Global warning: U.S. stars dominate
So, this is what a gold medal looks like.
For USA Basketball, the top step on the podium has been mostly a foreign place this decade. On Sunday, the Americans were reminded of what the experience is like and are hoping their gold-medal performance at the FIBA Americas Championship is a prelude to the bigger prize, that being the gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Team USA finished its undefeated run at the Thomas & Mack Center in impressive fashion, easily handling Argentina 118-81 in the championship game. The Americans went 10-0 during their 12-day stay in Las Vegas and were sent to the podium with a rousing chant of “U-S-A!” from the Thomas & Mack crowd of 6,808.
“This is pretty nice,” said Carmelo Anthony, who wore his medal around his neck in the postgame interview area. “I was getting pretty tired of bronze.”
Puerto Rico gets that honor this time around as Elias Ayuso scored 39 points and Carlos Arroyo 30 to lead their country past Brazil 111-107 in the bronze medal game.
The last time the USA won any kind of gold in men’s basketball was at the 2003 Tournament of the Americas in Puerto Rico. But the last gold at a major tournament — Olympics or world championships — was at the 2000 Olympics.
On Sunday, the gold never was in doubt, especially after a 26-5 run over the final
7:06 of the first quarter put the Americans in front 35-14.
The USA led by 30 points late in the first half, and with its barrage of 3-pointers (the USA made 20), Argentina never had a chance to get back in it. Even 23 points from tournament Most Valuable Player Luis Scola wasn’t enough to keep the Argentines close.
“This USA team is one of the best USA teams,” Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez said. “I like this team so much. They play together and have respect for their opponent.
“I like when they play hard. If they can beat me by 40 points, I don’t want them to beat me by 20 points. They should beat me by 40 points. And this is what they do, so I say, ‘Thank you.’ “
It was a record day for LeBron James, who broke the Team USA mark for most points in an Olympic qualifying game with 31. The previous record was 28 shared by Allen Iverson, who did it against Canada in 2003, and Anthony, who had 28 against Mexico last Monday.
James, who was 8 of 11 from beyond the 3-point arc, also set records for most attempted 3-pointers and made 3s.
“The best thing I learned from being on this team is how guys can throw their egos away,” said James, who averaged 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists in the tournament. “Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring every year, and he throws that out the window and defers to Carmelo Anthony. All our guys did that.”
Barring injury, you can be sure the Big Three — James, Anthony and Bryant — will be back to anchor this team next summer, and if Jason Kidd, who will be 35 at this time next year, is able to play, he too figures to have a guaranteed spot. In fact, the majority of the team figures to be back.
However, managing director Jerry Colangelo already has said Dwyane Wade will be back (Wade sat out this summer after undergoing shoulder surgery last spring). Forward Chris Bosh also likely will be on the roster after sitting out this year’s tournament with a foot injury.
So changes will be made. How many remains to be seen. Players such as Shawn Marion and Chris Paul have had bad timing with injuries and could not attend training camp. Then there’s Kevin Durant, who played well in training camp and was one of the final two players cut. He, along with Greg Oden, are a big part of Team USA’s future, and they might play their way onto the Olympic roster, which must be submitted in late June.
Colangelo said the team will have a minicamp in Las Vegas in June and then return for training camp and an exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack in early August prior to leaving for China.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski didn’t want to speculate as to who he might or might not be coaching a year from now. He wanted to enjoy this moment with this group before he heads home to Durham, N.C., today to start preparing for Duke’s basketball season.
“I would think many of the players on this team will be chosen to play on the Olympic team,” Krzyzewski said. “But that decision will be made by the committee, and that won’t be determined until much later.
“But we’ve got a chemistry here. The continuity of having players here year after year. We’ve developed friendships and trust, which is the cornerstone of any successful organization. Those are the main things we have going for us.”
* NOTES — Team USA’s average margin of victory through the 10 games was 39.5 points. … The Americans are 36-0 in the FIBA Americas. … Bryant was the USA’s third-leading scorer at 15.3 points per game, behind Anthony (21.2) and James (18.1). … Average attendance for the tournament was 6,331 per session for 11 sessions.
