2. Pau Gasol vs. Australia
Final Score: Spain, 89; Australia, 88
Box Score: 31 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 12-of-15 FG, 1-of-2 3P, 6-of-9 FT
Even while on the back-half of his career, Pau Gasol still producing at a steady enough clip to remain an All-Star on the wrong side of 30. That summer, the former two-time NBA champion inked a t2o-year, $30 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, giving the Spurs an imposing frontcourt alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.
Beforehand, Gasol was working to catapult Spain to the next level. After back-to-back silver medals in 2008 and 2012, Spain again fell short of the ultimate goal, taking an 82-76 loss to the United States in the semifinal round.
Even with only a bronze medal to fight for, Gasol turned the clock back to his younger days, dropping in 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists on a pristine 12-of-15 shooting in an 89-88 victory over Australia and future teammate Patty Mills.
The official Olympic channel created a compilation of Gasol’s top games. That game — which became the highest-scoring Olympic game in Gasol’s career — is highlighted at the 4:32 mark of the video.
For Gasol, a future Hall of Fame lock, the game earns a few extra special points when considering that it could very well be the final he laces up with the “Espana” logo stitched across his chest.
Some of Gasol’s all-time performance is forgotten due to the controversial whistle that sent Sergio Rodriguez to the line, giving Spain a 1-point victory. This is especially since it sent Australia to 0-4 in medal games. But, at the end of the day, Gasol’s showing that night figures to be in the lore of Spain’s great games, regardless of sport.