By Sportswriter Shan Lei     

    ATHENS, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Just gather a team of NBA players and win an Olympic gold? Not any more, any longer.

    The U.S. lost 89-81 to Argentina in the Olympic men's basketball semi-finals Friday, failing to retain the Olympic gold medal for the third consecutive time.

    The swaggering Americans didn't take notice when the alarm bellrang in the 2002 world championship, where the U.S. finished sixthwith three losses, the first losses since they used professional players in international competitions.

    The success in Olympic qualifiers, however, blinded them again and they thought they could regain the domination of the world with any team from the National Basketball Association (NBA).

    That was part of the reason why Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Vince Carter and Jeromine O'Neal quit the team after a 10-0run in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Ben Wallace rejected the invitations to the Olympics, citing excuses as security problems in Athens, injuries, personal affairs and even fatigue.

    "All of sudden, lots of players canceled. Lots of preparation we've done in Puerto Rico was more or less wasted," said Larry Brown, head coach of the U.S. team.

    Rookies Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were selected into the squad and even UCON's Emeka Okafor, the overall No. 2 pick of this June's NBA Draft, filled into the vacancy left by his ancestors.

    "We have to realize that some other teams are extremely well coached, and they have extremely great players. We've got to thinkabout the people we put on this team, and think about the preparation we need, and give us the best opportunity to play against the great teams," Brown said.

    Before the 2002 world championship, U.S. had won everything in the world-level competitions since they used NBA players to compete in 1992 Barcelona Games.

    They won the Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, the world championships in 1994, and 2001 Goodwill Games with jaw-dropping, keeping a perfect record of 53-0.

    Allen Iverson, one of the three players remaining in the squad after the qualifiers, questioned the attitudes and patriotism of his NBA fellows.

    "We have to understand that we are honored to be selected into this team. It's something you should cherish for the rest of your life," said Iverson, who shot 3-12 to score 10 points.

    "Though we cannot win the gold medal, I still feel like a special player to be selected into the team. You come out here andknowing it. You cannot just show up as a basketball player becauseyou have the 'USA' across your chest."

    U.S. never led after the first quarter in the loss to Argentina,the second as they lost 87-80 in the 2002 Worlds.

    "You're supposed to approach it as an honor. You should feel special because not many people have the chance to be part of this." Enditem