US Men Back on Top With Basketball Gold

The US Men's Basketball Olympic team pulled off a hard-fought victory to beat Spain 118-107 today to grab the gold medal. The US team has won gold every Olympics but three, including embarrassing defeats in 2004. "Much respect to Spain, but the US is back on top again," boasted player LeBron James. The US women's basketball team nailed gold yesterday. Spain brought on a surprisingly tough game after being trounced by the Yanks earlier in the competition.

The US team led by just 4 point with 2.5 minutes left to play. Dwayne Wade—who scored a total of 27 points, with Kobe Bryant racking up 20—quickly made a 3-pointer and added a lay-in off a pass from Bryant. When it was over, "Redeem Team" USA—peppered with NBA multi-millionaire players—partied at midcourt with Born in the USA blasting on loudspeakers. Argentina won the bronze. (More Kobe Bryant stories.)