From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Americans back atop hoops world
Too bad The Boss never recorded "Born in '04 Athens."
That summarizes the "Bronze Age" of USA Basketball, a lowly third-place finish four years ago that spawned the current generation of committed NBA-superstars-turned-Olympians who now have returned U.S. hoops back to its gold standard.
"It's a great feeling to be champions of the world, and that's what we are Olympic champions," said Deron Williams, the Utah Jazz guard making his Games debut. "It was something we worked hard for, sacrificed a lot for, spent a month away from our families and our kids it's special."
But the golden victory didn't come as easily as expected, especially after the United States had walloped Spain by a 37-point margin eight days earlier in pool play.
In fact, the buzz from other sides and veteran basketball fans called the game the best ever in the Olympics, which U.S. head coach Mike Krzyzewski backed up.
"It was one of the great games in international basketball history," he said. "To win a game like that is the best."
"You've got to tip your hat to Spain they played great," Williams said. "They came out and played their hearts out, and fought and scrapped without Calderon and gave us our first test."
Added U.S./Jazz teammate Carlos Boozer: "We got them when we had to get them, and we won the gold medal. If we didn't get stops, we wouldn't have won it."
Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-7 behind the arc, to lead the United States. Kobe Bryant scored 11 of his 20 points in the final eight-plus minutes, while LeBron James added 14.
Williams finished with seven points, a rebound, and assist and a steal, while Boozer only saw court time in the closing minute.
Spain's team-high 22 from Rudy Fernandez included five 3-pointers, while center Pau Gasol worked inside to add 21.
Recent comments
the referee'ing?? so unlike when the Jazz played the Lakers in the...
Da'MAN | Aug. 28, 2008 at 1:36 a.m.
You messed up in your article. "but Bryant one-upped his Laker...
Brad Williams | Aug. 27, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.
Get Real. Walk up to Boozer and tell him how you realy feel! Let us...
Time to man up! | Aug. 26, 2008 at 4:35 p.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - BYU happy to escape with victory
202 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
150 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
I honestly think Maynor can run the offense better than D-Will.
The fewer languages, the better, so we can all communicate with each other.
congrates to san juan broncos you guys did it won the 2a finals and too the...
to be with your wife and child; he was. He did, and it's his call, his...
The natural phenomenon, "survival of the fittest" found another casualty....
NEVADA'S NONCONFERENCE GAMES: The Wolf Pack's next four games are at UNLV...
If I were a BYU fan I wouldn't be talking. You didn't do any better against...
Boise St is pushing for a BCS, nothing will stand in its way. ESPN is saying...
if they don't play at the tippy-top of their game in BOTH, they'll easily...
How about as recent as last year when the Arizona Cardinals went from being...

