U.S. Men's Team beats Spain to Win Olympic Gold in Basketball

The whole U.S. squad joined the post-game press conference for the celebration of their come-back to the top of the world after they beat Spain 118-107 in the final of the Olympic men's basketball tournament here on Sunday.




A talented Spain team was as close as two points early in the fourth quarter and still within five in the last three minutes of the game and never completely went away in the US's 118-107 victory.

"This team has come a long way, and we had a lot of blowouts those first few games," point guard Chris Paul said. "So it was fitting that this one would be a close one. It really tested us to see what we were all about, and in the end, we showed we're the best in the world."

Kobe Bryant waved to the roaring crowd at Wukesong Arena, pounding his hand over his heart and beaming a smile as wide as all of China. Every few seconds, he looked down at his chest and seemed to rediscover the Olympic gold medal resting against his Team USA warmup jacket. He kissed the precious disc again and again, a kid who just received the toy he always wanted but never thought he'd get.

"Everybody wants to talk about NBA players being selfish and arrogant and individuals," Bryant said. "But what you saw today was a team bonding and facing adversity and coming out with a big win."