Yolanda and the U.S. women played some tough, tough defense against New Zealdn on Saturday, while Dawn compared carrying the flag to ... exchanging vows? (Mark Dadswell, Stuart Franklin/NBAE Images)

(Today, I watched women's basketball at the Helliniko Indoor Arena, a cozy arena that gets loud very quickly. Should make for some interesting qualifying-round games when the competition heats up. Anyway, here's a quick report from the U.S.-New Zealand women's game. Tomorrow, I'll cover what should be a spirited men's triple-header: China vs. Spain, Argentina vs. Serbia & Montenegro, and Puerto Rico vs. the U.S.)

Upon first glance, the "99" might be the first thing to grab you. As in, "the U.S. thumped New Zealand, 99-47 on Saturday." But far more impressive than the 2000 gold-medal-winners' offensive output was the United States' swarming defense against the Kiwis. After New Zealand jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, Lisa Leslie and company quickly turned up the intensity against their first-game opponents, holding them to 40 points the rest of the way.

So is defense what gets this team going? Tina Thompson would say so.

"Oh yeah. (Defense) is how we start everything," Thompson said after the game. "Of course, we can play offense. Every player on this team is probably the leading scorer on their WNBA teams. But when you see players diving after loose balls late in the game, that tells the story of how selfless our defense is."

Rookie Diana Taurasi agrees that shutting down other teams is what's going to carry the U.S. through this tournament.

"Defense carries every team," said Taurasi. "We're talented enough offensively, but we need to focus on controlling the boards and limiting the other team's shots."

And guard Sue Bird would argue that a smothering team D is to America what ouzo is to Greece.

"The U.S. definitely has a history, a legacy, of playing good defense," said Bird. "It's always been about defense; defend the passing lanes, watch the kick-outs. We'll always be able to score. But when we hold other teams on defense; that's when we beat people."

Bird and company's next chance to lay down some clampdown? Monday at 7:30 a.m. ET against the Czech Republic.

The Rings or a Ring?
After Saturday's game, point guard Dawn Staley was still beaming about her selection as flag-bearer during Friday night's Opening Ceremonies. So what does she think about the honor now that she's had a day to reflect? That the Olympic rings, and not an engagement ring, might be the thing.

"Now, I'm not married, but (carrying the flag) must feel really similar to walking down the aisle," Staley said on Saturday. "Everyone's watching you, and there's just all this attention focused on you."

Staley paused for a second before finishing her thought.

"Maybe now I won't get married."

Nearing 40, Aussie hoops legend Andrew Gaze is still giving hoops "a runaround." Just not in Athens. (NBAE Images)

While waiting for Saturday's U.S.-New Zealand women's game to start, I bumped into Aussie hoops legend Andrew Gaze. Here's what the five-time Olympian had to say about the U.S., rising stars and Gaze-brand athletic footwear.

Who do you see as the favorites to win the men's basketball gold?
Gaze: "To me, there's no question that the U.S. are the favorites. Everyone's making a big deal about their hiccup against Italy, but you look at their talent and they've clearly got a wide margin over everyone else. Plus, they've been getting better and better along the way. It's just hard to see who's going to beat them."

So who do you like after the U.S.?
Gaze: "There's really a bunch of teams after that. Spain is a very good team, and Argentina is outstanding. Serbia & Montenegro is missing a few key players, but they're still extremely strong. And you certainly shouldn't dis-count Australia. Then Lithuania was outstanding in winning the qualifiers. There are just so many teams bunched up after the U.S."

Do you think there are any players who could use this Olympics to make a name for themselves?
Gaze: "I think there's a lot. But from an Australian point of view, one great emerging player is Andrew Bogut. He's going to start for the team at just 19 years of age. He's an awesome talent, and he did great in the junior championships, where Australia won the gold."

So why aren't you playing this year?
Gaze: "Well, I've had a good run. After five Olympic games, it gets to the point where you've had your turn and it becomes time to give someone else a chance. With me there, it's just hard to find someone else to take the lead on the team. Plus, I wasn't getting any younger."

But you're still playing?
Gaze: "Just. (Laughs.) My next season in Australia starts in eight weeks, so I'm going to have another runaround. But the end is near. I'm 39!"

I noticed you're wearing your own "Gaze" shoes ...
Gaze: "Yeah, they're with a discount department store chain that does a volume business. I decided to try and give a go at releasing an affordable line of performance products at a reasonable price."

Lastly, given that you've been to five Olympics, what are your favorite events to watch?
Gaze: "All of them, really. In fact, the obscure events are the best, because the Olympics brings out so much spirit and passion in all of the athletes. Coming from Australia, it's great to watch swimming. Probably because we're so good at it. But then watching track is great too. Watching on TV is one thing, but then you see the 10,000 meters in person and you're just in awe. They sprint the entire way."

A timely banner; fans line the streets to welcome the torch's return to town. (NBAE Images)

There's traffic here. But it's no worse than, say, the Lincoln Tunnel; and not even at rush hour.

It's hot here, but it doesn't seem any worse than Atlanta or Washington, D.C. in the summer.

And yes, machine-gun-toting soldiers are everywhere. But security for the upcoming U.S. election probably won't be much different.

After a full 24 hours on the ground in Athens, the horror stories about the city's preparedness are, so far, unrealized. Granted, this is the first Olympics I've been to, so I don't have a basis of comparison. But the city and its inhabitants seem ready, if not downright optimistic, for what's taking place here this summer ... if Frank the taxi driver is to be trusted, that is.

"It's great to have (the Olympics) back," said Frank, while driving me to the main press center this morning. "We're ready. Plus, look at all these new (highways). These were all put here for the Olympics. It's like America now."

Frank used to own a gas station on Long Island, so he's qualified to make these comparisons. He's not qualified to talk hoops, though. He wasn't familiar with Tim Duncan, Lebron James or even Greek hoops legend Fragikos Alvertis. (He was still positively bubbly about his country's recent triumph in the European soccer championships, however. But that's another story.)

Taxi drivers and their inquisitive fares aren't the only ones ready for the start of the Games. In fact, there might not be any single American athlete more excited -- and nervous -- about tonight's Opening Ceremonies than the WNBA's Dawn Staley. Staley was chosen to carry the flag for the U.S. tonight. At a USA Basketball staff and player meeting last night, she received a tremendous ovation from everyone in the room. Staley looked a little shy about the honor. Or maybe it was Katie Smith's loud whooping that made her appear a little sheepish. Either way, her peers couldn't have selected a better person to represent their country.

And, as it turns out, Staley won't be the only basketball player carrying her or his country's flag tonight. Pro hoopsters Carlos Arroyo (Puerto Rico), Dejan Bodiroga (Serbia & Montenegro), Yao Ming (China), Saulius Stombergas (Lithuania), and Angelo Victoriano (Angola) will all be carrying their countries' flags during the Opening Ceremonies.

It should be quite a night for global hoops. I'll be at tonight's opening ceremonies, so check back to see who received the biggest reception at the stadium. Ciao for now.