Kobe says win over Spain best game so far
Kobe Bryant said the United States 119-82 win over Spain in the Olympics was one of the best games the U.S. has played in international competition.
"It's one of them," said Bryant, the reigning NBA MVP for the Los Angeles Lakers. "We did a pretty good job in the exhibition games, but as far as this tournament goes this is the best that we played."
The United States tied an Olympic record by making 12 3-pointers, won its fourth straight game and remained undefeated. Spain (3-1) lost its first game of the Olympics.
"We started to get our rhythm," Bryant said. "I think that's the difference really. We are starting to get our rhythm, and where the shots are coming from, we are starting to knock them down."
If there was a weakness on the United States team, it was its 3-point and perimeter shooting in the first three games of the Olympics. After its performance against Spain, those shooting woes seem to have disappeared.
Bryant was asked if the United States performance against Spain would put a scare into the other teams in the Olympics.
"Maybe a little bit because everybody knows what a great team Spain is," Bryant said. "I think we sent a pretty strong message tonight."
The United States will be the No. 1 seed in Group A for the medal round quarterfinals. The final preliminary game for the United States is Monday against Germany.
Bryant was asked about his Olympic experience after the game against Spain. He also answered questions about the United States playing a more physical game against Spain
and playing against his Lakers teammate Pau Gasol.
"Wow. I've really just been enjoying it," Bryant said about his first Olympics. "I have been at every event I possibly can go to. I'm just soaking it all in. It's just the joy of sports, and it's just all amazing what sports can do."
The United States forced 28 turnovers and had 16 steals against Spain.
"We wanted to make it a physical game,"Bryant said. "We felt that the game that we played last, which was against Greece, that was physical as well, but we are a pretty strong team. We're used to playing physical."
The United States won the bronze medal at the Olympics in 2004, a disappointing finish that resulted in a more focused and dedicated effort for 2008. So far, the United States has dominated its first four opponents, including Greece, a team the U.S. lost to in the world championships two years ago, and Spain, the reigning world championship team.
"We feel like we are best suited to win the gold medal, and we are going to go for it," Bryant said. "Our last couple outings in the Olympics and world competition hasn't been as stellar, and we are trying to redeem ourselves."
It was the first time Bryant has played against Gasol in international competition. The two played against each other when Gasol was on the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol was traded to the Lakers late last season in the NBA.
"We talk quite a bit actually," Bryant said. "We've talked about three times prior to today, and it was a little weird because we are playing for high stakes going against each other. It's a little different than going against each other in practice."
Byrant was asked if it hurts the Lakers if the United States can expose Gasol defensively.
"They'll figure it out," Bryant said. "He's a great player. To be honest with you, he really doesn't have any weaknesses. That is something that we talked about to prepare for them. He can go left, he can go right, he can shoot. He's good."
Bryant said he was expecting Spain to play a better game and test the United States more than any other team in the Olympics.
"We were expecting them to come out and hit everything, be able to execute their strategy and keep us off balance," Bryant said. "We wanted to take it to them and be physical with them."
The United States scored 32 fast break points, compared to none for Spain.
"We were able to read the floor pretty well and get our hands on balls, get steals and be aggressive," Bryant said. "When we do that, we are at our best."
The United States held Spain to 39.4 percent shooting from the field and to 21.4 percent on 3-pointers.
"We just continue to do what we do best, which is run, execute our zone offense, which is something that we did very well tonight," Bryant said. "And it's something that we are going to need to improve on in the quarterfinals and later rounds."
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