Originally Posted by
dukelifer
What made this sweeter was that Spain played a great game. They fought hard- they hit big shots - they passed very well- they never folded. But team USA also played a great game. This team was focused and competed every second. It was also great- because K had to coach. He had to make key adjustments and almost everyone of them worked. An interesting moment was when Lebron got his fourth foul and K kept him in because he needed his leadership on the floor and Lebron responded. If this game had been a blowout- folks would have said this team was so dominant that anyone could have coached them. Today, the team needed K to coach and he did. And of course, when the game was on the line, the great players played great. Wade left everything on the floor. But when Spain cut it to 2, Kobe would not let USA lose. They guy loves the big moment. But most of all, team USA played very well together and when it got tight- they kept their poise. Credit K with bringing them together and getting them to commit to D- although in this game Spain was scoring at will at times.
K was a very proud coach today- as happy as I have seen him in a long while. This game was extremely important to him- perhaps more than any of us know. He also rose to the occasion. Kudos to K and the team for an excellent performance throughout the tourney. This team erased many of the stereotypes of the NBA player. These guys were professionals in the best sense of the word and a team usually reflects the qualities of their coach. Great, great win.