So here it is, approaching 2 a.m. New York time, and my body is still on Istanbul time.
Props to Lufthansa for their food. And props to the Turkish Basketball Federation for putting on a good tournament at the World Championship. One of the moments I'll remember best is all the young Turkish volunteers running to the mixed zone interview area, where the players exit the court, after Turkey's thrilling one-point victory over Serbia in the semifinals, breaking into a chorus of "12 Giant Men" -- the team's theme song.
Watched "Zoolander" on the flight back. I highly recommend if you are as much of a Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell fan as I am. Highly recommend. (YouTube clip here. Nice to have YouTube back. It is blocked in Turkey.)
As I noted in my column after the gold medal game, the 2012 London Olympic team will be a hybrid of the 2008 Beijing Redeem Team and the 2010 World Champions.
Here's an early educated guess as to who might be on it:
Guards
Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook.
Forwards
Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony.
Centers
Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez.