It's been a long eight years since the USA Men's Basketball team has been the best in the world, but in 2008 USA basketball is back on top. Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James led the USA Men's Basketball team in a win over Spain, 118-107, capturing the gold medal. It was a hard fought game by the surprisingly talented and die-hard Spanish team who made the match run until at least the final two minutes of the game.
"What you saw today was a team bonding together, facing adversity and coming out with a huge win," Bryant said at the press conference.
"If it wasn't for the determination and willpower we had, we wouldn't be back on top of the world, which is where we are," James added.
"We were at America's lowest point," said Anthony, one of four 2008 players who were on the disappointing 2004 team. "To be sitting here tonight, on top of the world, we did a heck of a job of putting American basketball back where it's supposed to be. I'm just so proud right now."
As far as the continuing tradition for the 2012 Olympics in London, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are down to represent again, but for now, the fellas are enjoying their gold.
For the USA Women's Basketball team, as expected, they won gold again. They beat Australia, 92-65, capping off Lisa Leslie's historic Olympic run. She's the only athlete to win four gold medals in four consecutive Olympic Games, and is undefeated in the Olympics. Actually, the last loss that the USA Women's Team suffered was way back in 1992. Since then, the women's team has been 33-0 in the Olympic Games.
"It's a blessing for me to be out on this floor, now participating in my fourth Olympics and walking away with a fourth gold medal," Leslie told the Associated Press.
Leslie scored 14 points in the victory, but fouled out with 6:33 left in the game. By then, the Americans already had the game taken care of.
1. Funny to read that this: "surprisingly talented and die-hard Spanish team ", if it werent cause the Spanish team are the reigning WORLD CHAMPIONS it would have been a real surprise. Thinking that only USA knows how to play basketball has made this team be "titleless" for 8 years. If this medal makes people think that winning is easy again....oh well.
Not to mention the fact that the same rules did not apply for both teams. USA was allowed not to play under FIBA rules when the other team was, too much of an advantage for a team like this, a team that should not need this aids to win....but it was written before the final match. This was the redeem team and they were here to win, no matter how.
Atwim at 9:12AM on Aug 25th 2008