Casey's Journal: Gold

(Mavs trainer Casey Smith is also performing those duties for Team USA. He's keeping a journal on life at the Olympics in Beijing.)

Well it really is 4:41am here in Beijing when I start this letter, and I really think that at this point I might not go to sleep. In some ways I feel like I have kind of a lot invested in this whole thing, and in a lot of ways, I am very realistic about how so many more people have much more invested in it than me, but it is exciting to be a part of it nonetheless. Just to have been around so many meetings, practices, games, events all geared towards Sunday at 2:30 and to really be here and only have 40 minutes of basketball left to determine whether or not we were successful. It's just here. Finally.

The game tonight vs. Argentina, really went like the last 3 years of games that we have played vs. them. That being we won big. It’s funny how relative the reality that you are presented can be. The media presents Argentina as this big powerhouse, but in reality, we have played them 3 times since the '04 Olympics (when we lost to them) and beat them easily each time, and tonight was no different. We got out to a big lead, and then had some little let downs, but all in all the guys played very hard and they are just too much when they do that.

(I am now picking up at 7:00 pm local time. I actually did sleep for about 4 hours). The whole thing is now closing and we have all the excitement and anticipation of playing the game mixed with all of the work involved in packing up our supplies, our personal stuff and just overall being ready to go home. I have thoroughly enjoyed Beijing and would seriously consider coming back for vacation.

We just had a light walk through today and a long film session and meeting preparing for Spain. Given that we really beat them in pool play, the thing you have to guard against is a false sense of security, but we are ready to win this thing and get our program back on top where it belongs.

I know I keep saying that I have a lot of stories and what not to tell you guys, but I really am short on time. I attached a picture of Jason and me at practice today, and an ad that I saw in a Nike store here in Beijing. Hey! I know that guy! Hopefully the next dispatch from me is a happy one.

GO USA!!
Casey