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.
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