Howard: Team USA out to win gold in Beijing

By Bill Velasco
Philippine Star
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

MACAU – Team USA starting center Dwight Howard says it no longer matters who the opponent is in the Beijing Olympics. Team USA is playing to win.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Howard said that Team USA had addressed the minor problems that it saw in the FIBA Americas tournament, particularly against Argentina, the only team they weren’t able to blow out of the eliminations. Argentina was playing without its top five players, most notably NBA All-Star Manu Ginobili.

“Our energy was much better, and we became more focused,” Howard told The STAR at the Venetian Arena, site of the NBA China Games in Macau. “The team learned a lot, and we won’t stop until we get our goal.”

The 6’11” center-forward, who is averaging 19.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in the pre-season, said the team chemistry has improved greatly with their exposure in the FIBA-Americas tournament.

“When we’re on our game, it’s no longer about who the opponent is,” said Howard, who entered the draft straight out of high school. “We have the talent, and what’s really good about us is everybody staying healthy.”

The NBA announced that Team USA would play games in Shanghai and Macau prior to the Beijing Olympics, to help the team acclimatize itself to the weather, time difference, and other factors that could affect their play.

“It’s going to be a long summer,” Howard laughed. “And by then, the season hasn’t even started yet!”

The league’s leading rebounder also confided that the Orlando Magic are leaving nothing to chance after their disastrous play-off performance.

“We really can’t forget last season. Being swept in the first round by Detroit left a bad taste in our mouth,” Howard said. “Even with our injuries (to Rashard Lewis and Keyon Dooling), it’s still early. Everybody’s been playing well. We have to take every game seriously.”

Howard also said that he’s been dying to go back to the Philippines since visiting for NBA Madness two years ago.

“I’ve been dying to go back since I left,” he confessed. “If I could, I’d be on the first plane to Manila.”