It was that Olympics in Athens where USA Basketball was exposed for the first time since the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia dominated the US team in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Thankfully at least, for the US, Yugoslavia broke up into five countries by the time 2004 rolled around.

Sadly for the US, the rest of the world caught up. Argentina, led by Manu Ginobili (or as David Stern referred to him on Draft night “Manu Gin-o-beale) and Italy led by Italian Michael Jordan himself, Gianluca Basile dominated the US team.

For a reminder, here were some of the players on the US team: Captain Tim Duncan, LeBron, Melo, D-Wade, A.I., Stephon Marbury, Emeka Okafor, and Carlos Boozer among others. Kobe wasn’t able to participate as he was facing Rape charges. Shaq wasn’t interested, I assume. Kevin Garnett didn’t play. Jason Kidd was stuck in New Jersey (as a New Jersey resident, believe me when I say you get stuck in New Jersey). Vince Carter was doing things.

Anyway, my point is this: the Men’s team should’ve and could’ve dominated if they didn’t have to rely on their young talent of LeBron, Melo, or D-Wade and selfish guys like A.I. (I still love you Allen) or Starbury (I had a pair. Never question my Knicks fandom.). Even Okafor, who just led the UConn Men’s team to a National Championship just played the Christian Laettner role.

I was down at my Uncle’s house in Neptune, NJ (again stuck in NJ) after the US lost to Argentina and I can’t remember who the pundit on Around the Horn was, but it was suggested (it may have been Woody Page) that we send the And-1 streetball team to compete in 2008. Now, I love the And-1 mixtapes and I know that we live in very reactionary times, but if that stuck with me at 11 as something I remember at 26, you know it’s a Hall of Fame hot take.

And 15 years later, the Men’s team is in similar waters.

This morning, the United States team consisting of Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell, Harrison Barnes, Marcus Smart (I’ve liked Smart since Oklahoma State, but he shouldn’t be on the national team), and others were dominated by Rudy Gobert (love Rudy) and *checks notes* FRANK NTILIKINA?!?!?!?!

Frank Ntilikina has been an enigma for Knicks fans and that’s underselling it. He’s great on defense, but there’s a lot to be desired on offense. He’s only 21, but has sat on the bench in favor of Emmanuel Mudiay and Mario Hezonja. So, to say I’m surprised that Frank Ntilikina channeled his inner Magic Johnson is again, underselling.

I expect Rudy Gobert, arguably the league’s best defender, to ball out. He’s fun to watch when he’s not playing your favorite team and his “Me against the World” attitude is admirable.

But as we reach the crossroads for this team, we have to ask ourselves, “Are the big boys going to play in Tokyo next year?” I’m talking about Steph Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, or even Zion Williamson if he’s to break out like we expect.

I don’t expect LeBron and his Taco Tuesdays to join as he’s already won two gold medals and a bronze. KD and Klay will be coming off their injuries and, I assume, would rather get healthy for the 20–21 season.

But the other guys? They should show up.

There’s no good reason why Harden, Curry, or even DeMar DeRozan shouldn’t show up. It’s an honor to play for your country and play under one of if not the greatest coach in the history of basketball. This summer, Popovich struggled with his team, but it’s not totally his fault. The talent isn’t there like it has been in the past.

Funny enough, Pop was an assistant on Larry Brown’s staff for the 2004 Summer Games. So, if anyone knows about how to navigate this ship, you couldn’t find a better candidate than Gregg Popovich. Mike Krzyzewski may no longer be the coach, but that’s okay.

It’s not just important for the history of USA Basketball, it’s important for the game itself. The world’s best and brightest stars to play in the Olympics and it’s why the IOC let professional athletes play in the Olympics in the first place.

If they’re fully healthy next year and Giannis isn’t battling it out for Greece against AD for the US, it would be like if Mbappe not playing for France against Neymar’s Brazil. And believe it when I say that the only sports organization more corrupt than the NFL and IOC in FIFA wouldn’t allow that to happen.

So this should be a lesson learned, not just for the players and coaches, but for USA Basketball as a whole. We need to rally together as fans and push players to represent their nation. No offense to Kemba or Donovan Mitchell (who should be on the team I’d add), but USA Basketball needs its best players on the floor.

Next time, let’s not get blown out by Frank the Tank.