I, like everyone else, watched the horror show that was the USA's Hoops opening Olympic disaster against Puerto Rico. I had seen most of the games in the pre-Olympic tour, including the 17 point shellacking at the hands of Italy, so I knew the US was less than prepared as a team and bereft of talent because of injuries and security fears. However, we had beaten PR by 25 points just two weeks ago, albeit with Tracy McGrady in the lineup, a guy who can shoot. Which brings me to my main point.

There's no denying the denial. Despite protestations from coach Larry Brown and co-captain Allen Iversen that the team's problem is defensive in nature, the reality is that the team simply cannot shoot 3 pointers. Remember that in the international games, the 3-point is only at 20' 6", 3 feet shorter than in the NBA game. Most of our best shooters, the aforementioned McGrady, Ray Allen and others stayed home and they are sorely missed.

It's not like Puerto Rico just squeaked by either. With one NBA player, Carlos Arroyo of the Utah Jazz, and a band of CBA castoffs and NCAA rejects, the PR dismantled a "team" with 2 NBA MVPs and many all-stars. Back when college players made up team in 1988, when we lost to the USSR by 6 points it huge deal. Now we're losing by 20 to a nothing team. It's a disaster.

Fortunately, it's just the opening round in the pool play, so the USA has a chance to make amends. And they will take care of Greece handily on Tuesday. But what happens when they have to play one of the top of the teams like Argentina or Serbia? Could the USA finish out of the medals for the first time ever in Olympic competition? That would be incredibly sad. We've already fallen behind the world in baseball and volleyball, two sports we invented. Is basketball next?