Leadership is the key for Coach K's Redeem Team.

Greece is a lovely place, but I don't expect to see Dwayne Wade or LeBron James vacationing in Athens anytime soon. The memories of a far from satisfying bronze medal finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics would just be way too nauseating. That Team USA, headed by Larry Brown, was grossly outplayed in most of their games. They played hoops with an evident lack of passion, and the result was a team lacking in chemistry and, worst of all, leadership. Now, four years later, it is time to suit up and try again at the Beijing games.

The returning players (LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer) have all greatly matured since their last Olympic hurrah, and they now know the importance of leadership. USA Basketball has a new national director in Jerry Colangelo, and Colangelo has built a team that is high on talent and character. This year's roster has the right mix of youthful exuberance (Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul) and veteran experience (Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant). And Colangelo hired the perfect man to steer the ship, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, with an assistant staff that is more than adequate (Nate McMillan, Jim Boeheim, Mike D'Antoni). Krzyzewski and company take pride in representing their country, and America's basketball dominance must be restored in Beijing.

This isn't to say it will be easy. International basketball, which has never been better, will make for a mighty challenge. The international game has been flexing its muscles for a long time, and Team USA has no margin for error if they want to stand atop the podium with a gold medal draped around their necks. All twelve men, plus the coaching staff, must be in this together. Everyone must repeatedly preach leadership, leadership, leadership, and teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. This sounds cliche, but it's what must be done to avoid another humiliating summer on the hardwood.

If all goes as planned, I see a gold medal in Team USA's future. Everyone seems to be seriously determined and excited about the opportunity for redemption. When I hear D-Wade or King James commenting about their desire to win the gold, it does not sound like just another meaningless sound bite. These guys really do care. They understand that it is time to bring the gold medal back to the land of basketball's creation.