International basketball has seen some fierce battles between NBA superstars from different teams. Team USA once dominated the scene. However, more than a few teams have shocked the Americans over the years. One such team is Spain, who have had some intense games against the USA. Recently, NBA legends Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, and soccer legend Thierry Henry sat down for a discussion.

During the sit-down, the international Hall of Famers eventually discussed their encounters against each others’ national teams. It was then that Nowitzki chose to play the role of devil’s advocate to Pau Gasol.

Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki stir the international pot

Team USA was on a mission for the 2008 Olympics after the dismal showing in the 2004 Olympics and then the 2006 FIBA World Cup. The Redeem Team, filled with legendary names like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and so forth, were ready to obliterate their opponents. Notably, the USA and Spain met twice in the Beijing Olympics. And to the joy of the US, Spain lost by 37 points in the first game.

During an appearance on SKWEEK, Gasol admitted to D-Wade that Team USA dominated. He said, “They actually kicked our a** in that game.” The two countries again faced each other for the Gold medal. This time the game was close but Team USA still clinched the game.

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Wade then asked whether Spain purposely lost that game to affect the Americans’ gameplan during the Finals. The Miami Heat legend noted that there was a common belief that Spain allowed the USA to dominate in the first game. Gasol immediately dismissed the notion.

He claimed that Spain simply had a tendency to start tournaments slowly at that time to get their gears turning. However, Dirk Nowitzki was not ready to let it rest. “You guys always did that. It was actually always talked that you threw one group game so that… I’m not sure…”

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As soon as Dirk said this, the whole room went wild. Tony Parker then talked about how France thought they had a chance against Spain in a Quarter-Final because of Spain’s group stage losses. But, of course, it didn’t work out. Dirk notoriously added, “Lot of shadiness going on.”

However, Pau maintained that he and his teammates started tournaments slowly and turned up the intensity once their backs were against the wall. Clearly, it bore fruit.

Pau Gasol and the Spanish national team

In the 2000s, Pau Gasol was the driving force behind Spain’s success.

Notably, the 2x NBA champion helped his nation win the 2006 FIBA World Cup. This was the same tournament in which Team USA bowed out in a shocking defeat to Greece in the Semi-Finals.

On the back of their World Cup win, the Spaniards were hopeful to clinch the 2008 Olympics Gold as well. However, the Redeem Team had other ideas. Team USA won the Gold against Spain with a scoreline of 118-107.

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