USA Beats Down Spain 119-82

Team USA is making a habit out of blowing out teams that are supposed to challenge them. This time it was Spain, who many considered the second best team in the Basketball Olympiad, featuring Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, and Jose Calderon, along with 17 year old sensation Ricky Rubio. With speed, athleticism, and that vaunted European style of play, surely this would be the team that would challenge USA and expose their weaknesses.

And then they stepped on the floor. 119-82, USA.

Where do you want to start? How about three point shooting? That's been a weakness for Team USA. They shot 48% from the arc, with Carmelo Anthony as the spark plug with 16 points. Or defense? They held Spain to 39% shooting, creating 28 turnovers.

LeBron James was out of his mind today, obviously amped up and mouthing off. He finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. Yikes. Dwyane Wade 2.0 was again spectacular, with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals (and a few more that weren't attributed because they ended up in someone else's hands). USA had 8 players in double figures.

Felipe Reyes had 19 points and 8 rebounds for Spain, and Pau Gasol chipped in 13 points, but also had 5 turnovers, as Team USA swarmed him the block. Spain's NBA-experienced guards, Juan Carlos Navarro and Jose Calderon, along with future first round pick Ricky Rubio combined to shoot 4 of 23 from the field, with 7 turnovers and 4 assists.

The game started close like Team USA's other games. But as usual, when USA's second squad hit the floor with Wade and Chris Bosh, the defense surged, and Team USA pulled away. Chris Paul was also terrific off the bench, scoring 14 points and adding 8 assists and 5 steals.

With the 37 point win, Team USA clinched first place in its group. They have one more pool play game versus Germany, and then it's medal round play, where they'll face either Croatia or Australia in the first round.

Team USA has looked terrific, particularly in the two games they were expected to struggle the most, but pool games aren't as crucial as medal-round games, which are one-and-done. On the other hand,if their performance today is any indicator, they're ready for the pressure to increase. This team seems to thrive on it, and have approached each obstacle with a heightened sense of determination. The show continues.