Dream teams—they’ve been talked about in every sports bar throughout the country. Basketball aficianados sitting around savoring the idea of gathering the United State’s best athletes and having them compete internationally.

Well sports fans, dream no longer. U.S. professionals are now eligible to compete around the world thanks to the International Amateur Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) decision to allow pros to participate in global competition. The vote passed by an overwhelming 56-13 tally.

However, the red, white and blue of the U.S. voted against the issue. Actually it was the U.S. Basketball Federation (ABA/USA) that did not look favorably upon the decision.

Now that the possibility of putting the National Basketball Association’s best players on the court against guys with names like Klovsvica, Svcarloff and Krdsvca, what are the pros and cons of such a situation—or should I say domination?

According to an Associated Press survey of 295 NBA players, 58 percent said they would be in favor of playing in the Olympics. However, let it be known right now that Chicago’s own Michael Jordan said he would not play for the U.S. But don’t forget Air Jordan earned his Gold Medal in the 1984 Olympics.

I’m sure Michael J., being the golfer he is, would rather work on the consistency of his long irons than his help-side defense.

There are, though, other well-known slamsters who would jump at the chance to “go for the gold.” Unfortunatley, I don’t think their on-the-spot decisions were thought out.

Take note—an aspiring Olympian playing in the NBA finals would have about a month off before the 1992 games begin in Barcelona. However, that month is not going to be spent laying around. That brings up the problem of transition from NBA to USA.

I don’t want to see the Olympics being treated as another All-Star game. Guys who show up looking to slam-jam their way to the Gold Medal. The only thing missing would be a red, white and blue money ball in the three-point shooting contest.

How can the U.S. treat the issue of pro selection and amateur selection for our country’s representation? Can U.S. amateurs play on the same team as the pros? Will there be team unity, a sense of cohesion—or will there be a divsion? Example: “… and for the United State of America, at guard, AN AMATEUR from Grand Rapids, Michigan….”

There are still many questions unanswered. Questions that have to be answered in order for this whole ordeal to work. We cannot let anyone be cheated by this decision to allow pros into the Olympics.

One thing that we as sports fans will be cheated out of is the “Cinderella Story” teams. Remember the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that upset the USSR for the gold. If you do, then you’ll remeber how it felt for the underdog to pull off the unbelievable. I think Al Michaels is still shivering from the whole incident.

But with pros, the USA will become the target team in the major sports—the team expected to win, the team expected to dominate. How much more punishment can the USA dish out?

The U.S. basketball team has a record of 84-2 in Olympic competition. The losses came in the ‘72 final and the ’88 semi-final. And the games leading up to the ‘88 semi-final had the USA winning by an average of 35 points per game.

I’m not sure, but from a basketball point of view, it all seems pretty sadistic. Then again, seeing the NBA’s greats with gold medals, rather than gold chains, around their necks would be refreshing.