From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: D-will trey helps ignite U.S. basketball victory
But that's just what Deron Williams did Wednesday night at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, helping to advance the undefeated Americans to Friday's semifinals to face Argentina.
And if the USA-Argentina semifinal pairing sounds familiar well, remember it was Argentina that downed the United States in the 2004 Athens Games' semifinals en route to a gold medal, with the Americans settling for the bronze.
Against Australia, Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 25 points as one of six U.S. players to score in double figures. He was joined by LeBron James (16), Carmelo Anthony (15) and Williams and Chris Bosh, who both finished with 10 points.
Besides his point production, Williams added three rebounds, three assists and a steal. His U.S. and Utah Jazz teammate, Carlos Boozer, contributed four points and two boards.
After leading just 25-24 after the first period, the United States jumped out to double-digit margins in the second quarter, only to have the Aussies cut into their deficit just before intermission.
"D-Will hits the shot at the end of the half, and we took the momentum from there and we ran away with it," Boozer said.
"It was a little momentum-builder for us," admitted Williams, saying he was unsure if he should try to drive or pull up for a shot until he keyed off his defender.
"He kept backing up, and I just rose for the 3," he said, adding that he prefers shooting rather than slicing and dicing. "Usually a jump shot is better it's what you practice more of. If I can get my feet set, I'd rather do that any time."
Australia did most of its damage from the outside, as Patrick Mills, Glen Saville and Joe Ingles combined to hit 7 of 10 from beyond the arc, with Mills finishing with a team-high 20 points.
But adding injury to insult for the Aussies was the fact that center Andrew Bogut was hampered with two quick fouls and a first-half ankle injury that forced an early exit.
Recent comments
I think this was the motto for the Chinese team. I am amazed...
Beijing!!! Earn some Bling Bling | Aug. 22, 2008 at 1:18 a.m.
Probably not to many of you remember 'Jim thorp' he was the native...
lenn | Aug. 21, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.
Great US team. Kobe and James are the best. Good luck guys and go...
Gold | Aug. 21, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
- Dealing with pet ear injuries 2:34 p.m.
- Smooth talk wrinkles mall walk 2:32 p.m.
- School treasures discovered in attic 2:26 p.m.
- BYU leads UNM 17-7 at half 1:50 p.m.
- Snowstorm hits Utah; 1 dead 1:11 p.m.
- GameDay in Fort Worth 1:10 p.m.
- NASA sets Monday shuttle launch 11:53 a.m.
- WVC robberies investigated 11:41 a.m.
- Funeral today for Utah soldier 11:16 a.m.
- Vaccination clinic set in St. George 11:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Woods Cross refinery to shut down
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
352 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
164 - Will state consider gay rights law?
146 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
118 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
104 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
No One Cares. Just like the UFL No One Cares.
Half of our debt is from Bush's tax cuts for the rich that we couldn't...
Looks twice as slower then in normal. According to BYU fans (including...
So you say that the Founding Fathers were good, God-fearing people...who...
does anyone else find this fishy
Tell me it ain't so, struggling against 0-8 Lobos? Please BYU win, I...
Lots of selfish play by the Utes (Brown and Henderson were the worst two)...
If it *was* a revelation, the Lord took his own sweet time correcting this...
I small vision of the future of Obamacare!
Maybe dog owners should be required to carry special insurance that covers...

