On the Hardwood: Gold Medal Game a Formality
Message to Spain: Get out of the way of Team USA
Posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 4:00 PMThey've answered every challenge in Beijing the same way — with a blend of skill, confidence, and swagger. Now all that stands in Team USA's way of a gold medal is Spain, the team yours truly annointed as the team to watch in these games. However, this weekend's showdown won't be a competition; it'll be a coronation.
The dominance shown by Team USA in Beijing can't be matched by any team — especially Spain, whose injury to Jose Calderon limits the Spaniards' chances of keeping things competitive. Ricky Rubio and Rudy Fernandez might have nice NBA careers, but at this juncture, they're not physically or emotionally ready to compete with the likes of LeBron, Kobe, or D-Wade.
They've been called "Redeem Team" and the redemption should be complete in approximately 48 hours. I heard someone say earlier today that in order for Spain to defeat Team USA, Pau Gasol needs to play the game of his life. Yeah, and if I bump into Katherine Heigl in a bar on 2nd Avenue, all I have to do is be on my "A" game and I'll have a date the following week.
If I was the coach of Spain, I'd leave Gasol on the nearest corner. There's not many people that can make Keith Van Horn look like Charles Oakley — Gasol does.
His lack of heart in June's finals was a disgrace and this blog personally hopes Andrew Bynum dominates him into oblivion during training camp. Then I'd pay to see Bynum wipe the tears in Pau's eyes with the silver medal he earns on Sunday.
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