Youth laden US basketball squad tops World Basketball Championship tournament
The much criticized and belittled United States basketball team is declared as champion in the just concluded World Basketball Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.
The US squad known as the "B-Team" proved their critics wrong by winning the prestigious tournament over host and fellow unbeaten team Turkey in the championship round 81-64.
Oklahoma Thunder superstar forward Kevin Durant played hero for the Americans as he scored 28 points in the game seven of from beyond the arc.
Durant who had a brilliant game all throughout the tournament was also declared as the most valuable player (MVP) in the prestigious basketball event.
The win is very significant for the US since they had not won it since 1994.
New global basketball star and current Oklahoma Thunder superstar forward Kevin Durant.
Lamar Odom added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Americans, who won gold in the worlds for the fourth time, doing so with a team that was no sure thing after coming to Turkey without the superstars from its Olympic gold medal team.
With Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Co. sitting home, this group was called a "B-Team," which the players were aware of and couldn't wait to disprove.
Durant who practically showcased to the world his basketball talent is very happy with their victory since they were able to bring back the crown to the US and successfully proved their detractors wrong.
With their win, the US hoopster already have an automatic slot in the next summer Olympics games.
US basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski is also become the first bench tactician to win both the Olympic basketball gold and World Basketball Championship trophy.
Krzyzewski was also able to show the world that team defense could win championship like what they did against much bigger opponents.
Now that the World Basketball Championship is over, the focus of global basketball fans will now be in the forthcoming National Basketball Association season.
The way each team prepares including the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers the 2010-2011 NBA season promises to be a slam-bang affair to basketball fanatics around the globe.
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