USA Returns To Gold Standard

Redeem Team, indeed.

After eight long years, the United States returned to its customary place atop the basketball world, winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics with an emotional and hard-fought 118-107 victory over determined Spain.

After knocking off its first seven foes by an average of more than 30 points, the Americans found themselves in a one-possession game in the fourth quarter against the 2006 World Champions, who had lost to the USA by 37 points in group play but showed plenty of character and heart in this contest. Then the U.S. began displaying some redeeming qualities of its own.

The leader was NBA MVP Kobe Bryant, who simply took over. After Spain closed to 91-89, he made a tough runner, found Deron Williams for a 3-pointer, added another hoop and broke up an alley-oop pass to rebuild the lead to 105-94. When the margin dwindled again to four points, Bryant stuck in the dagger, draining a 3-pointer and drawing a foul for a 108-99 bulge with 3:10 to go.

Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, Bryant added 20 and LeBron James 14 for the U.S., which had not won gold since the 2000 Olympics. The Americans failed to medal at the 2002 World Championships and received bronze at the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Championships, prompting an overhaul of USA Basketball.

Rudy Fernandez scored 22 points, Pau Gasol added 21 and Juan Carlos Navarro 18 for Spain, which only lost to the U.S. in this tournament and claimed a silver medal to match its best Olympic showing (1984).

McMenamin: U.S.A.’s ’Practice’ Near Perfection Against Canada | Box Score | Recap

2008 Olympic Basketball Tournament Preview

The 2008 Olympic Draw took place Saturday, April 26 in Beijing. Nine out of the 12 qualified teams were split into two groups that will compete in preliminary round play from Aug. 10-18. The three remaining slots in the competition will be determined in a 12-team tournament held in Greece from July 14-20 ... Read More

MEN'S SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM
Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 Denver Nuggets	Carlos Boozer F 6-9 Utah Jazz	Chris Bosh F 6-10 Toronto Raptors	Kobe Bryant G 6-6 Los Angeles Lakers	Dwight Howard F-C 6-11 Orlando Magic	LeBron James F 6-8 Cleveland Cavaliers
Jason Kidd G 6-4 Dallas Mavericks	Chris Paul G 6-0 New Orleans Hornets	Tayshaun Prince F 6-9 Detroit Pistons	Michael Redd G 6-6 Milwaukee Bucks	Dwyane Wade G 6-4 Miami Heat	Deron Williams G 6-3 Utah Jazz

TEAM USA COACHING STAFF
Name	Position	Team/Univ
Mike Krzyzewski	Head Coach	Duke University
Jim Boeheim	Assistant Coach	Syracuse University
Mike D'Antoni	Assistant Coach	New York Knicks
Nate McMillan	Assistant Coach	Portland Trail Blazers

TEAM USA HISTORY

Hoopedia: USA Senior National Team (Men) 2007: Gold at FIBA Americas 2006: Bronze at FIBA World Championship 2004: Bronze at Athens Summer Olympics 1992: Gold at Barcelona Summer Olympics 15-Year Anniversary: Chuck Daly reflects on the original Dream Team

NBA TV BROADBAND VIDEO

Road to Redemption by Nike, Full Episode 5 U.S. team members are united by a single goal: win a gold.  Episode 4 | Episode 3 | Episode 2 | Episode 1

USABASKETBALL.COM

Home Page Senior Men U.S. Team Stats Olympics Facts

TRAINING AND COMPETITION SCHEDULE

June 28-29: Las Vegas, Nev.

Mini Camp

July 21-25: Las Vegas, Nev.

Training Camp: July 21-24 USA vs. Canada: July 25 (8 p.m. ET) - State Farm USA Basketball Challenge at Thomas & Mack

July 26-Aug. 1: Macao, China

USA vs. Turkey: July 31 (8 a.m. ET) USA vs. Lithuania: Aug. 1 (8 a.m. ET)

Aug. 2-6: Shanghai, China USA Basketball International Challenge

USA vs. Russia: Aug. 3 (3 a.m. ET) USA vs. Australia: Aug. 5 (8 a.m. ET)

Aug. 8-24: Beijing, China 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

vs. China: Aug. 10, 10:15 a.m. ET vs. Angola: Aug. 12, 8 a.m. ET vs. Greece: Aug. 14, 8 a.m. ET vs. Spain: Aug. 16, 10:15 a.m. ET vs. Germany: Aug. 18, 8 a.m. ET Quarterfinals: Aug. 20 Semifinals: Aug. 22 Finals: Aug. 24

OLYMPICS GROUPS
GROUP A	GROUP B
Argentina Australia Croatia Iran Lithuania Russia	Angola China Germany Greece Spain U.S.A.