U.S. still has time to develop cohesion for '08 gold run

	LeBron James and the rest of the U.S. team have a right to be upset ... at themselves. AP

Here's the bright side for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the rest of Team USA this morning: At least they're not playing for China.

"SUICIDE," blared a front-page headline in the Titan Sports newspaper in China after its national team lost to Greece last week in the FIBA world championships.

By comparison, the reaction from American fans to Team USA's loss to Greece on Friday probably won't be nearly so over the top.

Maybe just the usual (and unwarranted) grumbling about selfish NBA stars.

But while nobody will be calling on LeBron, D-Wade or Coach K to commit hara-kiri over their premature exit from this year's WC, make no mistake about it: Friday's loss represents another embarrassing moment for U.S. pro hoops.

Team USA has now failed to win gold at the last three international tournaments. The U.S. might think it invented the game (though Dr. James Naismith was actually born in Canada), but it's clear we no longer own it on the international stage. The U.S. finished sixth at the 2002 WC and third at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

There is a good chance the U.S. won't even take home the bronze at these world championships. Team USA must face Argentina in Saturday's consolation game. Considering Argentina is the defending Olympic gold medalist, the U.S. has to be considered the underdog.