United States Basketball Gold Medal Victory

"I define passion as extreme emotion."

-Coach K

Extreme emotion was shown today during the gold medal game between the United States of America and Spain in basketball.  The Americans knew they were going to be up against a challenge consisting of the Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka down low, but I don't think they could have imagined the amazing play of Juan Carlos Navarro.  Navarro put up 21 points and was a beast on the defensive end. Marc Gasol got into early foul trouble and had to sit half the second period and the entire third period.  He would come back in about half way through the fourth, but by that time the game was already in the balance and the US had taken control.  Pau Gasol had 15 third quarter point but his 24 point, 8 rebound, 7 assist game was not enough to lift his country to victory.  For the United States, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant put on a show, but I think that LeBron James deserves a huge amount of the credit.  He buried a huge three with three minutes to go to put the United States up 102-93 and thats what champions are made of.  After the final horn sounded and the USA team players were walking around with the American flag draped around their necks and "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen was being played over the loud speakers, I couldn't help but get goose bumps.  These players had just won a gold medal for the entire nation.  They are national heroes.