This final between USA and Spain was the match that everyone expected and hoped for before the Olympics even began and it delivered. In the second closest Olympic final ever, the United States men’s basketball team was powered by Kevin Durant’s 30 points to win the game 107-100 and take home to gold medal. Spain was able to absorb some early foul trouble (Marc Gasol has four fouls in the first quarter and a half) and keep the game very close heading into the first half. The US weren’t able to force turnovers and do what they do best, run and gun all the way to the rim using their superior athleticism. Spain would not the US get into the game until late in the fourth quarter, too much Durant the entire game plus clutch contributions from Kobe, LeBron and Chris Paul. LeBron pulled up for a three, making the lead for USA 102-93 with just under two minutes left in the game and you could sense that this game was over. The final buzzer sounded and the entire US team celebrated pretty enthusiastically, everyone dancing around.
Although this United States men’s basketball team didn’t quite live up to the “Dream Team” expectations, they did achieve the goal that they set out before traveling to London and looked like they were really having fun doing so. Even after a slight scare against Lithuania (needing heroics from LeBron to edge them out) it was always evident that this team remained focused on the gold prize at the end of the road. The questions now begin as to how different this team will look for the next summer games in Rio de Janeiro 2016. The only two certain omissions for that team so far are Kobe and Coach K. LeBron doesn’t know if he’ll back. It’s certain that the younger guys will be back and take advantage of a rare opportunity of winning multiple gold medals. That’s pretty far down the line so for now they can continue to celebrate knowing that they contributed to the United States’ overall success in London and making their country proud.
Final medal tally for London 2012
USA – 104 total medals (46 gold, 29 silver, 29 bronze)
China – 88 total medals (30 gold, 27 silver, 23 bronze)
Russia – 83 total medals (24 gold, 26 silver, 32 bronze)
Great Britain – 65 total medals (29 gold, 17 silver, 19 bronze)
Germany – 44 total medals (11 gold, 19 silver, 14 bronze)
Durant is just amazing in the international level offensively. Malone and Durant are just not stopping each other. But cmon, you're calling Pippin and Barkley chump change. Would Lebron be covering Magic? Or are you having CP3 cover a guy 8 inches taller? That's the real strength of 1992 team. They can matchup better against you than you them. The 92 team would just simply wear you out on the inside. They played much more physical back then, compared to the touch fouling of today.
Dwight Howard would be a weakness. It's exactly why Ibaka got no playing time unless forced. Hack a Howard would grind the US team to a halt offensively. I would also go with the 1996 team with Hakeem/Shaq/Robinson/Malone inside game over the current 2012 team too.
As much as it pains me to say it who on the 92 team would be able to guard LeBron/Durant?
And plus a lot of our best players arent even on team USA. All the best players now > 1992
Present > Past
Howard would shut down any big man in the 92 team.
We need a post dedicated to Spain's hotties. They were out of this world in terms of hotness.
The girlfriend wasn't happy I finished in 9.63 seconds.
The game was good. Other than Bolt, this was the only event I rooted against the US. They made ~$240 million last year in salary/endorsements. The other final 7 teams don't match that combined. Also, that shows the 2012 team wouldn't beat the 1992 team. Gasols crushed them inside, you don't think Ewing, Robinson, Malone would do the same?
Its was closer then I expected though.
It was good to see Gasol do work. Lakers are going to own this season.
The US mens basketball team won the gold..what a huge shocker lolol
Olympic medal rankings go by gold medals. Great Britain was 3rd. Germany was 6th, etc. USA started ranking countries by total number of medals only when China started being competitive in the number of gold medals.
after the 22 foul calls in the 10 minute 2nd quarter the game was fun to watch