The Selfish Patriot

Saturday morning I learned that Kobe Bryant underwent knee surgery and would need eight to twelve weeks to recover. After the initial surprise, I found myself unusually happy about this development.

Given that I’m a Laker fan, you would imagine I’d be concerned to hear that Kobe went under the knife, even if it was only to clear up scar tissue and loose cartilage in his knee. Let me explain. You see, prior to learning of the surgery, I had read that the United States men’s basketball team would be getting together soon to prepare for the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

I’m probably one of the handful of people that still cares about the US basketball team. America loves winners, not underachieving prima donnas. After the dismal sixth-place performance of the US team at the world tournament in 2002, a lot of American basketball fans soured on the team.

Frankly, they weren’t that supportive to begin with as attendance at the tournament in Indianapolis was low. Support for the team took another blow when the 2004 Olympic team became only the third American team (along with the 1972 and 1988 teams) to fail to win gold and ended up with the bronze medal.

But I still care. It’s one of the few things that I actually feel patriotic about. There is a lot to love about the United States, but there is also a lot to be ashamed of. So I’m not always vocal of my support for the US in athletic competitions. In fact, when the United States faces Mexico in a soccer match or little league baseball game, I find myself rooting for my parents’ homeland.

When it comes to basketball though, I want to see the US dominate. I love basketball. Without a doubt it’s my favorite sport to watch and play. I mostly reserve my viewing to NBA basketball rather than college because I want to see the very best in the world. I know that the NBA still features the best players, but when I see the US lose to other countries it makes me wonder. It’d be like being an NFL fan and finding out that the teams in the Canadian league are better.

Even after the sixth place finish in 2002 and the bronze medal in 2004, I was looking forward to seeing the US compete this summer. I was hopeful that with Bryant on the team, the US might win the championship and get the automatic berth for the 2008 Olympics.

But another part of me was worried that Kobe might get hurt during the tournament or the additional wear and tear of playing organized ball over the summer would lead to injury during the regular NBA season. The worry was compounded by the fact that Lamar Odom, the only other legitimate starter on the Lakers, had also been invited to play for the team and might also be exposing himself to injury.

So when I found out that neither Kobe nor Lamar (whose infant son died last month) would be playing for the US, I felt a sense of relief (along with sympathy for Lamar’s loss). As much as I want to see the United States emerge victorious, my sports loyalty will forever remain with only one team: the Los Angeles Lakers.

Besides, the US team will still be very talented as those that have been invited to play for the team include: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Chauncy Billups, Chris Paul, Elton Brand, Michael Redd, and Kirk Hinrich

With so much firepower on the team, the US will undoubtedly still be one of the favorites. Of course I’ll be loyally watching them and rooting for them. But I’ll also be grateful that whatever happens, it won’t adversely affect the Lakers’ chances to make the playoffs next season. Maybe that means I’m not a true patriot. Well, at least I won’t be rooting for Argentina.