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Four years after China put an over-time scare into Spain's NBA-laden silver medal Olympic squad, Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol and his Spanish teammates made certain it would not happen again.

Gasol scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to spark the Spaniards over China 97-81 on Sunday in their Group B round-robin men's basketball opener, even though NBA standout Yi Jianlian pushed the European champions to the end.

"We were missing a little bit of rhythm, but we will fix it and get better as the days go by," Gasol said.

Serge Ibaka, another NBA standout on a team filled with such talent, added 17 points as the Spaniards ripped a Chinese team that had pushed them to over-time in 2008 group play before losing 85-75.

Yi of the Dallas Mavericks led China with game highs of 30 points and 12 rebounds while Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese player in the NBA who now plays in China, contributed 15 points.

Spain's Jose Calderon, who added 12 points, said that even without retired 2.29m centre Yao Ming, the Chinese side was as stubborn as in 2008 at Beijing.

"They were not that different," Calderon said. "Yao is not there but everything revolves around Yi."

China jumped ahead 7-3 in the first five minutes as Spain struggled early.

Read More: www-abs-cbnnews-com/sports/07/30/12/nbas-gasol-ibaka-lead-spain-over-china

On one hand Jacque Vaughn can breathe a sigh of relief and rest secure in the knowledge that he is one of only 30 people on this planet who will be coaching an NBA team this fall.

On the other hand, the first time head coach could be biting off a little more that he can chew in Orlando.

Vaughn, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio and was a member of its 2006-07 championship team as a player, was tabbed to take over a Magic team which has been a legitimate NBA contender since Dwight Howard developed into perhaps the game's most dominant big man.

Read more here: The Sixth Man: Vaughn takes over untenable situation in Orlando - NBA: Pro Basketball - Modbee-com

The NBA released its 2012-13 schedule on Thursday, and it's packed with plenty of attractive storylines. No game, however, figures to draw more attention than when LeBron James and the defending champion Miami Heat play Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers' new point guard on Jan. 17 in L.A.

Bryant says he hasn't played with a real point guard since he teamed with Nick Van Exel from 1996-98. He'll now play with one of the best in Steve Nash. Nash's playmaking skills also should benefit the Lakers' 7-footers, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

James is still the world’s best player, and in addition to Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he now has Ray Allen on his side. And if the Lakers acquire Dwight Howard in a trade before this game? That's one more big star to command attention.

Time will tell if this is an NBA Finals preview or merely the most-hyped game of the season.

Here's nine other games worth watching in the 2012-13 season: NBA's 2012-13 schedule: 10 games to watch - Yahoo! Sports

Anthony Davis is living the dream, slamming down dunks at the London Olympics with the latest incarnation of the U.S. Dream Team as a 19-year-old player yet to play an NBA game.

Davis was a late addition in place of injured forward Blake Griffin of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, and the U.S. college player of the year from national champions Kentucky has stepped up and won rave reviews from his illustrious team mates.

"He's great. He's going to be a great pro," said LeBron James, the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals in June where he lead the Miami Heat to victory.

"He's going to be a special player. You can definitely see that,' added three-time NBA All-Star guard Deron Williams.

"He's going to be a phenomenal player. He's one of those guys who's going to change a franchise for decades," said three-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant.

Read More: Olympics: NBA number one pick Davis living the dream at London Games | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere

Carmelo Anthony says the US Olympic team of NBA stars was not trying to send a message to the original Dream Team when it scored the most points in a game in Olympic history in routing Nigeria 156-73.

But the Americans clearly sent a message to the basketball world on Thursday with an incredible shooting performance -- this team has bigger dreams than the 1992 originals and the skill to make them come true.

"We're not thinking about what the '92 Dream Team did," Anthony said. "We don't play them. We understand the standard those guys set. We're doing our own thing. We play for ourselves."

Anthony scored a game-high 37 points on 10-of-12 shooting from 3-point range, all of those figures setting US Olympic team records on a night when every American player scored and the team hit 59-of-83 shots, 71 percent.

Read More: US NBA stars rewrite record book to rout Nigeria - Yahoo! Sports

Argentina's Manu Ginobili on Thursday added his voice to the chorus of players lamenting a possible move to put an age limit on playing in the Olympics.

The 2014 world championships in Spain have been renamed the World Cup and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) appears poised to try and pattern the Olympic tournament after the soccer model with under-23 teams and three age exceptions, leaving fully-fledged national teams to battle in the World Cup.

"If I think about it selfishly, I don't care. I am done, almost for sure. But it would be disappointing," said 35-year-old Ginobili, who is playing in his third Olympics after earning gold at the 2004 Athens Games and a bronze medal in Beijing.

"But it would be disappointing. If I was 24 right now, I would be crying in the corner that I wouldn't have this opportunity in my life.

Read More: NBA star disagrees with age limit | Television New Zealand | News, Sport, Weather, TV ONE, TV2 | TVNZ | OLYMPICS News

A record-shattering scoring binge for the US NBA Olympic Dream Team is bad enough, but what is even worse for the Americans' rivals is the idea that the multi-millionaire superstars have not yet peaked.

The unbeaten US squad will face Lithuania on Saturday seeking to clinch a spot in the medal playoffs and coming off the greatest offensive performance in Olympic history, a jaw-dropping 156-73 rout of Nigeria.

"It will go down in history," US reserve Andre Iguodala said. "It only matters if we achieve our goals. We're trying to get better as a team going forward. Our mission is get the gold. We're trying to peak at the right time."

The NBA lineup connected on 59-of-83 shots, a staggering 71 percent accuracy rate, with a US Olympic record 29 3-pointers on 46 attempts.

Carmelo Anthony scored a US Olympic record 37 points, aided by 10-of-12 shooting from 3-point range, sinking his final five 3-point tries in a row in 2:05 before being benched midway into the third quarter, the US ahead 100-54.

"It was just incredible," Anthony said. "Everybody played off each other, took the shots that were open and they went in."

Every US player scored, each half producing 78 points, a new record score for any half in the Olympics.

Read More: AFP: Historic US NBA squad not even peaking yet

Two days after running and gunning to a record-shattering 83-point win, the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team had to come back in the fourth quarter for a 99-94 win over a fearless Lithuania team that had the Americans in serious trouble until the closing minutes.


Looks like they don't reload their guns in this battle after they fired many in Nigeria game.


Still, they will get the gold for sure!

Team USA squeaked out a 99-94 victory against Lithuania this morning, needing a late push from LeBron James after their opponent held an unexpected 2-point lead in the fourth quarter. But the Americans did earn that elusive W, and while—and after—they did so, many NBA players (both casual observers and members of the squad) took to Twitter with their thoughts on the performance. Roll through the gallery above to see what they had to say.

Without journalists reporting the potential whereabouts of NBA free agents, we might as well not have a period of free agency. After all, it's the heart-stopping rumors that make the shocking decisions so riveting.

As the 2012 period of free agency winds down, don't expect that speculation to hit any sort of a delay. Each and every team will have their fair share of rumors, while players will find their names circulating from day to day and city to city.

So what's on the platter today?

In order to truly understand the world of trade and free agency rumors, one must be able to decipher the possible moves from the speculative theories. In order to do that, the following slides will take the hottest rumors on the market and play a good old game of buy and sell!

Read More: NBA Rumors: Buying or Selling the Top Rumors on the Market | Bleacher Report

The US Olympic Dream Team took a blow and responded with a blowout, answering a "cheap shot" with a scoring blitz Monday in a 126-97 rout of Argentina to remain unbeaten entering the basketball medal playoffs.

Kevin Durant scored 17 of his game-high 28 points in the third quarter after an Argentine side that had come within 86-80 of the Americans in a pre-Olympic tuneup game last month stayed within 60-59 of them at half-time.

But Argentina's Facundo Campazzo made the mistake of angering the NBA stars, bumping Carmelo Anthony in the groin as the New York Knicks playmaker was shooting late in the third quarter.

"It was more than a tap. It was a cheap shot," Anthony said. "I'm fine. I'm cool. He did what he did. It is what it is. You come down in transition and you're wide open and for somebody to do that."

Campazzo said the hit was unintentional but claimed US guard Chris Paul had delivered the first blow by shoving him.

"Before that foul, Chris Paul punched me, but it was part of the game," said Campazzo. "I have no problems with that but I didn't retaliate or anything like that. I didn't hit Carmelo on purpose.

Read More: AFP: US NBA stars deliver Olympic blowout vs Argentina

President Barack Obama is joining NBA legend Michael Jordan and an array of basketball stars to raise money for his re-election campaign later this month.

The Obama campaign is planning a fundraising “shoot-around” and dinner in New York on Aug. 22 featuring several NBA stars, including Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and others. Jordan, who played for the Chicago Bulls, Obama’s favorite NBA team, and NBA Commissioner David Stern are co-hosting a $20,000-per person fundraising dinner with the president later in the day.

Read More: Jordan, NBA players to hold basketball-themed fundraisers for Obama in New York - The Washington Post

Terry Stotts says there a lot of good coaches who don't have good records, and he hopes to show Portland Trail Blazers fans that he's one of them.

Stotts was 115-168 as coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks before spending the past four seasons as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, where he won a championship. He was an assistant under George Karl before he got his first head coaching opportunity.

"George Karl, who I was with for over 10 years in the NBA, didn't have a winning record after his first four years and he's going to be a Hall of Fame coach," Stotts said at his introductory press conference Wednesday. "I think you got to keep learning, you got to keep improving and - you do that - good things are going to happen."

General manager Neil Olshey said he's "absolutely confident" the team found the right coach. Stotts inherits a team that missed the playoffs with a 28-38 record last season and heads into the new campaign with a roster primarily rebuilt with rookies rather than veterans.

Olshey said he spoke with every general manager and head coach that Stotts has worked for, and also talked to players who have been coached by him - from stars such as Dirk Nowitzki to role players.

"Everybody kept talking about how Terry has a plan," he said. "He understands process. He has a long-term outlook for the franchise. He makes guys better."

Read more: Portland Trail Blazers introduce Terry Stotts as coach - NBA - SI-com

Rematch on the semifinals will be more entertaining.

I hope It would be a close game. But for sure Team USA will win.

The Argentines and Americans will meet in the semifinals for the third straight Olympics.

Maybe the disaster hasn't quite been averted yet, but at least it has been postponed.

After recent discussion and rumors that the NBA would pursue a plan to institute a 23-year-old age limit on USA Basketball competitors during the Olympics, SI-com reports on Thursday that NBA players of all ages are expected to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

These Olympics are not expected to bring an immediate end to the "Dream Team'' era of men's basketball, a source told SI-com on Thursday.

The NBA's interest in pursuing an age ceiling for Olympic basketball is "unlikely'' to be instituted in time for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, according to the source, who has direct knowledge of the talks involving the International Olympic Committee and FIBA, the international ruling body for basketball.

Read More: Report: NBA players expected to remain in Olympics for 2016 Games - CBSSports-com

US Olympic NBA stars booked a gold-medal rematch with reigning European champion Spain in Sunday's men's basketball final by blowing out Argentina 109-83 on Friday.

Kevin Durant scored 19 points while Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James added 18 each to lead the US multi-millionaires into a rematch of the 2008 Beijing Olympic final they won 118-107 over a similar Spanish squad full of NBA talent.

"This is the matchup everybody wanted to see," Anthony said. "Any chance to repeat for a gold medal is a great feeling. Anything less than this would have been unsatisfying."

The Americans reached the gold medal game for the 15th time in 17 attempts, having missed out in 1988 and 2004 after skipping the 1980 Moscow Olympics in a boycott.

The US NBA stars seek a 14th all-time gold medal against a Spanish side that defeated Russia 67-59 in Friday's other semi-final.

Argentina, led by 18 points from NBA star Manu Ginobili, will play Russia on Sunday for the bronze medal after fading in the third quarter against a US onslaught.

Read More: AFP: US NBA stars defeat Argentina to reach final

The NBA may be the highest level of professional basketball, but by no means is it the exclusive home for the game's finest players.

During the buildup to the London Olympics, dozens of international stars have shown that they have the credentials to excel on a global stage. The original Dream Team was the catalyst for basketball's intercontinental growth, and 20 years later, the 2012 Olympics is proof positive that there is literally a world of untapped talent out there.

So, as the Olympic basketball tournament draws to a close, here's a look at five international players who have the potential to star in the NBA.


Read More: 5 International Basketball Stars That Would Excel in the NBA | Bleacher Report

The US Olympic NBA Dream Team goes for a golden repeat against reigning European champion Spain in Sunday's men's basketball final, seeking a 14th all-time US gold medal and the fifth in sixth Olympiads. The Americans have run through the tournament undefeated as they did in 2008 when they beat Spain 118-107 in the Beijing final.

Five members of that team and five from the US 2010 world championship team are in the London lineup.

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have been crucial to both US Olympic squads, and Anthony sees this year's squad as the best of the bunch.

"We're better than we were in '08 because we're all better," he said. "It's hard to believe that Kobe and LeBron can be better than they were in '08, but everybody is a lot better. We have a lot more shooters, are a lot more athletic and this team's really really together."

The US team is 61-1 since settling for bronze in 2004 and revamping the program to create the 2008 "Redeem Team" and the current US squad of NBA multi-millionaires whose dynasty inspires top efforts from every rival.

Read More: US NBA Dream Team set for Spain showdown | Bangkok Post: news

THE United States Dream Team of NBA stars captured their second Olympic men's basketball gold medal in a row and the 14th overall for America by beating Spain 107-100 in yesterday's championship game.

The US multi-millionaire lineup of NBA elite claimed their fifth crown in the past six Olympics, improving to 62-1 since revamping the national team program after settling for bronze in 2004.

The Americans ran through the tournament undefeated just as they did in 2008 when they defeated Spain 118-107 in the Beijing final. The latest roster had five gold winners from Beijing and five from the US 2010 world champions.

But reigning European champion Spain, routed by the US NBA stars in a pre-Olympic exhibition game last month in Barcelona, stayed with the defending champions to the very end, keeping within reach until the final minutes.

Kevin Durant led the US stars with 30 points while LeBron James had 19 and Kobe Bryant added 17.

Pau Gasol, Bryant's NBA Los Angeles Lakers' teammate, led Spain with 24 points while Juan-Carlos Navarro added 21 and Rudy Fernandez contributed 14.

The Americans led 83-82 entering the fourth quarter and began picking up the defensive intensity.

Read more: BASKETBALL: US NBA stars beat Spain to take gold - Politics - New Straits Times BASKETBALL: US NBA stars beat Spain to take gold - Politics - New Straits Times

It's no coincidence that LeBron James followed up an MVP-worthy regular season with his first NBA title and second Olympic gold medal.

He's able to lead his teams to greatness thanks in large part to the wide variety of contributions he makes to those teams. Whereas most clubs are happy just to have an elite scorer and some competent role players, James is like a Swiss Army knife.

No matter the need at hand, there's almost certainly some way he can help.

He wasn't the first such player, and he won't be the last. He's just the very best the NBA has to offer at this moment in time.

Here's a look at the 15 most versatile NBA stars of all time, including man-of-the-hour (if not man-of-the-decade) LeBron James.


Read More: LeBron James and the Most Versatile NBA Stars of All Time | Bleacher Report