Team USA vs. Spain, Gold Medal Game: Halftime Notes
Deron Williams (Photo. Christian Kozowyck)* It looks like Kobe, LeBron and D-Wade are fighting over who’s going to be the one who gets the honors of sticking the knife in Spain’s back and breaking off the handle. When Kobe and ‘Bron sat most of the first quarter with foul trouble, Wade took over, scoring 13 points but blowing his chance at an end-of-quarter punctuation mark when he lost the ball going up for a dunk. Then Kobe opened the second quarter with a three and a dunk to make the lead 12, and screamed at himself for missing a three that would have stretched it to 15. LeBron hit the game’s first shot with a three and was playing with enough energy to blow Spain out personally — after getting back on the court following his foul trouble, he racked up some more threes and and-ones, looking to be the hero.
* At a quick glance we couldn’t tell if that was Dwight Howard or LeBron who jumped center with Pau Gasol (and how scary is that #6 and #11 are so close in size?), but whoever it was immediately tumbled to the ground in a heap with Gasol after the tip. Not the storybook start you see in the movies.
* LeBron was a little too geeked up at the start. He picked up two fouls in the first two minutes (doing the MJ “Don’t take me out” gesture to Coach K, who granted his wish), and one time on a self-made fast break was going so fast that Dwight was too busy watching him to catch LeBron’s handoff for what should have been an easy deuce. A minute after ‘Bron picked up his second foul Kobe picked up his second, but when they took a seat on the bench, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade came in. That’s what they call depth.
* Dwight needs to chill, too. He horse-collared Pau to get the FIBA version of a flagrant foul, then later almost beheaded another guy while going for a rebound. (And acted surprised at the call.)
* The crowd is pretty pro-Spain. It might be more that they just want to see a close game than anything else.
* Big difference between Pau and Marc Gasol: Pau looks like the cerebral bad guy in a movie who’s behind the plot for world domination, while Marc looks like one of that guy’s shoot-first, ask-questions-later henchmen. And they kind of play that way, too.
* Marc Gasol did hit Chris Bosh one time with a pretty spin move and reverse layup. Between that, Luis Scola in the Argentina game and Pau Gasol in the first Spain game, Bosh has had his moments where he’s been worked over in the post.
* Maybe the best play of the half was when Rudy Fernandez hit Tayshaun Prince with about six quick between-the-legs dribbles in a row, then nailed a step-back triple in his face. We really cannot wait to see the Brandon Roy-Jerryd Bayless-Fernandez backcourt trio in Portland.
* The U.S. leads, 69-61. They’re playing terrible pick-and-roll defense, Spain is playing terrible man-to-man D, and someone’s gonna crack at least 110 in this game.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Blue says:
I wasn’t sure if fernandez had his eyes open on that three in prince’s face! hahaha…where is everybody?
August 24th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Frank says:
Spain is doing a nice job of keeping up with the US, this game is far from over. I’m looking forward to the 2nd half.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Chainfire says:
Man, i really hope this game goes down to the wire. Yes USA will win, and they should, but i just wish Spain would be more careful of their outlet passes. The Fernandez step-back three was beautiful.
Marc Gasol > Pau Gasol
Just seems more gritty and tougher then his older brother ( who has a better shooting touch and range).
August 24th, 2008 at 3:28 am
sirak says:
go spain!
August 24th, 2008 at 3:29 am
USA might not win says:
Itll get retarded in here when usa wins, theyre gonna wait it out until the game is over before they post. Cowardly if you ask me.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Shage says:
What an exciting match. I didn’t see Spain’s previous matchup with Team USA but based on the final score I though Team USA would come out and dominate. I didn’t expect Spain to trade buckets with Team USA all the way to the end of the 1st half. Let’s see what happens in the next half.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:39 am
josh tha roc says:
We got the first qrt and a half and then went to a meaningless AFL footy game……australian tv stations have no freakin idea!!!!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 3:44 am
x0t says:
HA…HA….HA……usa would be getting blown out if they werent hitting from 3……same ole, childish playground defense…..PATHETIC
August 24th, 2008 at 3:45 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
In a close game anything can happen. The US needs to be very careful right now.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:46 am
patrick says:
why cant the us shoot free throws
August 24th, 2008 at 3:48 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Neither team is playing very good defense. The refs are calling too many touch fouls against both teams. Its hard to play D with the way the refs are calling the game.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:48 am
daquest?on says:
this is a great game, closer than i expected
August 24th, 2008 at 3:49 am
sans says:
You know JKidd has only missed one shot in the Tourney? He only took seven but he’s shooting .859. FIBA would be greatly enhanced by defensive 3 seconds. Marc Gasol is glued to the paint. Marc is one thick mofo.
Did anyone see where Rubio got hurt? He got hit in the leg and ended up with an injured arm…WTF?
August 24th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Funny how all the US haters come out the woodwork when the game is close and all the people who said this game will be a blow out are no where to be seen.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:53 am
daquest?on says:
these referees suck on both sides
August 24th, 2008 at 3:56 am
sans says:
Rubio’s gonna go #1 in 2010.
Navarro is treating Deron like his personal bitch. I’d rather have him than Mo Williams for real. Especially with the price tag.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Blue says:
serious spliff…
where the hell was all this US hate before? WTF?
we’re up by 9 going into the 4th, and all of a sudden we suck? haha
August 24th, 2008 at 3:57 am
x0t says:
dont worry holmes Dime will still write somethn sucking em off talking about how great they played….getting herbed on the boards by scrub ass marc gasol, gettin shook by rudy frickin fernandez LOLLLL
August 24th, 2008 at 4:00 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Uh oh…
August 24th, 2008 at 4:00 am
sans says:
Rudy Fernandez is very good. A Kevin Martin that can actually get laid.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:02 am
USA might not win says:
why is lebron making that ugly ass face every time an obvious foul is called on him?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Strange, Lebron has been a non factor in this game.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:04 am
sans says:
I would call the police if I ever saw Jorge Garbajosa hanging out near a playground or preschool–I would call the police. Not that I’m into snitching, but he looks haggard. Watch your kids.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Blue says:
fernandez took about 5 steps right there!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:05 am
K Dizzle says:
Damn!!! 2 point game with 8 minutes left. Who wants it? Where’s Kobe and Bron? This is way better than hittin up the clubs and wakin up with a hangover. Playoff intensity ball in August. Who’d have thought Spain with no Calderon and a 17 yr. old point could have maintained. I’m gonna love seein how DIME spins this tale…..
Kobe’s gonna wake up soon tho. It’s that time
August 24th, 2008 at 4:05 am
USA might not win says:
lol, now the refs swallow the whistle, haha usa is a joke
August 24th, 2008 at 4:06 am
USA might not win says:
WOW HOWARD JUST GOT A FACIAL!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Damn Fernandez is killing. He’s making the Blazers GM look real good right about now.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Spanish Dan says:
I got to say dis:
Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
lol peace y’all
August 24th, 2008 at 4:08 am
sans says:
MAn, Rudy Fernandez is going to eat people’s souls in the L next year. BRoy might see some small ball time at the SF in PDX.
Bron’s been blocking everything this Olympics, other than Rudy. OUch.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Blue says:
fernandez is damn good!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@sans
Ha ha about Garbajosa. You’re on fire with the comedy this morning.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:11 am
sans says:
Dwight’s form might be better than Shaq’s, but the result isn’t.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Austin Burton says:
That was COLD, Kobe.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Blue says:
wouldn’t it be ironic if marc and pau had really attractive parents?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Blue says:
i still can’t stand kobe…but GODDAMN!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:13 am
USA might not win says:
kobe jacking up 3s left and right, what a selfish guy, will never win a nba ring again
August 24th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Blue says:
D-MUTHAFUCKIN’-WADE!!!!!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:14 am
sans says:
Thanks Splff.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
This is exactly what a gold medal should be. Hell of a game.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:14 am
K Dizzle says:
Kobe just gave Rudy the “Tell me how my ass taste” lol
August 24th, 2008 at 4:15 am
sans says:
@ Blue, me and ansonious agree that would be kind of weird.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:15 am
USA might not win says:
Every foul called on usa, they have this look on their face like theyve been asked to spell “basketball”
August 24th, 2008 at 4:16 am
ansonious says:
Marc Gasol looks like a cave man. Not to insult cave men.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:16 am
daquest?on says:
why does everyplayer when they make big shots, they make a face like they have just ate doodo?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:18 am
USA might not win says:
here come the usa bandwagon fans, come on out of hiding as your joke of a team barely skips by a watered down spain team. lol.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Poor Michael Redd. He still has his entire warm up suit on with his shirt tucked in to boot.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:19 am
sans says:
Big ups to ESP! Great game! Why doesn’t Gasol play like that every damn day?…
August 24th, 2008 at 4:20 am
sans says:
@ USA might not win…
been here all night.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Blue says:
@ sans
agreed! great game by spain!
they just came out with fire man…i didn’t think it would be this close.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:21 am
USA might not win says:
none of the usa players will be back next Olympics. All so selfish and have no respect for the game.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Blue says:
@ USA might not win…
same here…i was the first comment
August 24th, 2008 at 4:22 am
K Dizzle says:
@ Spliff
lol @ post 50
It could be worse. At least we seen Mike Redd. You even seen Boozer yet? Duke power forwards on Olympic teams get NO love lol
August 24th, 2008 at 4:22 am
daquest?on says:
damnn i hate kobeee soooo much…why couldnt that be wade or melo or bosh!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@USA might not win
You can change your name now to USA didnt lose
@acidmamma
PMS must be a bitch.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:22 am
K Dizzle says:
aw sh*t. Never mind. here come the human victory cigars
August 24th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Ian says:
kdizzle
u r wrong rudy gave it to howard
doc hasnt posted here hehehehe
where are the people that said us by 30 lol
us might be the best but its not that far ahead of everyone else
the game ended in one play kobes three that fouled out rudy
August 24th, 2008 at 4:23 am
daquest?on says:
BOOOOOOOZERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Blue says:
if you were redd and boozer would you be insulted that you got put in for only a minute? i mean, wouldn’t you rather not get put in at all? haha
August 24th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Mad respect for Spain. They played their hearts out.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Ian says:
lol god i was pulling so fukin hard for spain to win
August 24th, 2008 at 4:25 am
daquest?on says:
does ricky rubio dunk??? he has had chances to dunk but he doesnt
August 24th, 2008 at 4:26 am
sans says:
So what you’re saying is Pau refuses to play well consistnently because he is paid so well?…He refuses to play well for cash? He’ll only play great for one month every four years? C’mon, if he played anything like this in the Finals, he’d have a ring to console himself with to go along with his silver medal. So cocky, the Americans don’t have love for the game that they created and oftentimes mold their lives after.
NO ONE LOVES BALL MORE THAN US.
go watch some fucking soccer.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Ian says:
blue i wouldnt go in id be fuck u coach k
August 24th, 2008 at 4:26 am
daquest?on says:
redd will do like brian scalabrine did during the post game interview
August 24th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Frank says:
Big ups to Spain, they played a great game and scared the hell out of team USA. However, USA never lost control of the game, they deserved the win.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:28 am
sans says:
68 was for acidmama
August 24th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Blue says:
@ sans…post #68
nice!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:30 am
daquest?on says:
hahahahahaha on the internet feed u can hear some chinese dude say what appears to be happy birthday kobe
August 24th, 2008 at 4:30 am
USA might not win says:
lol @ team usa facing adversity, the had to literally beg the nba allstars to play. These goons have no respect for the sport.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:30 am
mapletown says:
The name of the game is REDEMPTION!!
The Redeem Team brought back the gold, the way it should be. But gotdamn did they have me worried. Kobe redeemed himself with some of those ill-advised shots with that 4-point play. Big plays from D-Wade and Melo as well. Dwight getting put on that poster was funny though. Helluva game, helluva team.
@USA might not win and all the other doubters: “Hi Haters!!”
August 24th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@acidmamma
That was weak. Where are you from anyway with all this US animosity? By the way I am cleaning my underpants. I just had a wet dream about you. I pictured you looking like Eva Mendez.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Ian says:
wow i fuckin hate kobe i cant even stand him in his interview
“let mamba loose” pleasee
August 24th, 2008 at 4:31 am
rickyrubio says:
@ sans:
Back to school, they always told me that Dr Naismith was canadian…
Anyway, congratulations USA and where is Doc?
If you can’t understand that the whole wide world except USA loves soccer than what does it says about you ego and intelligence?
So pissed out. Peace
August 24th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Soopa says:
Awesome game for a neutral fan like me.
@ USA might not win:
You are a joke. How do the US players disrepect the game? Spain whines more, throws more elbows, flops like every second defensive sequence and got T’d at the end big time.
Sure the americans pose after big bucket, but who wouldnt?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@US might not win
Where you from?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Soopa says:
@75
I might have to be forced aswell if i just played 82+ games in the best league in the world and now only have like one month of rest before the are back at it. They are only human after all.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:35 am
USA might not win says:
At least after this game, we can all admit that USA dosnt want it with an international all star team, correct?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Blue says:
alright y’all! i’m out! peace!
worst part about this game…no more basketball for a while! damn!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:38 am
redemption says:
For all the kobe haters. he took som bad shots but still played a great game. 20 points 38% from three 50 percent 2 pointers and 6 assists wich is a team high. And in crunch time he made some very important plays along with dwayne wade.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:45 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Ironic how some US haters complain that American ballets are only about money but Euro teams are throwing crazy money at American role players. So it seems that even Euro teams want mediocre American players. Also many international players left the NBA for more money to go back to Europe. Let’s face it, business is universal. Money talks in every continent.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:49 am
qq says:
No Kobe=No gold!
August 24th, 2008 at 5:14 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Ha ha I meant ballers not ballets.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:37 am
heartbreaker85 says:
im with kobe when he wondered along with jason kidd if the lakers didnt include marc gasol in the pau trade.
they would be monstrous at the center spot, with bynum and marc.
pau – more tim duncan in terms of finesse skills
marc – more like shaq lite/ a jumping and more enthusiastic eddie curry