Before the game between the host Chinese Team and the United States, former NBA star and now renowned commentator Charles Barkley once again issued a warning to the arrogant Dream Team:
"I don't know where our optimism and confidence come from, as this supposedly strongest United States team in the last decade only has two players with championships (Kobe and Prince).
I admit they are young and talented, but don't forget their opponent in the opening game is the Chinese Team, which has the best player in the world today and the strongest center in the league."
As a member of the first Dream Team, Barkley's warning was very subtle.
In fact, if he weren't afraid of boosting others and diminishing his own team's spirit, Barkley would rather say that American Basketball has reached a point where it's simply going through the motions.
It's important to note that, for a long time, the United States team has always been seen as a team with a tradition of having supercenters.
