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BEIJING -- Arm-in-arm, they climbed onto the middle of the medals platform, the spot that for so long was U.S. private property.
Some players flashed their Olympic medals to the crowd. One pretended to take a bite, just to make sure it was real.
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| Even LeBron's smile comes out representing the best basketball team in the world. (Getty Images) |
Culminating a three-year mission to end years of embarrassment, the U.S. team survived a huge challenge from Spain, winning 118-107 in the gold-medal game Sunday.
Order was restored in international basketball.
"Much respect to Spain, but the U.S. is back on top again," LeBron James said at a press conference attended by the entire team.
But not by that much anymore.
After overwhelming everyone for seven games, the Americans led by only four points with under 2 minutes to play. Then they proved they could handle a close game that it seemed would never come in Beijing.
Their prize: the first U.S. gold medal since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Argentina won the bronze with an 87-75 victory against Lithuania.
Dwyane Wade scored 27 points for the Americans, who found a much gamer Spanish team than the one they humiliated by 37 points earlier in the tournament. Kobe Bryant added 20 points.
In a game so devoid of defense that it felt more like an NBA All-Star Game than one with a title at stake, the Americans had too much offense down the stretch. Bryant converted a clutch four-point play with 3:10 remaining, holding his finger to his lips to quiet the rowdy Spanish crowd behind the basket.
Wade added another 3-pointer that made it 111-104 with just over 2 minutes left, and only then could the Americans relax a little.
