US Men's Basketball Team Wins Gold

"Redeem Team" Lives Up to Name and Avenges Disappointing 2004 Games
© Daniel Gilland

After an embarassing showing at the 2004 Summer Olympics which featured the United States team taking home a disappointing bronze medal, the NBA set out to revive Olympic basketball in the country. What resulted was a team which dominated the rest of the world arguably unlike any prior squad.
2008 USA Team Finds Intense Defense and Teamwork to be Main Keys

The United States improved on a dismal defensive performance in the previous Summer Games. The team held opponents to an impressive 40.3% field goal percentage. While exhibiting that stingy defense, the team of NBA stars shot a tidy 55% from the field. Keying the efforts at both ends of the courts was Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who shot a scorching 67% from the field, while snatching 2.6 steals per game, as well.
USA Returns to Familiar Position Atop World

In the five Summer Olympics held since the International Olympic Committee first allowed NBA players to compete in the Games, the USA has won gold every year but 2004. For LeBron James, the team's performance officially vaults it back to the top of the world basketball picture. "Much respect to Spain, but the U.S. is back on top again," James said after the gold-medal round against the European team.
USA Players Prove that Superstars Can Coexist

The USA's supremacy over international competition in talent has rarely ever been in question. What has been debated is whether or not a team of twelve high-scoring, multi-million dollar professional athletes. Early on in the Beijing Olympics, however, the USA silenced the many skeptics with an array of teamwork through pick-and-rolls, alley oops, and balanced scoring throughout the roster. All five of the team's starters reached double figures in scoring in the gold-medal game. In each of its eight games, the United States accumulated more assists than its opposition, underscoring a newfound national emphasis on passing and team play.
USA Coach Sees Gold Medal As Biggest Accomplishment

United States head coach Mike Krzyzewski has, to say the least, led a legendary coaching career. The Duke University coach has carried his NCAA team to three national championships and ten conference championships in 28 seasons at the school. However, when asked to compare his new Olympic gold medal with his previous collegiate championships, Krzyewski was blatant. "This tops everything I'v ever accomplished. There's no bigger achievement than to win a gold medal for your country," Coach Krzyewski said in a post-game press conference.

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