USA Basketball 2012: Team USA Barely Beats Brazil

The chatter over who would win a fantasy matchup between the current US Olympic basketball team and the "92" Dream Team has not shown any signs of simmering down. 

Attempting to put Kobe's bold statement of confidence behind them, the redeem team played its final game on US turf before shipping off to the London games.  Team USA, who early in the game had rallied from a 10 point deficit, barely held onto win an exhibition against Brazil 80-69, in what was predicted to be a blow out.

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LeBron James led the team with 30 points in the win.  However, two didn't fare as well as the King: Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, who both struggled making shots.  Durant was 1 for his first 6 and finished with 10 points and Melo was 0 for 4 with a measly 3 points.

"You can learn from either situation (a big win or a closer victory), we learned from being down early and just kept fighting. We got steals, we got easy layups and getting to the free throw line," said Durant according to The Baltimore Sun.

According to the Sporting News, Team USA Coach Mike Kryzewski had the following to say about the matchup with Brazil:

"I felt our defense won the game," said Krzyzewski.  "It was outstanding for three quarters, especially because we didn't hit shots. And we missed dunks. I liked the mental toughness of our team. We kept reminding them, 'We're not doing it on offense. Don't let it affect defense.' And I thought it didn't."

President Obama and first lady Michelle were in attendance as well.  They apparently locked lips on the kiss cam to a standing ovation. 

The Commander-In-Chief chimed in on the Dream Team saga that has people buzzing:

"This is a generational thing," Obama said at Washington's Verizon Center. "I was around in '92 and I was a Bulls fan, so I've got to go with the original 'Dream Team'."

Last time I checked, isn't it the year 2012?  Hasn't Kobe and the gang ever read "The Power Of Now?"  All due respect Team USA, if you want gold medals you're not going to win them in 1992! 

Team USA will head to Manchester, England to face Britain this Thursday. 

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