Team USA vs Spain: Men’s Basketball final

BY RICKY LINDSAY, Staff Reporter

The 2012 Olympic gold medal game featured the highly anticipated matchup between Team USA and Spain.

Team USA rolled through most of their competition, but Spain proved to be no pushover. Spain had an advantage that many teams in the tournament didn’t have with a squad made up of several NBA players.

Spain managed to stay in the game until the third quarter, but Team USA took over when it mattered. LeBron James and Chris Paul were both clutch in the fourth quarter, leading Team USA to a 107-100 victory to win the gold medal for the second consecutive Olympic Games.

Kevin Durant led Team USA with 30 points and 9 rebounds, one shy of a double-double. Durant looks to become the next face of USA basketball, as James hands down the torch to another NBA star.

Spain was led by Lakers’ star Pau Gasol, scoring 24 points, with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. His younger brother Marc was a key piece for the Spanish team during the Olympics, perhaps even becoming the leader for Spain’s run at the 2016 Olympics.

With the victory, Team USA won the gold medal for the second consecutive Olympic Games. They had a great journey to the gold, but with the narrow win, the comparisons with the 1992 Dream Team have finally been put to rest.

The focus now shifts to NBA commissioner David Stern. Stern seems set on putting an age cap on the Team USA basketball roster. This would allow only players under the age of 23 to participate for Team USA in the Olympics. If the age cap is in place, Sunday would be the last time you’d see stars like Durant and James participate in the Olympics.