2012 United States men's Olympic basketball team

National basketball squad August 2023 yes 2012 United States men's Olympic basketball team Defense.gov photo essay 120715-D-VO565-004.jpg The US men's Olympic basketball team at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 2012 Mike Krzyzewski 2012 Summer Olympics 16px Kevin Durant 19.5 Kevin Love 7.6 LeBron James 5.6 2008 2016 The men's national basketball team of the United States won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Defending the gold medal won by the 2008 team in the previous Olympic Games, the Americans qualified for the 2012 Games after winning the 2010 FIBA World Championship. The Olympic team lost some players to injuries who might have made the team, and appeared to be short on big men. Their roster featured five players returning from the 2008 Olympic team and five others from the 2010 World Championship. The US went undefeated but appeared vulnerable in five exhibition games. They finished the tournament with a perfect 8–0 record, defeating opponents by an average of 32 points while trailing in the fourth quarter only once. The Americans often played with a small lineup that emphasized speed, quickness, and outside shooting. The team set an Olympic single-game record with 156 points scored against Nigeria in the preliminary round. In a rematch of the 2008 finals, Team USA again defeated Spain to capture the gold. Roster thumb|right|The 2012 team practicing in Washington, D.C. The 2012 team consisted of returning 2008 Olympic gold medal winners small forwards LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams, and shooting guard Kobe Bryant. It also featured 2010 World Championship winners small forwards Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala, power forward Kevin Love, center Tyson Chandler, and point guard Russell Westbrook. Players earning All-NBA honors in the 2011–12 NBA season included Bryant, Durant, James and Paul on the first team; second-teamers Love and Westbrook; and Anthony and Chandler from the third team.The Verdict: Which is the greatest Team USA of all time? July 22, 2021 Sporting News https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/the-verdict-which-is-the-greatest-team-usa-of-all-time-dream-team-olympics/11igmvc5sk8201mi4e313imp13 July 23, 2021 The final two Olympics roster spots were claimed by shooting guard James Harden and power forward Blake Griffin; they were chosen over shooting guard Eric Gordon, small forward Rudy Gay, and power forward Anthony Davis.Griffin, Harden, Iguodala on roster July 8, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8139144/2012-olympics-blake-griffin-james-harden-andre-iguodala-us-men-basketball-roster https://web.archive.org/web/20120709100347/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8139144/2012-olympics-blake-griffin-james-harden-andre-iguodala-us-men-basketball-roster July 9, 2012 live Griffin then sustained a torn meniscus during practice and was replaced by Davis, the first overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft, who earlier was unable to practice during the final tryouts due to an ankle injury.Zillgitt Jeff Blake Griffin out of Olympics with torn meniscus July 13, 2012 USA Today http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/07/blake-griffin-injury-could-return-anthony-davis-to-olympics/1#.T__JlZF0hEI https://web.archive.org/web/20120713135924/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/07/blake-griffin-injury-could-return-anthony-davis-to-olympics/1 July 13, 2012 live Forward Lamar Odom removed himself from consideration in July before the start of training camp.Young Royce Lamar Odom off Team USA, nine players guaranteed spots July 2, 2012 cbssports.com http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19466174/lamar-odom-off-team-usa-nine-players-guaranteed-spots July 3, 2012 The initial 20 finalists were announced in January 2012. In addition to Griffin, others withdrew due to injury including power forwards Chris Bosh (abdomen) and LaMarcus Aldridge (torn meniscus), point guards Derrick Rose (ACL) and Chauncey Billups, shooting guard Dwyane Wade (knee), and center Dwight Howard (back surgery). Harden and Davis were added as replacements.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-06-29/chris-bosh-to-miss-olympics/55919170/1 Chris Bosh out of Olympics to rest, rehab injury usatoday.com June 29, 2012 2012-06-29https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-06-28/dwayne-wade-knee-surgery-miss-olympics/55898344/1 Dwyane Wade to miss Olympics due to knee surgery usatoday.com June 28, 2012 2012-06-28 Center Andrew Bynum declined an invitation to be added as a finalist.Bresnahan Mike Andrew Bynum says he'll skip Olympics April 20, 2012 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2012-apr-20-la-sp-lakers-fyi-20120421-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120715045736/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/20/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20120421 July 15, 2012 live The final team was built on quickness and speed.Gregory Sean How Team USA Won Men’s Hoops — and the Entire Olympics August 12, 2012 Time https://olympics.time.com/2012/08/12/how-team-usa-won-mens-hoops-and-the-entire-olympics/ https://web.archive.org/web/20120816020620/http://olympics.time.com/2012/08/12/how-team-usa-won-mens-hoops-and-the-entire-olympics/ August 16, 2012 live While the roster appeared to be weakened by the injuries to its inside players, Team USA executive director Jerry Colangelo believed the team was deeper, more athletic and more experienced than the 2008 gold-medal team.Bishop Greg An Opening Statement Punctuated by Dunks July 29, 2012 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/sports/olympics/in-first-test-us-mens-basketball-team-makes-winning-look-easy.html?_r=1 https://web.archive.org/web/20220608002009/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/sports/olympics/in-first-test-us-mens-basketball-team-makes-winning-look-easy.html?_r=2 June 8, 2022 live USA Exhibition games The United States went undefeated at 5–0 in their exhibition games, but were behind early against Brazil and Spain and played a close game against Argentina. #eee July 12, 2012 United States USA 113 59 26–12 24–15 29–14 34–18 Report Dominican Republic Durant 24 Durant 10 Williams 10 Fortuna 10 Martinez 9 Horford 3 Thomas and Mack Center, Paradise, US José Carrion, Bill Kennedy, Scott Bolnick #fff July 16, 2012 United States USA 80 69 17–27 20–5 22–19 21–18 Report Brazil James 30 James 6 Paul 3 Garcia 14 Varejão 13 Huertas 3 Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., US #eee July 18, 2012 United States USA 118 78 33–20 22–17 34–18 29–23 Report Great Britain Anthony, Williams 21 Iguodala, James 6 Westbrook 9 Deng 25 Mensah-Bonsu 9 Deng 4 Manchester Arena, Manchester, United Kingdom #fff July 22, 2012 United States USA 86 80 31–16 16–24 25–21 14–19 Report Argentina Durant 27 Chandler 8 Durant 6 Ginóbili 23 Scola 6 Prigioni 6 Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain #eee July 24, 2012 United States USA 100 78 21–23 27–17 26–20 26–18 Report Spain Anthony 27 Love 10 James 7 Gasol 19 Gasol 5 Calderón 8 Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain Jose Bertain, Marat Kogut, Oscvar Lorente Olympic play Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men thumb|upright|270px|LeBron James assumed leadership of Team USA in 2012. The Americans went an undefeated 8–0 and averaged 116 points per game, winning by an average margin of 32.1 points—the fifth highest in US Olympic history.Diamond Jared The Fifth-Best Basketball Team of All Time August 12, 2012 The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444184704577585242901176220?mod=wsj_streaming_stream https://web.archive.org/web/20150404234803/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444184704577585242901176220.html?mod=wsj_streaming_stream April 4, 2015 live Team USA trailed in the fourth quarter only once, against Lithuania in the opening round.Isola Frank LeBron James and Team USA win gold at London Olympics with 100–107 win over Spain; Kevin Durant scores 30 August 12, 2012 New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-2012/lebron-james-team-usa-win-gold-london-olympics-100-107-win-spain-kevin-durant-scores-30-article-1.1134783 https://web.archive.org/web/20120814162805/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-2012/lebron-james-team-usa-win-gold-london-olympics-100-107-win-spain-kevin-durant-scores-30-article-1.1134783 August 14, 2012 live James became the leader of the team with Bryant—who would turn 34 in August 2012—stepping back.Column: Going out in style – 'K Boys' golden again August 12, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=8262281 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233540/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=8262281 July 14, 2014 live Medina Mark Kobe Bryant ends Olympic career on a high note August 12, 2012 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-kobe-bryant-ends-olympic-career-on-a-high-note-20120813,0,6931992.story https://web.archive.org/web/20120814215840/http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-kobe-bryant-ends-olympic-career-on-a-high-note-20120813,0,6931992.story 2012-08-14 live 2012-08-14 Medina Mark London Olympics: 5 things to take from Team USA's win over Spain August 12, 2012 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-5-things-to-take-from-team-usas-win-over-spain-20120812,0,6456027.story https://web.archive.org/web/20120813114824/http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-5-things-to-take-from-team-usas-win-over-spain-20120812,0,6456027.story 2012-08-13 live 2012-08-14 James facilitated the offense from the post and perimeter, called the defensive sets, and provided scoring when needed.Freeman Eric The Team USA Reputations Index: How the gold medal changes our opinions of these players August 13, 2012 yahoo.com https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/team-usa-reputations-index-gold-medal-changes-opinions-140024134--nba.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120815201907/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/team-usa-reputations-index-gold-medal-changes-opinions-140024134--nba.html August 15, 2012 live Cacciola Scott Summer of LeBron Ends With Gold August 12, 2012 The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444318104577585193378735380 https://web.archive.org/web/20120814224115/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444318104577585193378735380.html August 14, 2012 live Stein Marc Once again, LeBron answers the call August 8, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8249604/2012-olympics-once-again-lebron-james-answers-call https://web.archive.org/web/20120815045834/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8249604/2012-olympics-once-again-lebron-james-answers-call August 15, 2012 live After winning the gold, Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said James "is the best player, he is the best leader and he is as smart as anybody playing the game right now".Deveney Sean Olympics 2012: The golden era of LeBron James August 12, 2012 SportingNews.com http://aol.sportingnews.com/olympics/story/2012-08-12/olympics-2012-lebron-james-team-usa-spain-carmelo-anthony-london-games-us-gold-m https://web.archive.org/web/20120813183636/http://aol.sportingnews.com/olympics/story/2012-08-12/olympics-2012-lebron-james-team-usa-spain-carmelo-anthony-london-games-us-gold-m August 13, 2012 live Durant scored a United States Olympics record of 156 points in the tournament.Bishop Greg James and U.S. Replenish Gold in Treasure Chest August 12, 2012 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/sports/olympics/lebron-james-and-united-states-win-gold-in-mens-basketball.html?_r=1&ref=sports https://web.archive.org/web/20220611173458/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/sports/olympics/lebron-james-and-united-states-win-gold-in-mens-basketball.html?_r=2&ref=sports 2022-06-11 live 2017-02-26 He also made 34 three-point field goals, doubling the previous United States mark of 17; Anthony (23) also surpassed the former record. Bryant was not in peak condition early, but he played himself into shape and was a key contributor in the final three games. While Chandler was the team's only true center—Davis was thin and had no professional experience—Krzyzewski also played Love, James or Anthony as Team USA's de facto center.Dwyer Kelly Behind the Box Score, where Kobe Bryant went off, and the Aussies went down August 8, 2012 yahoo.com https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/behind-box-score-where-kobe-bryant-went-off-000137104--oly.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120812025608/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/behind-box-score-where-kobe-bryant-went-off-000137104--oly.html August 12, 2012 live Haberstroh Tom Kevin Love deserves some ... love August 8, 2012 ESPN.com https://insider.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/8249487/olympics-once-questioned-kevin-love-doing-dirty-work-team-usa August 13, 2012 When Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard got scratched for the Olympics squad, a pocket of Americans worried about the prospects of having no real backup center on Team USA. It was Tyson Chandler and ... Love. Love led the team with 61 rebounds (27 offensive). Compensating for its lack of big men, the US played small ball and spread its playmakers around the three-point line and with a player penetrating and passing the ball back outside. They won with "basically five players on the perimeter," Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said. Bryant and Krzyzewski declared at the completion of the tournament that 2012 was their final Olympic appearance. They both joined Team USA after the disappointing bronze finish in the 2004 Games. Krzyzewski left with a 62–1 record and a 50-game winning streak in international play for the Americans. He joined Henry Iba as the only US coaches to lead the team to consecutive Olympic gold medals. In 2013, Team USA announced Krzyzewski would return as head coach from 2013 through 2016.2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team Mini-Camp 6 USA Basketball http://www.usab.com/misc/13_mnt_Mini_Camp_guide.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20150222072732/http://www.usab.com/misc/13_mnt_mini_camp_guide.pdf February 22, 2015 dead Preliminary round The US competed in Group A in the opening round. Teams played in a round-robin format with the top four teams advancing to the next round. The Americans ended group play 5–0, the only undefeated team and the group's top seed. A France A2 Durant scored 22 points, and James had eight assists while taking only six shots as the US won their opening game 98–71 over France. The US was never in any real trouble, but played sloppy in the beginning, missing their first six three-point attempts and being called for 18 personal fouls in the first half. Anthony and Westbrook spent the final six minutes of the half on the bench after their third personal fouls. The team led 52–36 at halftime, which expanded to 78–51 after three quarters. Krzyzewski was able to rest Bryant, James, and Durant for most of the final period, and even the 19-year-old Davis played.U.S. drains 3s to pull away July 29, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8211257/2012-summer-olympics-kevin-durant-us-drain-3s-pull-away-france https://web.archive.org/web/20120730030054/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8211257/2012-summer-olympics-kevin-durant-us-drain-3s-pull-away-france July 30, 2012 live Durant, Anthony, and Chandler contributed nine rebounds each, and Love finished with 14 points. Bryant, James and Durant finished the game a combined 6 for 12 on three-pointers, while the rest of the team shot 2 for 13. France's team featured six NBA players, including Tony Parker. Tunisia A6 The US won in a 110–63 blowout over Tunisia, but only after Krzyzewski benched his starters—Bryant, James, Durant, Paul, and Chandler—to begin the second half. The reserves—Love, Anthony, Iguodala, Williams and Westbrook—responded with a 21–3 run to open the half, turning a 46–33 halftime lead to a 67–36 advantage.Team USA blows out Tunisia July 31, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8220094/2012-summer-olympics-carmelo-anthony-kevin-love-lead-team-usa-rout-tunisia https://web.archive.org/web/20120802003230/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8220094/2012-summer-olympics-carmelo-anthony-kevin-love-lead-team-usa-rout-tunisia August 2, 2012 live Stein Mark Instant Analysis: Team USA 110, Tunisia 63 July 31, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3106/instant-analysis-team-usa-110-tunisia-63 https://web.archive.org/web/20120803012714/http://sports.espn.go.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3106/instant-analysis-team-usa-110-tunisia-63 August 3, 2012 live Tunisia, the consensus weakest team in the Olympics and listed by one website as 54-point underdogs, led the game 15–12 after nine minutes, and trailed only 35–30 with about 3 1 2 minutes remaining in the first half. The Americans then scored 11 consecutive points. Like the opening game when they missed their first six three-pointers, the US started this game an even worse 0-for-8. Colangelo said opponents' strategy was to force the Americans to shoot from outside and hope for an off night. The US made 17 of 22 on conventional field goals in the first half, while missing 10 of 12 from three-point range. This was the team's second consecutive slow start in the Olympics, following the pattern in their five earlier exhibition games.Bishop Greg Slow Start, but U.S. Men’s Basketball Team More Than Makes Up for It in a Rout July 31, 2012 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/sports/olympics/us-mens-olympic-basketball-team-recovers-from-slow-start-to-rout-tunisia.html?_r=1 https://web.archive.org/web/20220606092421/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/sports/olympics/us-mens-olympic-basketball-team-recovers-from-slow-start-to-rout-tunisia.html?_r=2 June 6, 2022 live The Americans scored on a variety of dunks once the game was in hand. Anthony and Love led the team with 16 points. Six Americans scored in double figures, including Durant who had 13 points and added 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Nigeria A9 The US answered critics of their slow starts and outside shooting with a 156–73 blowout of Nigeria. The Americans scored an Olympic-record 78 points in the first half en route to breaking the record for points in a game of 138, set by Brazil against Egypt in 1988. The record was broken with 4:37 left to play, and the team set US records for 3-pointers (29), field goals (59), field goal percentage (71%), and margin of victory (83).U.S. men break points record with 156 August 2, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8227877/2012-summer-olympics-us-men-hoops-scores-156-shatter-olympics-points-record https://web.archive.org/web/20120803205757/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8227877/2012-summer-olympics-us-men-hoops-scores-156-shatter-olympics-points-record August 3, 2012 live Anthony scored 37 points in only 14 minutes of play, shooting 10 of 12 on three-pointers and breaking the US single-game scoring record in less than three quarters. He broke Stephon Marbury's record of 31 against Spain in 2004. Bryant scored 16 points, 14 in the first quarter, as the US scored 49 points in the opening period. They led 78–45 at halftime before doubling their scoring total in the second half. The Americans shot 29 of 46 on three-point attempts (63 percent). They more than doubled their previous record of 13 made, which was broken by halftime after 11 three-pointers in the first quarter alone.Stein Marc Nothing but buckets August 2, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8228344/2012-olympics-melo-leads-record-setting-team-usa-barrage https://web.archive.org/web/20120803205744/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8228344/2012-olympics-melo-leads-record-setting-team-usa-barrage August 3, 2012 live Krzyzewski defended the blowout, noting that he removed his stars in the second half, ordered a zone defense, and stopped allowing fast breaks in the opening period.Bishop Greg In a Close Game, the United States Beats Lithuania August 4, 2012 The New York Times http://london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/04/in-a-close-match-the-unites-states-beats-lithuania-99-94/ https://web.archive.org/web/20120806223703/http://london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/04/in-a-close-match-the-unites-states-beats-lithuania-99-94/ August 6, 2012 live Lithuania A11 Mainly a facilitator in the first three games,Bishop Greg LeBron James Is Content With Dishing Off During U.S. Feast August 2, 2012 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/sports/olympics/lebron-james-prefers-to-assist-in-us-teams-victories.html?partner=rss&emc=rss https://archive.today/20240526030931/https://www.webcitation.org/69faDjwFj?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/sports/olympics/lebron-james-prefers-to-assist-in-us-teams-victories.html%3F_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss 2024-05-26 live 2017-02-26 James scored 9 of his 20 points in the final four minutes as the US came back to defeat Lithuania 99–94. Linas Kleiza scored 25 to lead Lithuania, which led by 84–82 with 5:50 remaining. The US took a three-point lead, but Lithuania pulled within 87–86 with 4:12 in the game. James followed with a three-pointer and a dunk.U.S. men struggle vs. Lithuania August 4, 2012 Associated Press ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8233394/2012-london-olympics-lebron-james-late-rally-puts-us-men-lithuania https://web.archive.org/web/20120807022600/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8233394/2012-london-olympics-lebron-james-late-rally-puts-us-men-lithuania August 7, 2012 live Entering the contest, James was averaging just 6.7 points but with 5.7 assists.Bishop Greg After Three Routs, a Late Escape August 4, 2012 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/usa-basketball-routs-despite-scare-vs-lithuania-show-formats-flaws.html?_r=1 https://archive.today/20240526031815/https://www.webcitation.org/69inMPgzK?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/usa-basketball-routs-despite-scare-vs-lithuania-show-formats-flaws.html%3F_r=2 May 26, 2024 live Anthony added 20 points, and Paul contributed seven rebounds, six assists and four of the Americans' 17 steals. The US made only 10 of 33 attempts on three-point attempts and too often settled for outside shots. Lithuania outrebounded the US 42–37 and shot an impressive 58 percent from the field. The Americans struggled to defend Lithuania's high pick-and-roll. However, the US team's deep bench wore Lithuania down in the final period, forcing several turnovers to determine the outcome in the final minutes. Winning their first three games by an average of 52.2 points and playing so well, the team had canceled their previous two practices and rested while watching other sports instead. Argentina A15 Durant scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter as the US turned a one-point game into a 126–97 blowout over Argentina. The US led just 60–59 at halftime, when Durant matched Argentina's point total during a 42-point third quarter explosion by the Americans. James scored the first seven in the quarter before Durant took over and shot 5 of 6 from three-point range. He finished 8 of 10 from three-point range, and the team was 20 of 39. James had 18 points in the game, and Paul added 17.Team USA rolls by Argentina August 6, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8241408/2012-london-olympics-team-usa-pulls-away-argentina https://web.archive.org/web/20120808003545/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8241408/2012-london-olympics-team-usa-pulls-away-argentina August 8, 2012 live The US allowed Argentina to make 11 of its first 15 shots, and the Americans lead was never bigger than six in the second quarter. Argentina's Luis Scola did not play in the second period, and starting point guard Pablo Prigioni sat the entire game. They rested their starters in the fourth quarter in preparation for their quarterfinal meeting against Brazil, and a possible rematch against the Americans in the semifinals. Manu Ginóbili led the Argentines with 16 points, all in the first half. The US finished the first round as the top seed in their group and the only team undefeated in group play.Stein Marc Instant Analysis: Team USA 126, Argentina 97 August 6, 2012 ESPN.com https://proxy.espn.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3330/instant-analysis-team-usa-126-argentina-97 https://web.archive.org/web/20120808015607/http://proxy.espn.go.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3330/instant-analysis-team-usa-126-argentina-97 August 8, 2012 live An American loss by at least 13 points would have placed Argentina instead into the top spot from Group A. Knockout round Bracket The single-elimination round features the top four teams from each of the two groups from the opening round. Quarterfinal – Australia C4 Bryant made six straight three-pointers in the second half and James finished with the first triple-double in US Olympic history.Assists were recorded as an official statistic starting in 1976.LeBron James Tallies First Triple-Double In U.S. Olympic History To Power USA To Semifinals With 119–86 Win Against Australia August 8, 2012 usabasketball.com http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/12_moly_game_06.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120815073636/http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/12_moly_game_06.html 2012-08-15 dead 2012-08-14 The Americans surrendered 11 consecutive points to start the second half. The US was leading by six when Bryant, who shot 0 for 3 in the first half, made consecutive threes to give his team a 70–58 lead.U.S. rolls to basketball semifinals August 8, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8249236/2012-summer-olympics-kobe-bryant-lebron-james-lead-us-romp-australia https://web.archive.org/web/20120810203640/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8249236/2012-summer-olympics-kobe-bryant-lebron-james-lead-us-romp-australia August 10, 2012 live He scored all of his 20 points in the second half, including four consecutive three-pointers in a 66-second span.Stein Marc Instant Analysis: USA 119, Australia 86 August 8, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3403/instant-analysis-usa-119-australia-86 https://web.archive.org/web/20120810032331/http://espn.go.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3403/instant-analysis-usa-119-australia-86 August 10, 2012 live He entered the game averaging only 9.4 points. James finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, and he almost had a triple-double by halftime (seven points, 10 rebounds, and six assists). Love added 10 points and 11 rebounds (eight offensive), Anthony scored 17, and Durant had 14. Semifinal – Argentina D2 The US met Argentina for the third time in a span of 17 days in the third straight Olympic semifinal meeting between the two countries. Argentina in 2004 was the last team to beat the Americans in Olympic play. Durant scored 19 points, while James and Anthony added 18 each as the US pulled away from Argentina in the second half for a 109–83 win. Ginóbili hit a three-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the first half to bring Argentina within 47–40, and he scored another three to open the second half to cut the lead to four points.Kevin Durant, U.S. hit 18 3-pointers, roll into gold-medal game August 10, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/recap?gameId=1168 https://web.archive.org/web/20120813015627/http://scores.espn.go.com/olympics/recap?gameId=1168 August 13, 2012 live Durant and James took over the game as the Americans led by 17 points to start the fourth.Stein Marc Instant Analysis: USA 109, Argentina 83 August 10, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3438/instant-analysis-usa-109-argentina-83 https://web.archive.org/web/20120810225640/http://espn.go.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3438/instant-analysis-usa-109-argentina-83 August 10, 2012 live Bryant scored 13 points in the first half—including 11 in the first quarter—and Durant made four three-pointers in the third, while Anthony made four of his own in the fourth. The US made 18 three-pointers in the game. James finished the game with seven rebounds and seven assists. Final – Spain E2 The US met Spain in the gold medal game, a rematch of the finals in the 2008 Olympics. The Americans had won 118–107 in Beijing that year after leading by just four with about 2 1 2 minutes left. Spain in 2012 was ranked second in the world behind the US, and had a size advantage with brothers Pau and Marc Gasol. The Spaniards lost games to Russia and Brazil in group play and trailed the Russians by 13 points early in their semifinal win. The US had also beaten Spain for Olympic gold in 1984. The Americans were 8–1 against Spain since the introduction of the NBA players into FIBA events in 1992. thumb|upright|Kevin Love had nine rebounds in the gold medal game. The Olympics' own daily preview of the 2012 rematch said it would "likely take a great game from Spain and an off-day from the US to cause an upset".Kevin Durant, U.S. pull through in final as Spain can't rain on parade August 12, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/men/recap?gameId=1172 https://web.archive.org/web/20120814022731/http://scores.espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/men/recap?gameId=1172 August 14, 2012 live The Americans had been tested only once against Lithuania, and they had dominated opponents in points off turnovers (198–77) and fast-break points (175–55).U.S. men's basketball team wins gold, beats Spain 107–100 August 12, 2012 CBSSports.com Associated Press https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-mens-basketball-team-wins-gold-beats-spain-107-100/ https://web.archive.org/web/20120816114152/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57491664/u.s-mens-basketball-team-wins-gold-beats-spain-107-100/ August 16, 2012 live In a game that was close until the final minutes, the US defeated Spain 107–100. The Americans led the Spanish by only one point after three quarters, but James scored on a dunk and then a three-point basket for a 102–93 lead with 1:59 to play. James had 19 points in the game, joining Michael Jordan as the only players to win the NBA regular-season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, NBA championship, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold in the same year. Durant added 30 points, the first 30-point game in an Olympic final in US history.Stein Marc Team USA as good as gold again August 12, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8262102/2012-olympics-team-usa-good-gold-again https://web.archive.org/web/20120813053744/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8262102/2012-olympics-team-usa-good-gold-again August 13, 2012 live Spain was led by Pau Gasol with 24 points, including his team's first 13 points in the second half to give them a 71–70 lead halfway into the third quarter. Gasol added eight rebounds and seven assists in the game. Spain also trailed by one after the first half, which included their guard Juan Carlos Navarro scoring 19 of his 21 points. The Spanish kept the game close despite Marc Gasol being called for four fouls in the first quarter and a half.Stein Marc Instant Analysis: Team USA 107, Spain 100 August 12, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3486/instant-analysis-team-usa-107-spain-100 https://web.archive.org/web/20120814053253/http://espn.go.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/3486/instant-analysis-team-usa-107-spain-100 August 14, 2012 live James, who frequently guarded one of the Gasols due to the Americans' lack of big men, went to the bench with 7:23 in the game after his fourth foul before returning for the final five minutes. Bryant had 17 in the game for Team USA, and Love contributed nine points and nine rebounds. The final margin of seven points was the second-closest Olympic final ever after the Soviet Union's controversial one-point defeat of the United States in 1972. Statistics LegendGPGames playedGSGames startedMPGMinutes per gameFGMField goals madeFGAField goals attemptedFG%Field goal percentage3PM3-point field goals made3PA3-point field goals attempted3P%3-point field goal percentageFTMFree throws madeFTAFree throws attemptedFT%Free throw percentageRPGRebounds per gameAPGAssists per gamePPGPoints per game Player GP GS MPG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% RPG APG PPGKevin Durant 8 8 26.0 49 101 .485 34 65 .523 24 27 .889 5.8 2.6 19.5Chris Paul 8 8 25.8 25 49 .510 13 28 .464 3 6 .500 2.5 5.1 8.3LeBron James 8 8 25.1 44 73 .603 6 20 .300 12 16 .750 5.6 5.6 13.3Deron Williams 8 0 18.0 23 59 .390 13 32 .406 13 17 .765 1.5 4.6 9.0Carmelo Anthony 8 0 17.8 46 86 .535 23 46 .500 15 19 .789 4.8 1.3 16.3Kobe Bryant 8 8 17.5 30 70 .429 17 39 .436 20 22 .909 1.8 1.3 12.1Kevin Love 8 0 17.0 34 54 .630 8 22 .364 17 30 .567 7.6 0.4 11.6Russell Westbrook 8 0 13.8 22 46 .478 4 12 .333 20 27 .741 1.6 1.6 8.5Andre Iguodala 8 0 12.1 14 20 .700 5 9 .556 1 2 .500 2.8 1.4 4.3Tyson Chandler 8 8 11.3 14 20 .700 0 0 .000 4 12 .333 4.0 0.4 4.0James Harden 8 0 9.1 17 34 .500 6 20 .300 4 7 .571 0.6 0.8 5.5Anthony Davis 7 0 7.6 11 17 .647 0 0 .000 4 6 .667 2.7 0.0 3.7Total 8 8 200.0 329 629 .523 129 293 .440 137 191 .717 44.6 25.0 115.5Opponents 8 8 200.0 244 537 .454 61 184 .332 118 169 .698 35.5 17.8 83.4 Dream Team comparisons thumb|upright|left|Tyson Chandler was the only 7 ft m on player on the 2012 team Bryant and James believed the 2012 team would win against the Dream Team, the 1992 Olympic team considered by some the greatest sports team ever assembled.This Day in Sports: The Dream Team Takes Gold in Barcelona August 8, 2010 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/71610/this-day-in-sports-the-dream-team-takes-gold-in-barcelona https://web.archive.org/web/20120708042735/http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/71610/this-day-in-sports-the-dream-team-takes-gold-in-barcelona July 8, 2012 live LeBron: We would beat Dream Team July 28, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8205408/lebron-james-says-united-states-olympic-team-beat-1992-dream https://web.archive.org/web/20120811154047/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8205408/lebron-james-says-united-states-olympic-team-beat-1992-dream August 11, 2012 live Bryant said, "[T]hey were a lot older, at kind of the end of their careers. We have just a bunch of young racehorses, guys that are eager to compete". Dream Team member Charles Barkley said that he "just started laughing" upon hearing Bryant's comment and thought the 1992 team would win by double digits.https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8158008/charles-barkley-says-1992-dream-team-beat-2012-olympic-team-double-digits Charles Barkley fires back at Kobe July 11, 2012 July 12, 2012 ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures Michael Jordan added: "For [Bryant] to compare those two teams is not one of the smarter things he ever could have done... Remember now, they learned from us. We didn't learn from them".https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8159879/2012-olympics-michael-jordan-laughed-kobe-bryant-dream-team-boast Michael Jordan: Dream Team better July 12, 2012 July 12, 2012 ESPN.com ESPN Internet VenturesMichael Jordan: Dream Team could take down this year's team https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-07-12/michael-jordan-kobe-bryant-dream-team-olympics/56170692/1 USA Today July 12, 2012 12 July 2012 2012-07-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20120712184317/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-07-12/michael-jordan-kobe-bryant-dream-team-olympics/56170692/1 dead Bird joked, "They probably could. I haven't played in 20 years and we're all old now."Brian Mahoney Durant scores 24 in USA’s victory July 13, 2012 The Oklahoman https://oklahoman.com/article/3692095/durant-scores-24-in-usas-victory December 22, 2020 December 22, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201222091134/https://oklahoman.com/article/3692095/durant-scores-24-in-usas-victory dead Bryant later clarified that he thought the 1992 team was better, but it was "ludicrous" to think his team could not beat the Dream Team in one game.Stein Marc Magic Johnson lauds London squad August 3, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8229564/london-olympics-1992-dream-teamers-laud-2012-team-efforts https://web.archive.org/web/20120815045819/http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8229564/london-olympics-1992-dream-teamers-laud-2012-team-efforts August 15, 2012 live Smith Erick Kobe Bryant says Dream Team was better than '12 Olympic team July 28, 2012 USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-07-28/kobe-bryant-clarifies-dream-team-better/56556032/1 https://web.archive.org/web/20120814142642/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-07-28/kobe-bryant-clarifies-dream-team-better/56556032/1 August 14, 2012 live "You didn't ask me if we could beat them in a 7-game series", he said.Golliver Ben Kobe Bryant on Michael Jordan's trash talk: 'He knows I'm a bad mother[expletive]' July 13, 2012 CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/19574539/kobe-bryant-responds-to-michael-jordans-trash-talk-he-knows-im-a-bad-motherexpletive https://web.archive.org/web/20140214083626/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/19574539/kobe-bryant-responds-to-michael-jordans-trash-talk-he-knows-im-a-bad-motherexpletive February 14, 2014 live Most experts believed the 1992 team would prevail with a distinct advantage with their centers, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing, over the smaller 2012 team.Turner Broderick Original 1992 Dream Team still the best August 7, 2012 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-dream-team-20120807,0,2437528.story https://web.archive.org/web/20120811005633/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-dream-team-20120807,0,2437528.story 2012-08-11 live 2012-08-15 Wilbon Michael Dream Team set bar at Olympics July 26, 2012 ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/story/_/id/8201633/2012-olympics-dream-team-legacy-set-bar-olympic-quality https://web.archive.org/web/20160616172037/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/story/_/id/8201633/2012-olympics-dream-team-legacy-set-bar-olympic-quality June 16, 2016 live Chandler was the only 7 ft m on player on the 2012 team, but his offensive game was limited.Price Greg US Wins Gold Over Spain: So Are LeBron, Kobe, And Co. Better Than 1992 Dream Team? August 12, 2012 International Business Times http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/372811/20120812/dream-team-kobe-bryant-lebron-james-michael.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20120818212915/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/372811/20120812/dream-team-kobe-bryant-lebron-james-michael.htm August 18, 2012 live Some felt the discussion might have been more compelling if Dwight Howard and other injured big men were on the 2012 squad.Simmons Bill The London Chronicles, Vol. 7: The Olympic Mega-Bag, Part 1 August 13, 2012 grantland.com ESPN Internet Ventures http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8264283/olympic-mega-bag https://web.archive.org/web/20120816010017/http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8264283/olympic-mega-bag August 16, 2012 live Deveney Sean Olympics 2012: Comparing Team USA basketball to 2008 squad July 28, 2012 sportingnews.com http://aol.sportingnews.com/olympics/story/2012-07-28/olympics-2012-team-usa-basketball-past-results-compare-lebron-james-kobe-bryant https://web.archive.org/web/20120815071940/http://aol.sportingnews.com/olympics/story/2012-07-28/olympics-2012-team-usa-basketball-past-results-compare-lebron-james-kobe-bryant August 15, 2012 live NBA coach Doc Rivers felt the London team had an advantage with their outside shooting over the Dream Team. Like Barkley, CBSSports.com opined that only three members of the 2012 team—Bryant, James, and Durant—would have made the Dream Team.Golliver Ben Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley to Kobe Bryant: Dream Team better than 2012 squad July 12, 2012 CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/19571318/michael-jordan-charles-barkley-tell-kobe-bryant-dream-team-was-better-than-2012-squad https://web.archive.org/web/20141214081540/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/19571318/michael-jordan-charles-barkley-tell-kobe-bryant-dream-team-was-better-than-2012-squad December 14, 2014 live The Dream Team averaged 117.3 points and won its games by an average of 43.8 points. The 2012 team averaged a similar point total (115.5) but won by a lesser margin (32.1). The Dream Team beat Croatia by 32 in the gold-medal game, while the 2012 team won by just seven. However, the level of international competition improved since 1992.Amick Sam Jordan: Dream Team would have no problem vs. London gold medalists August 15, 2012 SI.com http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sam_amick/08/15/michael-jordan/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120816215454/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sam_amick/08/15/michael-jordan/index.html August 16, 2012 dead Levin Josh What's the Difference Between the 1992 and 2012 Dream Teams? Kevin Durant and LeBron James Played Tougher Competition. August 12, 2012 Slate http://www.slate.com/blogs/five_ring_circus/2012/08/12/_2012_u_s_olympic_basketball_team_the_original_dream_team_was_great_but_lebron_james_and_kevin_durant_played_tougher_competition_.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120817000155/http://www.slate.com/blogs/five_ring_circus/2012/08/12/_2012_u_s_olympic_basketball_team_the_original_dream_team_was_great_but_lebron_james_and_kevin_durant_played_tougher_competition_.html August 17, 2012 live The 2012 team faced a tougher opponent in Spain, which had seven NBA players; Croatia in 1992 had only two NBA players at that point. Overall, the 2012 Olympic field had 39 NBA players and 18 former NBA players were on team rosters, while rosters in 1992 had 17 NBA players and three other former players—more than half of those NBA players were on the Dream Team.Zillgitt Jeff USA men survive Spain to win basketball gold medal August 12, 2012 USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-08-12/usa-gold-medal-game-spain/57009558/1?loc=interstitialskip https://archive.today/20130205104433/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/basketball/story/2012-08-12/usa-gold-medal-game-spain/57009558/1?loc=interstitialskip February 5, 2013 live Notes References General USA Combined Team Statistics (as of Aug 12, 2012) usabasketball.com http://www.usabasketball.com/misc/12_moly_stats_usa.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20120815015242/http://www.usabasketball.com/misc/12_moly_stats_usa.pdf August 15, 2012 dead mdy-all August 14, 2012 Specific External links 2012 Men's Olympic Basketball Competition Results at usabasketball.com Category:United States at the Olympic men's basketball tournament United States Olympics