As Roger's most important second in command in 2008, Yao Ming's confidence building is crucial.
On the other side, the Dream Team is also extremely eager to win back the world champion title.
It's almost unimaginable, since 2000, the United States team has not won a medal in the world championships—not even a champion, but no medal at all.
This starkly contrasts with the absolute dominance the Dream Team had over world basketball in the 90s.
You know, in the 90s, the Dream Team's tournament outcomes were as stable as the outcomes of South Korean presidents.
Even if the Dream Team members had a match the night before with a lady on the same bed, they could still easily handle their opponents the next day.
But now, things are different.
Just like Coach K said at the inauguration conference: "We have to understand one thing, this is no longer America's sport, but the world's sport."
