But then, the inevitable happened.
Just like you can't expect Vegas summers to remain cool.
There was plenty of heat inside the gym as well.
It was like Tiger Woods on the final day of a major. Nobody was stopping them.
Through the first half of the game, Puerto Rico led by Carlos Arroyo and Larry Ayuso were playing an uptempo game reminiscent of last year's Golden State Warriors. Hardly any structure, but an excellent way to keep the opponents guessing.
But the U.S. kept adding to their point total, and Puerto Rican players were harassed on all angles from a swarming defense led by Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd. And after a series of plays involving Melo crushing an alley-oop and Lebron James orchestrating a magnificent concert in the form of crisp passing and in-the-paint drop-offs, the game was over.
I'm pretty sure, Puerto Rico got the memo.
"Mamba, Melo, and the King are in town."
But there was no stopping the three greatest scoring threats on planet Earth.
The plays were different, but the story remained the same. Carmelo scorched Puerto Rico from the perimeter. Lebron showed the world, an uncanny completeness and hunger in his game. And of course the now 30 year old, and veteran of the team, Kobe, who can and will score from anywhere on the hardwood.
The total points scored read like a runningback's rushing yards:
68% shooting, good for 130 points in 8 less minutes than in an NBA game.
Even the Phoenix Suns couldn't do that.
They went 23-36 from three point land. Lithuania-esque numbers.
It all adds up to a huge W, an Olympic berth, and a renewed confidence in international play.
The drama continues....I mean, the routs continue.
(Good vibes on Dream Team 2007)
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