September 3, 2008

Redemption for USA Basketball: The Road to Gold

By Craig Miller, USA Basketball

COLORADO SPRINGS - In the Chinese culture, the number eight is believed to be a very lucky number.

And as “luck” would have it, the 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing, China, and featured lots of eights. Like 2008, or the start date of the Olympics – 08-08-08. Never mind that the word Olympics has eight letters, and it is probably silly to note that the basketball competition was held at Wukesong, which of course is spelled with eight letters.

And ultimately the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team won the desired gold medal, but only after earning a sparkling 8-0 record.

It was the Americans first gold medal in a major international competition in, yup, eight years, since capturing gold in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

While the luck of eight gives us all lots to chew on, in reality the U.S. men’s basketball team created its own good luck, and did so through characteristics that when bunched together usually result in golden success.

Dedication, commitment, hard work, passion, selflessness, and teamwork were key ingredients in the U.S. team’s success. And don’t forget to add in a lot of respect. Respect for the game. Respect for opponents, and respect for their teammates, players and coaches alike.

In the process of capturing Olympic gold with a perfect 8-0 record, the 2008 U.S. demonstrated all those traits and more.

“This was easy,” said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski about bringing together so much talent. “All these guys committed to Jerry Colangelo three years ago and they said they want to be part of a team. And Jerry said ‘we’re going to have one collective ego but we want you to bring all your egos because that’s how you get better.’ We have not had one second of problem as a coaching staff with our team. It’s been the greatest experience of my life and the lives of the other coaches.”

After a disappointing bronze medal result in the 2004 Athens Olympics that saw the Americans defeated on the hardwood three times, and without a gold medal finish in a major international competition since the 2000 Olympics, USA Basketball in 2005 set off in a totally new direction with its men’s senior national team.

Setting aside the old committee system used for selecting its senior teams, Jerry Colangelo, the respected former Phoenix Suns chairman and CEO, was selected by USA Basketball’s Executive Committee to serve in the newly created position of managing director of the USA Men’s Senior National Team program for 2005 2008.

Building a program that ultimately consisted of 33 of this country’s best players, and the very best coaches, Colangelo and USA Basketball proceeded to create a true USA Senior National Team program that sought a three-year commitment from its coaches and players.

“Three years seems like such a long time ago. And here it was and it was winding down and it was hard to believe it was really happening. This may have been one of the great games in Olympic basketball history. To be part of that is so exciting and to win it meant everything. So mission accomplished,” said Colangelo.

Success, however, was not immediately realized for of the USA Men’s Senior National Team program. In 2006, the U.S. fell in the FIBA World Championship semifinals and finished with an 8-1 record and the bronze medal.

In 2007, year two, the Americans continued to build the program and finished 10-0 to claim gold at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. By winning the zone championship, the USA men accomplished their number one goal of qualifying for the 2008 Olympic basketball competition.

Announcing on June 23 the 12 players selected to represent the United States in Beijing, named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team were: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

The Olympic coaching staff was led by Duke University Hall of Fame coach Krzyzewski, and serving as assistant coaches were Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

Of the 12 selected players, six were part of the 2006 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team, and eight were part of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship that qualified the U.S. for the 2008 Olympics. Three players - Anthony, Howard and James, were members of both teams.

“If we didn’t have the three years together, we wouldn’t have won this game (versus Spain) because the three years gave us character to beat a great team that had great character in Spain,” acknowledged Krzyzewski following the USA’s gold medal victory.

In claiming the gold, the USA featured a true team that was 12 deep. Five players finised with double digit scoring averages and eight players averaged between 16.0 ppg. and 8.0 ppg. The USA’s offensive effort was paced by Wade, 16.0 ppg.; James, 15.5 ppg.; Bryant, 15.0 ppg.; Anthony, 11.5 ppg.; and Howard, 10.9 ppg. Bosh added 9.1 ppg., Williams and Paul each contributed 8.0 ppg. Bosh led the USA’s rebounding grabbing 6.1 boards a game, while Howard added 5.8 rpg., James averaged 5.3 rpg. and Anthony hauled in another 4.2 rpg. The USA shared the ball well as was evident by the assists averages - Paul, 4.1 apg.; James, 3.8 apg.; Williams, 2.8 apg.; Bryant, 2.1 apg.;, and Kidd, 2.0 apg.

Among the 12 teams, the USA finished ranked first in 11of 19 team statistical categories, and ranked second in another four statistical categories. The U.S. led the field in scoring offense (106.2), scoring margin (+27.8), field goal percentage (.550), defensive field goal percentage (.403), defensive 3-point field goal percentage (.299), rebounding (41.5), defensive rebounds (29.63), assists (18.75), steals (12.13), blocked shots (3.88), and assist/turnover ratio (+1.36).

Individually, USA team members, despite playing fewer minutes across the board than members of other teams, were heavily sprinkled in among the statistical leaders for the tournament. Wade ranked ninth in scoring, James was 11th, Bryant 12th and Anthony listed 27th. Bosh and Howard listed one-two for field goal percentage, with Wade, fourth, and James, ninth, rounding out the top 10. Bosh, James and Howard ranked 11th, 13th and 16th, respectively, for rebounding, and Paul, fourth, James, sixth, and Williams, 13th found themselves listed among the assist leaders. James ranked fourth in steals, Paul and Wade were tied for fifth in steals, while James ranked seventh in blocked shots and was joined in the top 10 by Howard, eighth, and Bosh, 10th. Bryant listed fifth in 3-point field goals made and Anthony ranked 15th, while Wade listed 12th for 3-point percentage and James was right behind in 13th. Paul finished third in assist/turnover ratio and James was two back in fifth.

As a team, the U.S. set single game USA records for 3-point field goals made and attempted, while individual game marks were set for Anthony for made free throws and highest free throw percentage. Wade’s 27 point explosion against Spain in the gold medal clash ranks as the sixth (tied) highest single game scoring effort.

The USA established new U.S. Olympic competition records for 3-point field goals made and attempted, while Bosh’s field goal percentage ranks second best ever and Howard lists third. Prince finds himself ranked fourth for 3-point field goal percentage and James is tied for fourth for steals.

Several members of the 2008 team earned a spot among the USA’s career leaders for the Olympics. James, Kidd and Wade join nine other players who are tied for second for games played with 16. Wade’s 186 points scored in two Olympics ranks him fifth, and James lists eighth with 167. Boozer’s 64 career rebounds ranks tied for seventh, while Kidd’s 63 boards are ninth. Bosh and Howard rank first and second for field goal percentage, and Prince lists third for
3-point percentage. Paul is tied for seventh for free throw percentage, while Kidd moved into seventh for assists and James is listed eighth. James ranks tied for sixth for blocked shots, Howard is tied for eight in blocks, and Wade is listed third for steals (35) and James ranks seventh (25).

With the gold medal effort, Kidd became just the 13th U.S. male player in history to collect two gold medals; while Kidd, Anthony, Boozer, James and Wade now belong to a small group of just 18 two-time U.S. Olympic basketball team members.

The U.S. men have now medaled in all 16 Olympics they have played, including 13 gold medals, one silver and two bronze, while compiling a 122-5 win-loss record for a 96.0 winning percentage. U.S. Olympic teams featuring NBA players are 35-3 in the Olympics and have captured four of five Olympic titles (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008).

“We did this together as a team, which is what makes it feel that much better,” said Wade of his experience.

“We had one ego and that is the team ego. We wanted to play as a team,” Kidd offered. “With all the great players and the egos we became one ego, a team ego and that growth was a beautiful thing to see.”

“We’re so close. Guys gave up a lot, we sacrificed so much for the betterment of the country to get the gold medal. We did it as a team, for the benefit of the team. Sometimes you have to sacrifice and we all made the biggest sacrifice of playing as a team,” stated Boozer.

“We all jelled together as a team. These are relationships and bonds that we shared and will never forget. It lasts forever. It’s amazing it’s all over now,” added Bryant.

USA 101, China 70
The U.S. opened Olympic play facing host China. The teams played in front of a packed Wukesong crowd that saw the railings around the seating sections lined three-to-four deep with media, arena volunteers and police standing to see the much anticipated game. President George W. Bush and former President Bush took in the game in too, and it was estimated that an incredible one billion people would view the game’s worldwide telecast.

And the USA team did not disappoint. Led by 19 points and 7-of-7 shooting from the field from Wade, the 2008 U.S. opened its Olympic play with a convincing 101-70 win. James contributed 18 points and six rebounds, while Bryant and Howard rounded out the USA's double-digit scorers with 13 points each.

USA 97, Angola 76
The U.S. simply had too many weapons for Africa champ Angola to make the Aug. 12 game suspenseful, and behind Wade's 19 points and five rebounds, the U.S. coasted past Angola for an easy 97-76 win. Three other U.S. players scored in double figures, including 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting from Howard, 12 points and six rebounds from Anthony and 12 points, five rebounds and three steals from James.

USA 92, Greece 69
A spot of redemption and some revenge were achieved when the Americans pounded Greece 92-69 as Bosh and Bryant each contributed 18 points; followed by 17 points, six steals and five assists from Wade; and 13 points, six rebounds and six assists from James. Up by just four points after the first quarter, the USA outscored Greece 31-16 in the second period to take a 19-point lead at halftime and deflate any hopes Greece had of a second win over the USA in as many meetings. The USA’s win avenged the Greeks’ 101-96 upset of the U.S. when the two teams last met in the semifinals of the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

USA 119, Spain 82
There was no letdown two nights later on Aug. 16 when the U.S. hammered defending world champion Spain 119-82. Everybody scored for the USA, including eight players in double figures. James led the way with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals; Anthony shot 4-of-6 from behind the 3-point arc to help tally 16 points and six rebounds; and Wade added 16 points and six rebounds. How dominating was the win? While posting a 37-point victory, the USA’s second largest win margin of the ’08 Olympics, the USA forced 28 turnovers, collected 16 steals and raced to 32 fast break points. Spain shot just 39.4 percent from the field (28-71 FGs), 21.4 percent from behind the arc (6-28 3-pt FGs) and recorded zero fast break points.

USA 106, Germany 57
The USA squad closed out preliminary round play on Aug. 18 with a spotless 5-0 record after flying past Germany 106-57. Everybody scored for the USA, led by 22 points and 10 rebounds from Howard, who shot 9-of-10 from the field. James contributed 18 points; Bryant added 13; and Paul, who dished three assists, and Wade tallied 10 points each. In finishing preliminary play 5-0, the Americans dominated their opponents by an average of 32.2 points a game.

Quarterfinals: USA 116, Australia 85
A rugged Australian squad, which had fought the U.S. to an 11-point loss just 10 days earlier during the team’s final pre-Olympic warm-up, fell to the roadside in the quarterfinals as the U.S. powered its way to an impressive 116-85 victory. Bryant turned in a 25-point performance as all 12 U.S. players again scored in the contest, including five in double figures. James added 16 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the USA's win; Anthony tallied 15 points; and Bosh and Williams each contributed 10 points. The USA dominated the boards, outrebounding Australia 57-28, including 19 on the offensive glass, and the U.S. shot an impressive 56.6 percent from the field, including 12-of-29 from 3-point.

Semifinals: USA 101, Argentina 81
Defending Olympic champion Argentina, who had eliminated the USA from the gold medal hunt in the 2004 Olympics, was next up for the USA in the medal round semifinals. Stomping on the gas pedal right from the opening tip, the gang of red, white and blue sprinted ahead 30-11 in the first quarter and went on to record an impressive 101-81 victory. Anthony, who made 13-of-13 free throws to set U.S. Olympic game records for made free throws and free throw percentage, led the way with 21 points. James added 15 points and five rebounds; Bryant, Paul and Wade each scored 12 points; Bosh tallied an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double; and Howard contributed 10 points and nine rebounds. Additionally, Kidd dished seven assists in just 16 minutes of action.

Gold Medal Game: USA 118, Spain 107
The gold medal clash was a return encore feature. The U.S. entered its final game 7-0, having won its games in dominating fashion, by 30.3 points a game. Spain was nearly as solid, standing 6-1 and having won its having won its six games by 17.3 points a game. Only the U.S. had bettered the defending world champs.

The game was everything a gold medal game should be. A tight affair for the first 30 minutes, Spain opened the final stanza with a 7-0 run and just 1:47 into the final quarter the U.S. lead stood at just two points, 91-89.

The USA responded with its own 7-0 run as Bryant scored two points, Williams drained a 3-pointer and Howard dunked off a Bryant assist to cushion the USA advantage to 98-89 with 6:48 left.

Spain refused to quit and two points from Pau Gasol with 3:32 remaining pulled Spain within five points, 104-99. Bryant answered once again, this time drilling a 3-pointer while drawing Rudy Fernandez', who had a Spain high 22 points, fifth and final foul. Bryant sank the free throw for a four-point play that restored the U.S. advantage to 108-99.

Bryant's four-point punch didn't knock Spain out, however, as Carlos Jimenez' 3-pointer at 2:25 cut the U.S. lead to 108-104.

It was Wade who dealt the final blow against Spain with his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 2:04 left that put the USA back up by seven, 111-104.

When the final horn sounded, the U.S. had fought to a thrilling 118-107 gold-medal victory against Spain in a game Coach Krzyzewski described as “one of the great games in international basketball history.”

The U.S. was propelled to the win by 27 points from Wade and 20 points from Bryant. James added 14 points and six rebounds; Paul tallied 13 points and five assists and shot 9-of-10 from the free throw line; Anthony also added 13 points to round out the USA's double-digit scorers; while Bosh contributed eight points and a team best seven rebounds.