Congratulations to Chris Paul and Team USA, who defeated Spain 118-107 early this morning to win gold at the Beijing Olympics. Damn game messed up my whole sleepy time but it was sure fun to watch with Spain playing their asses off, Kobe Bryant coming up clutch, and CP showing his usual steady hand throughout.
Paul sank nine free throws in the game -- three of them in the final minute -- and finished with 13 points, 5 assists, 3 boards and 2 steals in just over 24 minutes of burn. For the tournament, CP led the USA in assists (33), assists per turnover (3.7 to 1) and free throw percentage (.917). He was third on the team in minutes (21.9), second in steals (18), and, despite being the shortest guy on the squad, sixth in rebounds (3.6).
Nice job, CP. For your next trick, how about an NBA championship?
Linkage:
8/25/2008 - Update to add this quote from George Shinn...
"I know everyone in New Orleans and all of Louisiana is as proud of Chris Paul as I am. I'm so impressed with how the entire US team handled themselves on and off the court in Beijing and it's great to see our Olympic team back on top of the basketball world. Speaking specifically about Chris, the entire nation and world continues to discover why he is such a remarkable representative for New Orleans, Louisiana and the NBA."
9 legendary comments post your own
Emir lidan
08/24/08 08:21 AM
congratulatons team usa and spain and argentina i watched the whole final game was very good though spain had a chance til that 4 piont play by kobe
#1
digression
08/24/08 11:08 AM
Spain was really good. It was possible that they'd beat USA. USA is very good team and the best team in the world but they're not as dominant as first dream teams... So I wouldn't surprised if team USA would be beaten again in next olympic or World championships.
#2
mW
08/24/08 11:50 AM
From the flashes of brilliance we saw from CP in the Olympics, I really can't wait to see him back with Tyson, Peja, and D-West; Byron pacing the sidelines; and pinstripes. It should be a good season.
www.hornetshype.com #3
Anonymous
08/24/08 11:55 AM
I thought kobe was an embarresment during that final game and throughout the olympics in general. I mean he was so cocky and was acting like an idiot out there. I hate that raper more than ever now.
#4
Ron Hitley
08/24/08 02:14 PM
@Emir: That four-point play was huge. Deron Williams hit a big shot, too. I was surprised that Spain were so close in the fourth quarter but it made for a great game. @digression: I actually think the next US Olympic team might be even stronger. I think a lot of guys will want to play in 2012 given how this team came together and triumphed, so Colangelo will probably have an even better crop to pick from. Also, consider that the young guys like CP, LeBron and Dwight Howard should be hitting the prime of their careers four years from now. Of course, the rest of the world will probably be better, too. I can only imagine how good a guy like Rubio will be in four years. @mW: I'm looking forward to it, too. Just a couple of months away now. You think Byron will bust out a pinstriped suit on opening night to match the new uniforms? Dude just loves himself some coordination.
www.hornets247.com #5
Mikey
08/24/08 02:33 PM
Ron, I don't know if Howard is really a good fit for international basketball. He can jump out of the building and he can block shots, but he just doesn't shoot free throws well enough. In that regard, he is a liability. Who was the center for the US during crunch time in that gold medal game? Answer, Chris Bosh. I think another athletic big that can play the5and can shoot free throws consistantly would be a better fit for the US team in the future. Amare Stoudemire comes to mind, as well as KG. I'm actually kinda suprised that the Spanish didn't impliment the Hack-a-Howard while he was on the floor. Then again,Pop wasn't their coach.
#6
T
08/25/08 12:15 AM
@Ron/ Ryan: I'm wondering about the cap/ luxury tax situation this season and especially next season when CP's extension comes into play. Is it true, that the hornets are already set for luxury tax payment in 2009/2010 with just 10 players in the case Mike James is exercising his players option? I think thats an interesting point when it comes to getting another, desperately needed big.
#7
Ron Hitley
08/25/08 06:41 AM
@T: Honestly, I'm not sure. Ryan is much better than me at all the cap stuff so I'm holding out for him to answer your question.
www.hornets247.com #8
ron jeremy
08/31/08 11:36 AM
i get a hardon watching CP3 take the ball to the hole
#9