Monday August 25 2008 - 11:10pm Eastern
With the U.S. beating Spain for the gold … and Argentina knocking off Lithuania to take home the bronze … 24 current or former NBA players became medalists in Beijing.
That’s a pretty lofty number considering the NBA was represented by 42 players (past or present) on 12 different rosters/countries … the highest total since NBA players first started competing in the Olympic Games back in ‘92.
Let’s take a look at the medalists with connections to the Association:
Gold Medalists
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets) United States
Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz) United States
Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) United States
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) United States
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) United States
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) United States
Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks) United States
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets) United States
Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons) United States
Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks) United States
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) United States
Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) United States
Silver Medalists
Jose-Manuel Calderon (Toronto Raptors) Spain
Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers) Spain
Jorge Garbajosa (Toronto Raptors 07 – 08) Spain
Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies) Spain
Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers) Spain
Raul Lopez (Utah Jazz 02 – 05) Spain
Juan Carlos Navarro (Memphis Grizzlies 07 – 08) Spain
Bronze Medalists
Carlos Delfino (Toronto Raptors 07 – 08, Detroit Pistons 04 – 07) Argentina
Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs) Argentina
Andres Nocioni (Chicago Bulls) Argentina
Fabricio Oberto (San Antonio Spurs) Argentina
Luis Scola (Houston Rockets) Argentina
E. Smith
* files from the NBA head office in New York
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this shows the domination of the NBA as a league in the global look of things.
- BehzadI still don’t see why carlos delfino was not signed by any nba teams. 20 and 10 in the bronze medal game. It can’t be his skills eric, do you have some insight. (big man who can shoot,bang and ball handle) what! Will this guy have another shot or will european teams pay him enough too stay overseas.
- Rob (Mad dog)houghJust found out delfino’s makeing 10 million per season. Enough said.
- Rob (Mad dog)houghHey Eric,
How much/little are the Raptors going to miss: Carlos Delfino?
- SnapTopicRob - ya, $10 million says it all! Ha. I was very surprised that no NBA team made him a big enough offer (in his eyes) to keep him here; but nobody was going to pay $10 mill.
- E. SmithSnap - I think he’ll be missed … in terms of his defence, and ability to get to the hoop, etc.
However, as the season wore on I think he stopped driving, wasn’t as aggressive, and showed some inconsistency in his place. I think with Parker, Moon, Kapono … and then depth with Adams, Graham, and Solomon … the Raps should be okay at the 2-3 without Delfino
- E. SmithRaps Gold
- James BorbathRaps Silver
Raps Bronze
It is a good triva question and I doubt has ever happened before. 07/08 Raptors History Moment.