Howard hungry for a shot at the gold in Bejing
Could you ever have imagined Team USA losing in the Olympics?
I felt a part of that. I'd see guys during the (NBA) season, and talking to them, they hated losing. I felt like I lost, too.
Dwight, you're the only true center on the roster. Are you concerned about playing too many minutes and the effect it might have on you when the Magic begin their season?
Not really. We also have Chris (Bosh of the Toronto Raptors). We can also go to small lineups.
You essentially have a traveling NBA all-star team. What do you think is the biggest thing when the games begin?
We've really got to be focused over there, and we've really got to keep a level head and stay humble. I think that's the biggest thing, since I started playing with the USA team three years ago, it's making sure all of us stay humble.
What would winning the gold mean?
Winning a world championship for Team USA is for everybody in America. It's not like you're taking it back home and saying, "I got a gold medal." It's, "We got a gold medal." We did it all together. It represents something bigger than yourself.
You are the only player on Team USA who is not represented by Nike. (Howard has a shoe contract with adidas.) In one team photo it appeared you were strategically hiding the adidas emblems on your shoe and shorts. Is this an issue?
I really haven't seen that (photo). It's OK. I'm not really upset about it.
You've been preparing for the Olympics, but what parts of your game are you working on this offseason?
Shooting the ball. .. the biggest thing is confidence. I have to make free throws. I hurt my team by not making free throws. I'm trying to hit my jump shot consistently.
You said last season that you were apprehensive about shooting because you didn't want to keep missing.
I got to shoot it. I will not be afraid to shoot it. If I hope to be the player I think I can be - one of the greatest players - I have to take that step. I'm not worrying about air-balling it.
You've talked about taking your Superman cape with you, just in case Team USA needs more help?
I might. .. just in case I have to break it out. Some teams might have Kryptonite. I might have to block it.
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(c) 2008, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.). Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.
