Additional Quotes>> USA Men's Team Opening Ceremonies

London, England • July 28, 2012

Olympians can quickly give a list of memorable moments for their Olympic experience, and while the moments vary athletes to athlete, one answer always there is the Opening Ceremonies.

All of the USA men's basketball players marched in the Olympic Opening Ceremonies last night and USABasketball.com caught up with several to get their thoughts on the big night.

Kobe Bryant
Thoughts about Opening Ceremonies?
It was a huge honor to be there. When you walk into the Stadium with all these athletes – you’re surrounded by so many athletes – you kind of just do a 360-scan of the Stadium and you really kind of get a sense of the magnitude of where you are. It was just fun.

Was it better than your first around?
Both equally. Every time, you kind of get the same sensations.

Does talking to the other athletes, does that re-affirm that you’re part of a big team here and it’s not just a basketball team.
Yes, it does … because you’re around all the US athletes for like five hours. We’re all just kind of hanging out and talking.

Tyson Chandler
On the Opening Ceremonies experience:
It was an incredible experience. I think one that we’ll cherish our entire lives and we’ll definitely look back on the festivities … just being around all the athletes and just knowing that when the torch is lit, the games begin. Very emotional moment.

What was your favorite part of the night?
I think walking in … as soon as we walked into the arena, hearing people chant “USA” … It brings chills to your spine.

Andre Iguodala
Thoughts on the Opening Ceremonies:
It was a good experience. It was a lot of fun hanging with the other athletes. That’s one of those experiences you go through that you’ll never forget and you retell the story?

What was your favorite part about the Ceremonies?
Favorite part was entering the arena and just seeing everything from the crowd, from the stadium. Just the whole spectacle was amazing.

Did the experience reaffim that you’re part of a larger team and not just the basketball team?
That’s the moment when you kind of get excited and you’re ready to get the Games started when you see all the other athletes. For us, this is our job. For them, they have to wait every four years where I don’t have to. I can play ball professionally every day. That just puts into perspective what the Olympics are about.

Chris Paul
Thoughts on Opening Ceremonies:
It’s always an experience … one of the best feelings … the biggest team you’ll ever play on. It’s one of the best things about representing your country.

Was it different than the past or pretty similar?
Somewhat similar. Just knew what to expect a little bit more this time. With anything, there’s nothing like the first time. ’08 was special but 2012 this year was just as special because we have a great group of guys and it’s cool to do it with guys that that are experiencing the Olympics for the first time.

Was meeting the other athletes special?
Yeah, that’s great. Sometimes, you never really get an opportunity to tell someone that you’re a fan of theirs, to really let them know how much you appreciate them. I think that’s one of the most fun things about it too.