TIM HOWARD: Yes, USA Olympic stars like LeBron James and Noah Lyles ARE arrogant. So what? It propels us to greatness... And why it's time to lay off Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting

TIM HOWARD: Yes, USA Olympic stars like LeBron James and Noah Lyles ARE arrogant. So what? It propels us to greatness..

. And why it's time to lay off Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting READ MORE: USA basketball fans declare Olympics semifinal best game EVER READ MORE: Inside the NEXT Olympic Games held in Los Angeles in 2028 By Tim Howard Published: 08:39 EDT, 10 August 2024 | Updated: 08:49 EDT, 10 August 2024 e-mail View comments I played at the World Cup and in the Champions League and for one of the biggest teams in sports, Manchester United . But only once in my career did I really feel: this is a once in a life-time opportunity.

That was in 2000, when I was part of Team USA at the Sydney Olympics. I was only 21 but, even at that age, I remember thinking just how enormous and special it was. It wasn't like representing the USMNT – which I did 121 times.

Over in Sydney, I felt part of something bigger. Something very powerful. I remember hearing guys on the 1992 ‘Dream Team’ say similar: Yes you can win an NBA championship.

Yes, you can win MVP. But a gold medal? That’s different. The current USA basketball team is one game away from gold and their own piece of history.

LeBron James and Co have come under fire in Paris – for staying in a luxury hotel rather than the Olympic village, for enjoying a party before their quarterfinal. And for narrowly beating Serbia. LeBron James and USA basketball have a chance for Olympic gold later on Saturday DailyMail.

Com columnist Ti.