Power Grab

Two other U.S. players, reserve guards Dawn Staley and Jennifer Azzi, are every bit as chatty as Edwards and McClain are taciturn. As the Games wound down, Staley likened the Americans' sense of purpose and the resources at their disposal to the space program—so much marshaled to achieve a singular goal.

"I've been in Atlanta for two weeks now," Azzi added. "I can't remember the last time I could say that about one place. This must be home."

Stitch together those two thoughts and there is only one caption for the last event of the Centennial Games. It's a message not appropriate to Dream Teams, only to teams that dream. Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.