'This Is What We Came Here For'The U.S. women get the gold medal date they wanted—with Brazilby Gerry Callahan
THEIR JOURNEY began in Cincinnati nine months ago and took them through 39 cities in six countries before landing them on the biggest stage in sports. On the way to tomorrow's gold medal game, the U.S. women's basketball team won 59 straight games along with the hearts of basketball fans, who apparently have nothing against the concept of Dream Teams. They just prefer to see them take the hard road to the Olympics.
Yesterday the Americans rolled over Australia 93-71 at the Georgia Dome to earn a place in the championship game against Brazil. The 6:35 p.m. showdown will decide the final gold medal of the Atlanta Games, which is only fitting for coach Tara VanDerveer's traveling band of basketball gypsies, who have covered more miles since October than Barnum and Bailey. "I've been in this city for two weeks now," U.S. reserve guard Jennifer Azzi said, smiling. "I can't remember the last time I could say that about one place. This must be home."
Leslie sliced through the Aussies for 22 points.
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The best female basketball players in the U.S. often awoke in their hotel rooms without a clue as to where they were, but they always knew where they were headed. The gold medal game has been circled on their schedule since their tour began, and the long haul to the Georgia Dome has made them especially determined to finish the job. "Like I told them at halftime, we've come too far, we've invested too much to let up now," said VanDerveer. "This is what we came here for."
In rolling to the championship game, the U.S. women have been nearly as dominant as the American men, beating their opponents by an average of 29.3 points while scoring an average of 101.1 a game. A loss to Brazil would be nearly as shocking as if the American men were to lose tonight to Yugoslavia.
But unlike the men, the U.S. women have had to work to restore their place in international hoops. They were upset by the Unified Team at the Barcelona Games, coming away with a bronze. They also finished third at the '94 world championships in Sydney after losing to Brazil 110-107, a defeat that will play no small part in tomorrow's showdown.
Janeth Arcian scored 11 against Ukraine.
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"I remember everything about that game," said VanDerveer, who had only eight of the current 12 players on that roster. "I've watched that tape. We just let them light us up. I think that one game did more for American women's basketball than any other single game. We knew we had to improve, and that's one reason we stayed together for a year. We had to get better."
That loss is not the only thing that has fueled the fire within VanDerveer and her players. The U.S. and Brazil were forced to share a five-minute bus ride back to the hotel after the game, and the presence of the dejected Americans did nothing to temper the Brazilians' celebration. "They were singing, dancing, just going nuts," said guard Dawn Staley. "It was difficult for us to take."
Brazil's players even felt the need to follow through on a pregame bet and cut their coach's hair during the bus ride. "It was painful," said VanDerveer.
For the Americans, it was the first of many painful bus rides that eventually led to Atlanta, where the U.S. has won all seven of its Olympic games.
Based on past performances, Maria Paula Silva and Brazil could give the Americans a run for the gold.
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Yesterday a feisty Australian team, led by the relentless Michele Timms, who had a game-high 27 points, outplayed the U.S. for the first five minutes, jumping to an 18-10 lead. Then the Americans seemed to hit a switch and crank their game up a level.
Staley came off the bench and passed off for five assists in eight minutes. The crowd‹from Spike Lee behind the U.S. bench to the fans in the cheap seats, who were closer to the blimps than the floor‹erupted in support of the Americans, and the Lycra-clad Aussies were out of luck. A game that was 22-22 midway through the first half was essentially over at the break as the U.S. took a 47-32 lead. Lisa Leslie scored 16 of her team-high 22 in the first half, while Katrina McClain ended up with 18 points and 15 rebounds for the U.S., which had also beaten Australia in the preliminary round.
"We felt this game would be tough because the Australians know us like cousins," said Leslie. "But right now I am simply looking forward to facing the tough competition ahead and trying to win the gold medal."
Unlike Australia, Brazil is not a familiar foe. It has avoided playing exhibitions against the U.S. in hopes of grabbing a psychological edge. The Brazilians beat Ukraine 81-60 in the other semifinal yesterday. With their enthusiastic, flag-waving fans sitting amid the American majority, the Brazilians will assure an electric atmosphere.
"They're an emotional team, so it should be exciting," said Azzi. "Sometimes you'll see them high-five each other when they hit a three-pointer, and you'll think they've just won the tournament."
Nikki McCray of the U.S. goes up against Australia.
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While they may not show it after each basket, the Americans will be every bit as emotional. The tune-up bouts are over; time for the title shot. VanDerveer will deliver a pregame speech, but it won't be necessary. "We want our lives back," said Edwards. "But first, we want to finish the job."
These Dream Teamers have worked too hard, come too far, been gone too long to let it slip away now. They need one more game for the gold. This time the Americans plan to do the dancing.
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