Taking the court a day after its heartbreaking semifinal loss to Greece, Team USA desperately needed to bounce back. After all of the retooling that went on in the months leading up to the FIBA World Championship, it was vitally important that the program show some improvement. The U.S. struggled at times in the bronze medal game against Olympic champ Argentina, but eventually prevailed, 96-81.
After trailing by as many as nine in the first half, Team USA rode the hot shooting of Carmelo Anthony en route to a 50-49 advantage at intermission.
In the second half, Team USA made sure it would come home with its 10th medal in FIBA competition by increasing its defensive pressure. Tri-captains Anthony, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James led the charge as Team USA outscored Argentina 19-13 in the third quarter.
Wade was in the zone in the final period, erupting for 19 of his 32 points as Team USA increased its lead.
Wade went 10-for-14 from the field, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range. James was outstanding, posting 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Anthony scored 13.
The loss against Greece is a disappointment, but the team can feel good about the resiliency it showed today against a very good team. This group learned a valuable lesson at the World Championship that will no doubt provide plenty of motivation leading up to 2008 Olympics.
