Getting revenge: breaking down LeBron, Kobe, and Team USA’s win over Spain

On Thursday, it was Greece. This morning, it was Spain. Revenge, for ‘Redeem Team’, is best served cold.

Team USA took another step towards re-claiming its perch on top of the basketball world, defeating the defending world champion Spanish side 119-82 to clinch top spot in pool B at the Beijing Olympics.

Here are a few quick observations from the game:

• It’s about balance baby. The Americans had eight players score in double-figures: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Dwyane Wade, and Deron Williams. Best of all, there wasn’t much range between scorers; James led this collectivist bunch with a modest 18 points. 

• Like Thursday’s match against Greece, the three captains from the 2006 World Championship took this contest personally. James, as mentioned earlier, had 18 points, but also added also seven assists. Wade chipped in with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Anthony, coming off the bench, sunk 6-of-8 attempts for 16 points.  

• Replacing ‘Melo in the first-five was firefly point guard Paul. But the Hornets’ table-setter is essentially replacing veteran Jason Kidd, who is still starting just playing less. 

• Loving downtown Beijing. For the first time in these Olympics, Team USA connected regularly from the three-point line, making 12-of-25 attempts from beyond the arc. The Americans are unbeatable when hitting outside shots and playing their usual stellar defense. 

• America will now meet the fourth seed from pool A in the playoff round, which will either be Australia or Croatia. They won’t face Spain again unless both squads qualify for the gold medal game.