KARIBUNI

Pata habari za kila siku, burudani,matangazo, na mengineyo mengi pia unaweza kuacha maoni yako kuhusu tovuti hii.

Sunday 12 August 2012


When Dream Teams come true: 

Stars of NBA win basketball final against Spain 



The stars of Team USA didn't win with ease or poise -- it was a dogfight until the end -- but ultimately, their efforts were enough to capture Olympic gold on Sunday. 
The men's basketball team defended its title by fighting off another huge challenge from Spain, pulling away in the final minutes for a 107-100 victory Sunday that gave the Americans their second straight gold medal.
It was a rematch of a hard-fought victory against the Spaniards in Beijing in 2008. And just like 2008, they had to work for this one.
Celebration: The stars of Team USA celebrate after winning the gold medal with a 107-100 victory over Spain on Sunday
Celebration: The stars of Team USA cheer after winning the gold medal with a 107-100 victory over Spain on Sunday

Kobe Bryant
Big star: This is likely Kobe Bryant's last appearance in the Olympics -- and he's hoping to make the game memorable
Golden boys: This is the second-straight gold medal for the team and the 15th in American history
Golden boys: This is the second-straight gold medal for the team and the 15th in American history

LeBron James capped one of basketball's most brilliant individual years with a monster dunk and a huge 3-pointer in the final 2.50 that finally wrapped up a close, back-and-forth game that few would have seen coming after the Americans had been so dominant for so long in London.
Yet four years after beating Spain 118-107 in a classic in Beijing, the US found itself in another tight one, unable to ever really slow the Spanish down until the closing minutes.
'We knew it wasn't going to be easy. We didn't want it easy,' James said. 
'A lot of teams have won gold easy. We didn't want it that way. We're a competitive team and we love when it gets tight. That's when our will and determination kind of shows. It was the same way in '08.'
Kevin Durant scored 30 points and James had 19 on a day he joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win the NBA title, regular-season MVP, NBA Finals MVP and Olympic gold in the same year.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has said he's retiring as national team coach after restoring the Americans to their place atop world basketball, emptied his bench in the final minute.
Spanish forward Pau Gasol
Spanish forward Pau Gasol charges for the basket. The Spaniards kept the stars of Team USA on their toes -- despite claims of being the new 'Dream Team'

LeBron James
Victory: LeBron James became the only player other than Michael Jordan to win NBA MVP, NBA finals MVP, the NBA championship and a gold medal in the same year

LeBron James
James as dominant, with 19 points and seven rebounds, but the Americans still had a difficult battle to win the game

James stood with both arms in the air, then held Durant in a long hug before they both headed to the bench.
The Americans, who were better than their 2008 version, insisted they were even good enough to take a game from the 1992 Dream Team, may not have been at that level.
Still, they were better again than Spain -- though not by much.
When the final horn sounded, Krzyzewski locked James in a tight embrace as Bruce Springsteen's 'Born In The USA' rocked the arena.
The Americans hugged at midcourt, guard James Harden holding a doll of the Olympic mascot, and then after being handed flags, this group of NBA players - and one kid just out of college - who grew into a tight-knit group during their time together, paraded around the floor, the Stars and Stripes flowing off their backs like capes.
Famous fans: David Beckham and his sons Brooklyn and Romeo enjoyed the game at North Greenwhich Arena
Famous fans: David Beckham and his sons Brooklyn and Romeo enjoyed the game at North Greenwhich Arena

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Big action: Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took in the game with London Mayor Boris Johnson

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was among the spectators who watched the Americans slog their way to victory

Prince Albert (C) of Monaco sits in the stands
Fan? Prince Albert of Monaco, center, was another of the VIPs who had premium access to the game

Russia claimed the bronze by beating Argentina earlier in the day.
Yes, they were Olympic superheroes again, but they had to fight until the finish.
'To do it twice is a special moment,' Carmelo Anthony said. 
'As the US men's team, we go through a lot. For us to persevere the way we did is just a special moment for myself, and for the guys who are on this team.'
For Kobe Bryant, it was his last Olympic moment.

THE NOT-QUITE DREAM TEAM GETS THE JOB DONE IN LONDON

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder -- 30 points, 9 rebounds 
LeBron James, Miami Heat -- 19 points,7 rebounds
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers -- 17 points, 2 rebounds
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers -- 11 points, 3 steals
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves -- 9 points, 9 rebounds
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks -- 8 points, 5 rebounds
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets -- 6 points, 1 assist
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder -- 3 points, 1 rebound
Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks -- 2 points, 1 rebound
James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder -- 2 points, 1 rebound
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers -- 1 rebound
Anthony Davis, University of Kentucky -- 1 rebound
'This is it for me,' said Bryant, who scored 17 points and now has a second gold medal to go with his five NBA championships. 'The other guys are good to go.'
Pau Gasol scored 24 points and Juan Carlos Navarro had 21 for Spain, which was again just a few minutes from its first basketball gold but couldn't finish the job against the Americans.
The US came in averaging nearly 117 points and stomping on their competition with such ease that even the Olympics' own daily preview had a hard time envisioning intrigue, writing that it would 'likely take a great game from Spain and an off-day from the USA to cause an upset.'
Well, Spain brought the great game and trailed by only a point heading into the fourth quarter.
But the Spanish somehow lost sight of James, and the game's best player drove uncontested and threw it down for a 99-91 lead with 2.48 left. After Marc Gasol dunked, James dribbled outside the circle with Marc Gasol giving him just a bit too much room, and James pulled up for the 3 that made it 102-93 with 1.59 to play.
Pau Gasol then was called for an offensive foul on a pick, and the Americans could sense that it was over.
Gasol, who carried the flag for Spain in the opening ceremony, nearly carried his country to its greatest Olympic basketball glory, but had a big miss inside with Spain down by six about three minutes to go, screaming out loud in frustration as he went back down the court.
Then James finished it off.
It was the 14th gold medal for the Americans, who lost at least five players who might have been on the team when Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Derrick Rose had to pull out with injuries and Blake Griffin was hurt in training camp.
Along the way, they showed they could be vulnerable during their exhibition schedule, falling into early holes against Brazil and Spain, having to hold on against Argentina.
Any concerns once they arrived in London seemed to be wiped away quickly -- just the way the Americans play.
Battle: Team USA had to fight hard to claim its Olympic championship against Spain. Carmelo Anthony (left) scored eight points for the Americans
Battle: Team USA had to fight hard to claim its Olympic championship against Spain. Carmelo Anthony (left) scored eight points for the Americans
They were tested only once, beating Lithuania 99-94, and the statistics revealed a tournament that was more varsity against junior varsity than best in the world against each other. The Americans came in leading the tournament in eight statistical categories, with laughably lopsided advantages in points off turnovers (198-77) and fast-break points (175-55).
James didn't seem too concerned Sunday, laughing his way through warmups, even when he badly botched a dunk.
He and the Americans would soon realize this one wasn't going to be all fun and games.
They used an 18-4 run to wipe out their early five-point deficit and made seven 3-pointers in the first quarter, yet led by only eight points. Spain then opened the second period with a 12-2 burst, taking a 39-37 lead on a 3-pointer by Sergio Rodriguez.
Spanish centre Serge Ibaka
Spanish centre Serge Ibaka (L) challenges US forward LeBron James. Team US had trouble holding off the Spaniards during the first two quarters of the game

Spain, long considered a finesse team, came to fight in this one, Rodriguez delivering a blow to Tyson Chandler's ribs while setting a pick that led to technical fouls on both players.
Both teams grew frustrated with the officiating -- Spain in particular when Marc Gasol was called for his fourth foul while going for a rebound with 5.29 remaining in the first half. The Spanish scored their final seven points on free throws, cutting the US lead to 59-58.
Though a gold-medal rematch was expected before the Olympics, the Spanish struggled in London, losing twice in the preliminary round and saying that just getting to the gold medal game was an accomplishment given some injuries they faced. The Americans waved off Spain's claims of being tired and hurt, and, sure enough, the Spanish team they expected showed up in the final.
Spanish forward Pau Gasol
Spanish forward Pau Gasol (L) challenges US forward LeBron James. The Spaniards have fought to become the number two team in the world and are facing the Americans in a rematch

Size was always the Americans' biggest obstacle, and the 7-foot-1 Pau Gasol dominated them to start the second half, scoring Spain's first 13 points to give them a 71-70 lead at the midpoint of the third quarter. Serge Ibaka at 6-10 also hurt the US inside, and the Americans led only 83-82 heading into the fourth.
Though this was expected to be the final international game for Krzyzewski and Bryant, the US will apparently still be able to bring its best to the next Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. Though the NBA has said it might prefer an under-23 age limit for the Olympics, FIBA's secretary general said Saturday he doesn't see any changes being proposed in time for 2016.
James isn't sure if he will return after he, Bryant, Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams joined a list of 13 Americans who have won multiple gold medals.
Krzyzewski, who matched Hank Iba as the only coaches to lead the US to consecutive golds, has said this will be his last game -- though USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo promised to do his best sales job to bring the respected coach back.



No comments:

Post a Comment