Culminating a three year mission to end years of international frustration, the U.S. "Redeem Team" survived a huge challenge from Spain, winning 118-107 in the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Basketball game. Order has now been restored in international basketball. After overwhelming everyone for seven games, the Americans led by only four points with under 2 1/2 minutes to play. Then, they proved they could handle a close game that it seemed would never come in Beijing. Their prize.... the first U.S. gold medal since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat scored 27 points for the Americans, who found a much gamer Spanish team than the one they humiliated by 37 points earlier in the tournament. NBA MVP Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers added 20 clutch points and led the team with 6 assists. The Americans had too much offense down the stretch. Bryant converted a clutch four point play with 3:10 remaining, holding his finger to his lips to quiet the rowdy Spanish crowd behind the basket. Wade added another 3 pointer that made it 111-104 with just over 2 minutes left, and only then could the Americans relax a little. They began to celebrate during a break after some technical fouls on Spain with 26 seconds left, then partied at midcourt when it was over with “Born in the USA” blaring over the arena’s speakers. Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers scored 22 points and Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers had 21 for the Spanish, the reigning world champions who were hoping to win their first Olympic gold. Now, here's hoping that USA Basketball can keep the core of this group together for the 2010 World Championships in Istanbul and the 2012 Olympics in London. If they can, this team may be able to shed it's "Redeem Team" moniker and fulfill the illustrious "Dream Team" legacy.
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