BEIJING – Among the considerations when packing the world's greatest basketball players for a long road trip is making sure the beds are long enough, the food is bland enough and the egos can fit into the overhead bins.
Of course, it doesn't hurt in an Olympics if the guys can hoop a little, too.
Chris Bosh has plenty of game, but it's only a fraction of what he brings.
"He gets it," is how Jerry Colangelo, architect of Redeem Team, puts it.
Here's what the Lincoln product gets: Climb out of your cozy cocoon and take a look around at the big, big world.
The timeless reach of the Great Wall. Beijing's bold architecture.
Boxing. Tennis.
Michael Phelps' quest for eight medals. Jeremy Wariner, a Dallas-area homeboy.
Chinese fans from here to the sea.
Get this: Most days Dwight Howard rides shotgun on their excellent adventures, but occasionally Bosh goes out unchaperoned, which, if you remember stories of NBA players unofficially sequestered at previous Olympics, is like finding Mark McGwire in the line behind you at Wal-Mart.
Do the locals know who you are, Chris?
"Chris Bosh-u, Chris Bosh-u," Bosh says, mimicking the cries.
"Photo please. Signature."
Bosh isn't as popular here as Kobe or LeBron, but it's not for a lack of trying.
One morning last week, USOC officials had arranged a trip for the men's basketball team to the Great Wall. But there was an early wakeup call and a two-hour bus ride and, well ...
If Bosh's teammates want an idea what the Wall was like, they can find his insights on his fun and clever Web site, www.chris-bosh.com:
Once we got up there, I saw a beautiful view of China. I really don't see how that wall was built because it's on a very steep hill/mountain and it goes as far as the eye can see in both directions.
About 26 centuries in each direction, as a matter of fact. Much of the blog entry reads like a travelogue from your Aunt Sally – "you might be sore the next day so have the epsom salts ready" – and not what you'd expect from a 24-year-old NBA star.
But then, Bosh doesn't seem to understand his celebrity, either.
"When I've asked athletes if I could have my picture taken with them, they've always thought it was funny," he says. "They want their picture taken with me."
Did you have any advice for Phelps?
"What am I going to say to him?" Bosh says. "Swim hard? Win? It's pretty amazing to watch. You have to see it to believe it.
"Nobody can beat him."
You could say the same about Team USA. Colangelo's effort to build a foundation for USA Basketball has resulted in a remarkable turnaround since Athens. And in case you get the idea he's only been sightseeing, Bosh's impact has been significant.
Asked to block shots and rebound, he's also leading all players by shooting 81 percent from the field.
"He's having a good time," Jason Kidd says, "but on top of that, he's playing good basketball."
And he really is having a good time, isn't he?
"I don't know how he has the energy to do all of that," Kidd says, smiling.
"But he's young, I guess."
Young and restless and exactly who you should want representing your country, like the blog tells you:
Everything from the Opening Ceremony to the sporting events to the different venues (has) been spectacular. This is something special and I really feel that way when I see people stand on that podium to receive their Gold Medal. Every time I watch that, I get chills and I hope that I get that chance, too.
Here's to your podium dreams, Chris. Don't forget to smile for the picture.
