Omri's Column

The U.S. team demonstrated throughout the Olympic tournament their great superiority over the other teams of the world. Anyone who saw the final game can really understand. Even though Spain had a shot, over time, no one was going to be the U.S. team.

The game did not reflect the difference in overall competitive levels. The Spaniards gave a great fight and played team ball, led by Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro. This was a very high quality game that included many NBA players on both sides. The gold medal game in Beijing in the 2008 Olympics was very similar, both games had the U.S. sweating in the medal clinching game.

I keep hearing comparisons between this Olympic team and the Dream Team of 1992. I want to say it's just not fair to make this comparison. It's a different day, and a different time.

On the other hand, basketball today has greatly improved. Players have become more athletic, have evolved and the level of play has risen significantly. The '92 team was lead by Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all time. This was a historic team, the players were all of Hall of Fame level and it is just not logical to compare them. A team like that will never be comprised again...ever.

What's nice about this U.S. team is that it is difficult to point to one player who excelled above another. Any given day someone else stepped up and it was great to see. With each game you had no idea who will be the key player, who will rise above all and will lead them to victory. Carmelo Anthony was excellent throughout the tournament, he was the "X" Factor in many important games. Of course, Kevin Durant and LeBron James also had their effect in many important games.

It is difficult not to comment on the Israeli side of international play. David Blutenthal was simply amazing, there are no words for his excelled play. After Russia he had an amazing game against Spain and lost. Then they played another amazing game against Argentina, and this time they won. All my blessings go out to David, he took this squad to something wonderful. Every year he surprises with his play and he was amazing again and I have to tip my hat to him.

And after we talked a little about the rest of the world and touched on the corner of the Israeli Olympics, I want to finish with a word about the Israeli team. On Wednesday we get together and begin against Montenegro which will be a difficult and important stretch. Preparations are going well and I feel that everyone is in good shape, we're going to win and get better every game.

Now, the Olympics are over, all eyes are upon us and we hope to do our part and bring honor to Israeli basketball. This Summers play is very important to us and the other Israeli team players, as well as my self, feel a great amount of responsibility on our shoulders. One thing is certain, we will give all we have and more to win these games.

Taken from"one"website

What an amazing experience! I just participated in Nike's training camp in Portland with nine other league superstars. I was there along with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Udonis Haslem and others.

I'll tell you a bit about the camp. This training camp was held for a week to simulate a training camp at the start of an NBA season. We woke up early every morning at seven-thirty, the bus picking us up for the first practice. After training we all had lunch together at the magnificent campus of Nike in Portland. This is a magnificent facility, amazing Basketball Academy.

After lunch we got treatments, some showers, ice and all this stuff and spread out in different rooms to rest. Training was conducted at six in the evening where we mostly played games (5 by 5 and 1 on 1).

It was an amazing experience to train with the players who are at this level. Really, this was my first opportunity to meet, connect and just spend time with these people. So we hooked up, they invited me to participate in a project they are doing. This project is called 'Back Home'. Which will be four games will be held in four different cities. It will start in Cleveland, then New Orleans, Chicago and New York. It's nice that they asked me to join in on these exhibition games. We play with ourselves and can show the audience. Everything is done as a contribution to the community of course.

Of course, we not only trained there. As the trainin for the evening ended and everyone went away for a rest and a little orelazation, we would meet and go out for dinner or just to walk around Portland. While we were there, it was very cold and rainy, so it's a bit difficult. We talked a lot about the state of Israel. LeBron's friend, Romeo Travis, playing Gilboa / Galil and exactly how they won. I told him he was very good, so he called him to congratulate him. In general, they are all great men, modest. Such family members. They work incredibly hard.

Be surprised, but they know little about Israel. They heard many stories of their friends who play here as well, and about me too. I told them much about the country and invited them to visit here. I hope they will come this summer.

That was camp, now a little about Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi's last period reminded me of my first year in the NBA and the high amount of games. Players and professional staff will get used to it. Rush is unusual. What they went through and are imagining NBA season. But not to worry, then it worth their while. I am also sure that Maccabi will continue to look like it does in the future and I hope that I will take part in it.

I miss and am very excited by my return to Maccabi, but of course it depends on the strike. I work very hard to keep fit and to improve as a player. I miss the wonderful fans of Maccabi, dressing room, my friends and family in the country of course. When I talk about all this I'm excited, it's something I miss very much.

Friends, I hope we will meet