Team USA capture the gold medal of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing
The U.S. have reached the end of the road to redemption. They defeated Spain in the finals 118-107, reclaiming the gold medal. They have proved to the world they are the champions of international basketball.
This was undoubtedly the closest Olympic basketball game this summer, and the most intense. Throughout the entire game, both teams remained close. Only until the final minutes of the game did the U.S. lock their lead and victory.
Kobe Bryant wins his first gold medal in the Olympics
Dwyane Wade scored a game high 27 points with 5 rebounds. He made seven straight field goals, shooting four out of seven threes. Kobe led second in scoring for the U.S. with 20 points, hitting a clutch three-pointer in the fourth to make a 4-point play.
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the two star-players of the U.S., encountered early foul trouble as they picked up two each in the first quarter. Afterwards, several fouls were called against several players on both teams. Throughout the whole game, fouls were called left and right. The issue of inconsistency amongst refs has been a major problem in the Olympics. And it proved to be in this game.
I was extremely nervous watching the game. Spain always seemed to be right behind the U.S. whenever they scored. Spain was not the same team the U.S. played in the preliminaries. Instead of a 37-point blowout, the U.S. only beat Spain by 9 points. Rudy Fernandez led Spain in scoring with 22 points; Pau Gasol had 21 points and 6 rebounds. I won’t forget Juan Carlo Navarro who played a tremendous game as well. He recorded 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Kobe vs Pau, teammates of the LA Lakers
LeBron James stepped up as the leader in the Olympics this year, and did a damn good job. D-Wade was a scoring machine, leading the team in scoring throughout the Olympics. Jason Kidd improves his stellar record to 56-0. The entire U.S. roster played a crucial role in their victory of the gold.
This wraps up the U.S. basketball team of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. We have accomplished our mission. The United States of America has reestablished dominance in basketball globally. Props to Coach K for coaching the team and leading them in their road to redemption. Only four more years until the next Olympics. Hopefully we’ll defend our title as the champions of the world in basketball once again.
GO TEAM USA!!!!
congratulations from Spain!
I wake up early this sunday morning (game started at 08:30am spain time) and I didn’t expected such an intense and thrilling game
really, it was an impressive game! I believe nobody here (or at least the vast majority of spanish people) thought about winning, but the spanish team did a huge effort to chase the final victory
Furthermore, I must say that the USA Basketball team did not need “the help” of the referees. The competition was based on FIBAs rules and you’re guys did a lot of travelling violations (talking in general terms, not just in this final game, but during the whole competition as well) that weren’t penalized…
great game anyway
greetings from Barcelona!
By: albert on August 24, 2008
at 5:45 AM
Now that the Gold Metal has come back to the U.S., the debate begins, who is better team: The 1992 Dream Team or this years Redeem Team? You decide.
By: on August 24, 2008
at 12:45 PM
The US team looks real good. But the rest of the world is catching up. In 2012 it could be a different story.
By: Travis Outlaw on August 24, 2008
at 12:56 PM
The injuries, Fran Vasquez absence, the refs and Kobe all in turn jipped Spain. Spain could and should have won that one. If one did not look at the score, one would think that Spain won, but in any case it was a great game. With a developed Rubio Spain will be golden in London unless the Greek young players develop by then.
By: Lenny Wilkens on August 27, 2008
at 6:32 PM
Lenny Wilkens I think you mean the absence of jose calderon because he was injured for the game. Fran Vasquez didn’t make the Spainish national team because he has been playing badly for his team FC Barcelona. Another Spanish player absent from Spanish national team was Portlands sergio rodriguez.
By: Travis Outlaw on August 27, 2008
at 9:35 PM
blah blah blah excuses excuses
keep the list rolling…
By: joe mo on August 29, 2008
at 9:15 AM
That was insightful and interesting..check this out
By: Sammy on August 30, 2008
at 10:14 PM
Thanks to Mr. Bryant for saving the day.
AGAIN……..
Without Kobe, Lebron and D-Wade have another Olympic failure.
Kobe Bryant won the Gold Medal for this team scoring 13 points and had his hand in 18 points in the final 8 minutes after Team USA only led by 2.
You failed to mention that little fact.
As for leader? There is a vocal leader, which is one that rouses his team up. Like Lebron.
Then there is a soul leader like Bryant who leads by example. Who’s focus, and intensity is contageous and takes over.
“The things he does out there, they’re not about putting the ball in the basket,” said Carmelo Anthony. “They’re about his presence.”
Just like he took over when it counted.
“He gives it his all on every second of every play. You see that and you’re like, you’ve got to do the same thing,” said center Chris Bosh. “You see a guy playing that hard, you’ll do anything not to let him down.”
Just like Jason Kidd said after the Gold Medal game when Kobe took over.
“Kobe, he’s a special player. He’s the best player on the planet right now,” said point guard Jason Kidd, who saw similar feats when he and the New Jersey Nets were swept by Bryant and the Lakers in the 2002 NBA Finals.
“Kobe loves that situation. If he has the ball and we need a basket, we know we can count on him.”
By: on September 10, 2008
at 6:38 AM