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Strict Standards: mktime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 19
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 28
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 30
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 32
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 33
Strict Standards: mktime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 19
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 28
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 30
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 32
Strict Standards: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /homepages/45/d96268876/htdocs/elmundo/wp-includes/functions.php on line 33
24 August 2008
“It will probably go down as one of the greatest Olympic games ever,” and exuberant LeBron James said after the USA’s hard-fought triumph over Spain in the gold medal match.
I think most fans would agree.
After being humiliated by over 35 points the first time the two teams met, Spain had redemption on their minds. And it showed early. Time and time again, the US would gain a lead in double digits, only for the Spanish to bring it back down to 4 or 5 points. Frustrating the Americans early and often, it became quite clear before halftime that the US had a fight on their hands. This was not going to be a 35 point blow out or an easy cruise to the gold.
It was quite the opposite.
Pau Gasol, and his brother Marc, spearheaded a Spanish attack (along with youngster Ricky Rubio) that would push the Americans to the limits. Spain’s Rudy Fernandez hit 3-pointer after 3-pointer to tally 22 points and keep them in the game.
With three minutes to play, and team USA in a dog fight (up by 5), one man stood up and not only put a dagger through the Spanish Coat of Arms but twisted it until the yellow stripe was stained red.
A much more mature Kobe Bryant flat refused to lose. The pain and embarrassment of receiving the bronze four years ago in Athens must have been resonating in his mind as he was fouled while draining a 3-pointer, sending Fernandez to the bench for the rest of the game. With the ever so slightest of gestures, Bryant put his finger to his mouth, quieting the Spanish fans and any hope of an historic comeback.
As the last few seconds ticked away, the USA players and coaches raised their arms in victory. With smiles on their faces and exhaustion evident in their strut, the Americans held their heads higher than anyone as they embraced each other as brothers.
After the win, a joyous LeBron James exclaimed, “If it wasn’t for the determination and willpower we had, we wouldn’t be back on top of the world, which is where we are.”
You’re right LeBron, you are on top of the world. And you deserve it more than ever.
You have redemption.
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