US NBA stars hoping to take Olympics gold

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — A US team of highly-paid NBA stars are tasting gold as they head into Wednesday's Olympic basketball medal round aiming to redeem themselves for a dismal bronze at Athens four years ago.

The explosive team made up of the world's best players such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade were never challenged in breezing through five preliminary games beating opponents by an average of 32 points per match.

"It's going to be like that for the next three, too," NBA scoring champion James said of Wednesday's game against Australia and a possible semi-final and gold medal match.

"We're trying to play with a chip on our shoulder. We go out every night and try to get better."

Renamed the "Redeem team," the current group of American...