While it was the match-up that everyone expected prior to the London Olympics beginning, both teams took different paths to reaching the coveted Gold Medal game. While Spain, featuring more than 9 players with NBA experience, lost 2 games in the preliminary round before besting Russia for a chance at winning Gold, Team USA cruised into the contest with an unblemished 5-0 record, winning by an average of more than 30 points per game.
Many feared that USA’s lack of an inside presence, outside of NBA Defensive POY Tyson Chandler in the middle, could somehow derail the Americans in their quest for our 14th Gold Medal in Mens Olympic Basketball. That fear became a reality as Spain’s 7-foot Gasol brothers had their way inside, in spite of Marc Gasol picking up 4 fouls by early in the 2nd quarter.
The score at halftime was way too close, with USA holding only a 59-58 lead. Juan Carlos Navarro’s hot shooting and surprising 19 first half points kept Spain within striking distance the entire half. Lakers forward Pau Gasol scored 13 points to start the 3rd, helping Spain take a couple small leads and stay within 1 point heading into the final quarter. Things got a bit worrisome for Team USA as Lebron James was forced to the bench with 4 fouls but Chris Paul took over the tempo of the game, scoring 5 straight and Kevin Durant nailed two treys, before Lebron returned with a dunk and key 3 pointer with a minute and a half remaining.
Coach K may have emptied the bench a bit prematurely as super subs Andre Iguodala, James Harden, and Anthony Davis had trouble containing the Spaniards in the final minute. In addition, USA missed several free throws down the stretch to see the lead squeezed to within 6 points in the final 20 seconds before regaining composure to secure a US victory.
Team leading scorers Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant led a 4 pronged offensive attack with Durant once again impressing everyone with a game high 30 points and 9 rebounds, Lebron adding 19 pts and 7 boards, Kobe netting 17 points, Chris Paul tallying 11 points and 3 steals, and Melo adding 8 points and 4 rebounds. Kevin Love was also extremely effective in helping contain the vaunted Spain front-court, tallying 9 points and 9 rebounds.
For Spain, Pau Gasol was in “Beast Mode” adding 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, brother Marc Gasol totaled 17 points, Navarro added 21 points, and Rudy Fernandez and Serge Ibaka netted 14 and 12 respectively. One had to wonder if the game would have been a little closer if the injured Ricky Rubio had been available.
While this Gold Medal Game was much closer than the 11 point win by the USA over Spain in Athens 2008, this year’s 7 point win ranked as the 2nd closest final ever behind Russia’s controversial 1 point win over USA in 1972. Coach K finishes with an amazing 62-1 record at the helm of Team USA, including an unbelievable 50 game winning streak. He will undoubtedly be missed in 2016 in Rio as will Kobe, who has promised everyone he will retire in 2 seasons after his NBA contract with the Lakers is finished.
You can check out ESPN’s Jalen Rose breaking down the Gold Medal Game Here.
Here’s a Few Pics from the Gold Medal Game Celebration:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, ?in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
