The history of New Orleans is unfortunately effected hurricane Katrina. Three years ago, the city was destroyed, lot of people died, and lost everything. At one stage, sport is not important comparing with these disaster; nevertheless, the healing power of sports can push a city to rebuild itself.

In 2006, the Saints returned to New Orleans. The atmosphere, the momentum and the emotions led the team to an unbelievable season. The Saints advanced to the NFC Championship game, and helped the city to believe in the rebirth. A young although talented group of players represented an example for the community and head coach Sean Payton was named AP NFL Coach of the year. 

A state where basketball legend is built around stories like the Hoosiers one; a state where Friday night hoops are as important as government issues; a state capital, where the team has not won the NBA title yet; and it seems that the upcoming season won’t bring the first title to the Conseco Fieldhouse.

After trading Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors, the Pacers are officially under rebuilding at full terms. They tried to postpone this situation during the previous seasons; nevertheless, the O’Neal’s move finally opens a new way at Indiana. 

Definitely, we all love redemption stories. We only have to take a look back to the Olympic basketball tournament to understand about what I’m talking about.

Finally, USA Basketball clinched the gold medal, recovering their site on the top of world of basketball. After struggling in recent championships, USA Basketball played with pride and aggressiveness pushed by the aim of the redemption. 

It’s not a secret that there is plenty of talent overseas. Since many years ago, the overall level outside the States has had a tremendous development.

The Olympics finally crowned USA Basketball as champions.

All the American players had a nice performance according to what was expected from them before the tournament. Apart from the USA Basketball march to the gold medal, there have been a lot of interesting stories around the tournament. Let’s rank the best performances among the international players.

The unique team remaining at Canada is facing this season a big challenge: advance through the NBA Playoffs. The Raptors has shown ha huge improvement the previous couple of seasons, but they have struggled in the postseason. 

In 2007, after clinching the Atlantic division title and getting the home court advantage for the first round, the Nets hold them off in six games. Last year, Orlando Magic defeated them in the first round after six games too, despite things were different throughout the regular season.

The Spanish National Team did their best, and forced USA Basketball to bring all their weapons to the table in order to avoid a tremendous upset. The world champions, lead by an outstanding Pau Gasol, put all their hearts on the court. Two days after "the great gold medal game ever" the whole country is proud of this group of players, who nearly touched the Beijing’s heaven.

Back on the 90’, the Utah Jazz were perennial contenders. Future hall of famers such as John Stockton and Karl Malone leaded them to back-to-back NBA Finals. Only Michael Jordan and his Bulls separated them from the title. 

After Stockton’s and Malone’s retirement, the Jazz faced a forced process of rebuilding: a hard and long process. Teams have to take good draft decisions, make good moves and be patient. They also have to be lucky.

As all the analysts expected, USA Basketball will face Spain in the Olympics Gold Medal match. The United Stated advanced to the final after beating the defending champion Argentina by 101-81. On the other hand, Spain defeated Lithuania in a heartbreaker game by 91-86.

The United States reaches the final unbeaten, and they have won their games by an overall difference of more than 25 points. Spain, is having an irregular performance during the tournament. The current World Champions have not showed the way of playing that allowed them to clinch the Naismith Trophy couple of years ago.

Nowadays it’s tough to build a dynasty in American Sports. Time of Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers expired decades ago. The salary cap, the increasing of the level and the free agency makes very hard to keep a bunch of talented players for a long term.

The San Antonio Spurs are the exception. The Texan Franchise has won four NBA titles in ten years; three out of last six, but they really struggled in Western Conference Finals, and there are doubts on them for the upcoming season.

Is their dynasty really over?