By CRAIG DANIELS -- Toronto Sun
  SYDNEY -- Vince Carter's Olympic odyssey comes to an end with a review as mixed as the one his team received -- one that has caused some concern for even NBA commissioner David Stern.

 Carter and the rest of the U.S. men's basketball team flew home last night after winning the gold medal, courtesy of an 85-75 victory over France. It was a game that did nothing to dispel the impression of an American team that was capable of being beaten, even if it was not beaten.

 France trailed by only four with four minutes remaining.

 "One of the things you're dealing with when you're sitting at the top is the world is waiting for an upset," said Stern, commenting particularly in the wake of Lithuania's two-point loss to the U.S. in the semi-final and the American team's overall unpleasant, strutting behaviour throughout the tournament.

 "They're bucking each other up."

 Australian audiences were vocal throughout the tournament about what they perceived -- fairly, most would think -- as unsportsmanlike displays of bravado, frustration and even anger. The Associated Press wire service and several influential U.S. papers, including The New York Times, have justifiably made that behaviour an issue throughout the tournament.

 No one likes a bully, particularly one which proved not to be very good even at the bullying part.

 Vince Carter, who has turned into a Raptor once again and will join the team in Buffalo for training camp beginning Tuesday, certainly played a large role in fostering that impression.

 Carter was probably the best U.S. player on the floor. He led his team in scoring, provided several acrobatic dunks -- including a two-handed, behind-the head stuff near the end last night -- and no one will forget his one-handed splash over France's Frederic Weis earlier in the tournament.

 It is precisely because he is so good that his sideways glances at players and officials, the pointing with his index finger after the narrow win over Lithuania, the shoving, the trash talking and other displays left an impression, one that was not favourable, and one that is in marked contrast to the player who has toiled for Toronto the past two seasons.

 Carter is not a bad person. He has a gentle side, he is intelligent and he can be downright charming and gracious when the mood strikes him -- which is precisely why his displays at the Olympics have caused so many eyebrows to lift.

 Several Torontonians connected with the Canadian Olympic Association or the Canadian Olympic team made just such observations over the past two weeks.

 And it was obvious that Stern noticed, too. Asked specifically if he was concerned about Carter's displays, Stern nodded and took a few careful seconds before forming a reply:

 "As we become more experienced at international play, we'll understand the norms and expectations better," the commissioner said. "Our guys walk into a situation where everyone wants them to lose. They strut for self-affirmation.

 "We'll get better at it."

 Carter, when asked by American reporters about his displays of bravado, instinctively turned defensive; he has always maintained he doesn't care what others think, that he was just playing, just trying to win, and being assertive.

 But it is clear Toronto fans want him to care. His behaviour reflects on the city, fairly or not, and it contrasts mightily with that of Canadian point guard Steve Nash at this same event.

 'REASSESSING'

 Even Stern conceded that displays that are acceptable during an NBA game play differently on the international stage.

 Later, when asked about the behaviour of the U.S. players as a whole, Stern said: "We'll deal with it by reassessing (after the Olympics)."

 Clearly it has become an issue. The league does not want to be represented by the ugly American cliche.

 For Carter, the Olympics have been an unqualified success. He has his gold medal, which he significantly called more important to him than an NBA title.

 "You can only win one of these every four years," he said. "You can potentially win an NBA title every year ... Who knows if I might get this opportunity again?"

 And he has further cemented his reputation as one of the world's best overall young stars and certainly the world's most entertaining player. As for his overall reputation, however, that has shifted during these Olympic Games.

 As he takes on his emerging role as the Raptors leader, that will be watched by fans this season with interest, to say the very least.