The quest for redemption is over.  USA basketball is back on top of the international stage, and the olympic podium.  Receiving the gold medals around their necks, the exuberant players of Team USA were as giddy as children on Christmas morning.  Coach Krzyzewski had tears in his eyes, which one can imagine isn’t only for being proud of the efforts of Team USA and relief from achieving his goal of bringing gold back to his country, but also for redeeming previous failures as head coach of the team.

What made victory that much sweeter was that the game was a nail biter.  Spain came to play, and their execution kept Team USA from building an invincible lead that many of their previous opponents fell victim.  Pau Gasol, Spain’s star player and member of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, did not disappoint as he contributed 21 points and 6 rebounds on 50% shooting.  The two stars for Spain tonight, however, were Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Navarro.

Navarro had his best quarter in the third, showing his ability to penetrate and hit several runners which no doubt drew the ire of team USA.  Frustration was building with USA, because they were unable to stop Spain’s scoring in the half court.  Several time outs were called to make adjustments, and at one point it looked as if the players would lose composure.  Navarro’s offensive flurry in the third kept Spain close, with several of his baskets keeping the team within 4 points.

Fernandez was a spark on both ends of the floor, but his vibrant enthusiasm which contributed to his success also limited it.  He was in foul trouble throughout the game, and ended up being disqualified by reaching the limit of five late in the 4th quarter.  Before that, however, he was able to come in at the beginning of the 4th quarter with four fouls, and give his team a spark.  Fernandez hit a couple three point shots in the first few minutes, but at the 5:10 mark, he came up with a huge play.  With his team down 11, he recognized the defensive lapse of Kobe Bryant, and exploited his overplay by driving to the basket.  Dwight Howard didn’t react in enough time, but was able to see Fernandez stuff an electrifying dunk over him, drawing the foul in the process.  Spain would eventually cut to the lead to only four, but wouldn’t get any closer as Team USA responded when faced with the most pressure of any challenge previously faced in these games.

The win cannot be placed in the hands of one player.  The success of Team USA has been, in part, because of their incredible depth of talent, but also because of the new attitude and approach to the games.  Previous failures in international play brought humility, and they wanted to show a new attitude by putting the team first.  The final game was a microcosm of this attitude, as it took a combined effort to overcome the challenges they faced.  With inconsistent officials and a seemingly unstoppable offense from Spain, the game was close up until the end, and victory came from the hands of not one man, but the collective efforts of the team.  How fitting, seeing as one of the challenges Team USA has faced in their previous failures was to come together as a team, and put the team first above all else.

Chris Paul had key layups earlier in the game to keep the offense going, and was 9-10 from the free throw line.  Chris Bosh’s free throw shooting helped counter Spain’s exploitation of Dwight Howard down low, who was struggling at times against the front line of Spain.  Lebron James was all over the court, hitting from range and making seemingly impossible layups with impressive body contortions.  Kobe Bryant made clutch plays on both ends of the floor late in the 4th quarter, including a four point play which put the team up nine with a few minutes left in the game.  Dwayne Wade’s energy on defense helped force turnovers, an area which the team was struggling.  He seemed more comfortable from beyond the arc, hitting 4-7 shots.  The most important of which came in the 4th with Spain down only four points.  USA didn’t look back after that.

This game showed, not just that the US could dominate international basketball once more, but it showed why.  They succeeded because they bought into the team concept Jerry Coangelo tried to establish: put aside individual desires, and win as a team with humility.  Throughout these games, we saw players who didn’t get a lot of playing time, but didn’t throw fits or pout on the sidelines.  We saw players take on different roles, and accept them without complaint.  We saw genuine emotion as they encouraged each other, especially the bench during games.  And early this morning, we saw them win the gold medal because of it.

See images of Team USA’s victory over Spain.