Posted on 08/24/2008 2:12:36 AM PDT by Pinkbell
The U.S. men’s basketball “Redeem Team” ended a frustrating eight-year stretch and regained international basketball prominence by beating Spain 118-107 and winning the gold medal on Sunday.
After winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Games, the Americans missed the podium entirely at the 2002 world championships and settled for bronze after they were knocked out of the semis at the 2004 Athens Games and the 2006 worlds.
Spain made things difficult for the Americans. They came out strong, led for most of the first quarter, and fought to keep within reach for the entire game.
But the Americans managed a 38-31 lead after ten minutes, and 69-61 at the half. The U.S. was a blistering 65 per centy from the field after 20 minutes.
The U.S. was able to shake off every other opponent in the tournament by halftime, but not so on Sunday, as the Spaniards spent most of the third quarter within single digits of the leaders.
In the fourth quarter, Spain was within two points of the U.S., trailing 91-89 with just over eight minutes left, and coming to within four with two minutes left.
American star Dwayne Wade exploded for 27 points, while teammate Kobe Bryant netted 20 points.
Chris Bosh added eight points for the Americans, and is the first Toronto Raptor to win a gold medal since Vince Carter in 2000.
Leading the Spaniards was Rudy Fernandez with 22 points, and Pau Gasol with 21.
Spain played without point guard Jose Calderon in the lineup. He was injured in the team's quarter-final win over Greece and reportedly has suffered a partial tear of his right groin muscle.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
Watched it. Huzzah!!!
I’m very impressed with LeBron James. He’s obviously a spectacular player. Off the court, he handles himself with class.
Too close!!
I’m impressed at the resurgence of Dwayne Wade.
LBJ is mature beyond his years. Great job by all the players.
Much to my surprise, he and Kobe have been class acts during this olympics.
What you are seeing is the influence of coach K.
I’m much more excited about the Men’s Volleyball team winning Gold. To me that win is right up there with the 1980 Hockey team.
This Gold medal was a foregone conclusion, even though Spain did give them a good fight.
There will come a day real soon, when the US will be hard pressed to win in basketball, even with our best players playing and actually taking it seriously.
118 - 107 == 11
It’s not 1992 anymore, the rest of the world is catching up.
And this is very good for all basketball fans.
Actually, the 11 point win is a direct result of the players of the 1992 dream team, Gasol was born in 1980, Rudy in 1985, Rubio 1990, Navarro 1980, so when the Dream Team went to Barcelona and won the gold and the hearts of europe, these kids chose basketball instead of soccer.
And the other thing to consider is the average age of those teams, the 1992 Dream team’s average age was 29.5 years old, where the 2008 team’s average was 26. In addition (except for Christian Latener), there was no player on the 1992 team under the age of 26.
The US will eventually become to Basketball, what Brazil is to soccer. A favorite to win ever international tournament, but not a major upset when it loses in the Finals or Semi-finals.
Did anyone notice how dirty the U.S. team was playing, especially in the first half. They were purposefully slapping at the other player’s wrists and shoving them in the back.
At one point in the game on a rebound attempt, the young Spain player named Ricky was covering his face expecting to get elbowed.
Or is this the way basketball is played these days. If so and I was a couch, I’d be sending in players to take out the other team, send in enforcers like in hockey. Send in a guy that would get fouled out but that the team could spare.
Anyone have any insight on this?
You of all people bitching about "dirty play" is hilarious.
You could try answering the question. Is that type of play normal for basketball.
Also, I know in the NBA that “step” “traveling” has been eliminated. Was traditonial “traveling” still in effect under Olympic rules?
Still trying to figure you out and wondering if you are going find something politically evil in these simple questions. I guess some people are just fanatics.
I watched the basketball game from beginning to the end...I went to bed in the early morning hours. But, no regrets. It was a great game.
I even waited for the medal ceremony...It was the first time that I watched the ceremony from the beginning. I found the ceremony to be moving. Names of each US players were announced as they got the gold medals. Then the national anthem...
Many of those US players may retire from basketball without ever winning NBA championship...But, they could be
forever proud for the gold medals...
Coach K graduated from West Point...That’s what I heard.
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