As television analysts and print journalist scrutinized the youth and inexperience of Team USA with “Hater-ade” in their cup, Team USA worked harder than ever under head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Team USA grew up and matured, on the court, right before our eyes.
Nine FIBA World Championship games later, Team USA would have the last laugh as a gold medal dangled from their young necks.
The ultimate prize, besides the gold, was the automatic bid to the 2012 Olympics for the red, white, and blue. A team devoid of all 12 gold medal winners from the 2008 Bejing Olympic team proved all of the naysayers wrong. The golden goose of this team’s flock was, by far, Kevin Durant who was also named MVP of the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
The “Durantula” had 20 points in the gold medal game against Turkey – in the first half. Durant looked unstoppable with five 3-pointers before halftime and seven total in the game. He broke two U.S. records during this year’s FIBA World Championships. He finished the tournament with 205 points, shattering Luther Burden’s 1974 record of 177. Durant finished with 28 points in the gold medal game.
Team USA won its final game against a Turkey team who had the home court advantage in Istanbul, 81-64.
Now that Team USA has won gold, some changes are certain to take place.
Team USA has officially crossed the golden gate bridge. They are the newest members of Gold’s Gym. Kevin Love, Danny Granger, and Tyson Chandler are sure to go out and buy new a new pet, like a gold fish or a golden retriever.
Meanwhile, guys like Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook will relax and play some James Bond “Goldeneye” on the throwback, N64 gaming system. Stephen Curry and Chauncey Billups will cuddle up in front of a television and watch their favorite Austin Powers movie “Goldmember”. And Lamar Odom will be sure to read Chloe Kardashian her favorite bed time story, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”.
There’s a sense of relief that team USA isn’t headed back to the states with the silver. Or a silver lining.
Just gold.
There is no Betty White on Team USA, as nobody showed the slightest hint of playing like a “Golden Girl”. In fact, these “Golden Boys” are now “Golden Men”. Team USA did everything they needed to, from playing together as a team to blocking out the negative headlines.
And as the U.S. flag is raised, the national anthem plays, and the members of team USA stand atop the podium with gold around their neck, you can only wonder, what’s next for the golden men of USA basketball? We’ll find out in 2012.
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