Beijing: Redemption is at hand for the United States men's basketball team, whose millionaire superstars can reclaim the Olympic throne by beating world champion Spain in Sunday's final.
Just four years ago, a US team of National Basketball Association stars stung by late defections from top talent lost three games, one more than in all prior Olympics combined, and settled for a humiliating bronze medal.
"That experience is going to make this experience that much better," said US forward Carmelo Anthony, who like Olympic teammates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James was relegated to a reserve role in 2004.
The Americans settled for bronze at the 2006 World Championships after a humbling semi-final loss to Greece, but avenged that loss here and avenged a 2004 Olympic semi-final loss to Argentina with a semi-final romp Friday.
"Being a part of the game on Sunday is the biggest thing for me ever," NBA scoring champion James said.
"When I got to the NBA Finals I thought that was big, but winning an NBA championship would never compare to winning a gold medal for my country."
The Americans rolled through preliminary round and playoff games without a major threat to book a gold medal rematch with Spain, which they routed 119-82 a week ago in the preliminary round.
"When we played the USA last time we did a terrible job," Spanish coach Aito Garcia said. "I'm sure the same thing won't happen again."
So are the Americans.
"It doesn't matter. That was pool play," Wade said. "They could have played better. It's going to be a tough game. They're not in the championship game for no reason. They are improving."
"This will be the most important game of my life. We know it's going to be a tough game but we're prepared. We have a job to finish."
Spectacular as the US NBA stars have been, their best might be yet to come.
"I feel sorry for them," US guard Deron Williams said. "If you think we played hard the last seven games, just wait until Sunday. We've been waiting four years for this. We have to make the most of it."
Williams sees only one team that can defeat the US squad - "Us if we don't come out and play. But I don't see that happening."
US players have a sense that they have not seen Spain's best but James warned, "We didn't show them everything either. We have a lot more. We're going to take care of business."
The Spaniards lost to the host Americans in the 1984 Olympic final and the US team ousted an unbeaten Spanish side in the 2004 Olympic quarter-finals, but do not expect Spain to go quietly.
"We know we have very few chances but we have chances," 17-year-old Spanish guard Ricky Rubio said. "We're not satisfied with the silver medal. We will look forward to the gold."
Last week's rout added fuel to the fire inspiring Spain as well, said US playmaker Chris Bosh.
"Nobody likes to be embarrassed," Bosh said. "Spain is going to come out with an edge. They are going to play hard. They don't want to get beat again. They are going to come in with a chip on their shoulder. They have something to prove."
Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol will be on opposite sides, with Bryant having famously said his summer plans included denying the Spanish center a gold medal. Now he gets his chance to back up his words.
"It should be a fun game," Bryant said. "They will make adjustments. We'll probably see a lot of zone (defence). We just have to make sure we're ready."
Bryant has dreamed of Olympic gold since he was 13 years old and watching the 1992 US Olympic gold medal "Dream Team".
"It became something that was extremely important," Bryant said. "It would mean everything."
Lithuania will meet 2004 Olympic champion Argentina in Sunday's bronze-medal game.
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