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Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about FacebookEmailTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterest Paul George, patriotism at heart of Team USA's FIBA World Cup championship MVP Kyrie Irving said Team USA dedicated this championship to their fallen teammate. Loading… Post to Facebook ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ {# IFRAME: http://api.recaptcha.net/noscript?k=6Lf7fuESAAAAAJ3_KMIDbkQySsEE0vMkLXU kq4eY #} CancelSend Sent! A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 1 Join the Nation's Conversation To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Paul George, patriotism at heart of Team USA's FIBA World Cup championship [Amick_Sam.png] Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports 7:42 p.m. EDT September 14, 2014 9-14-harden-kyrie Team USA stars James Harden and Kyrie Irving celebrate the FIBA World Cup championship Sunday in Madrid.(Photo: Sergio Perez, Reuters) 29 CONNECT 70 TWEETLINKEDIN 1 COMMENTEMAILMORE MADRID — As Kyrie Irving waited to walk outside the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad doors late Sunday night, hordes of screaming fans and a rumbling bus both demanding his presence, he was well aware of what lie ahead. LeBron James, for one, and all the welcome expectations that will come with being such a big part of the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers team in the next NBA season. But the 22-year-old who had deemed this his most meaningful moment had only two things on his mind: the FIBA World Cup gold medal that Team USA won in such dominating fashion against Serbia (129-92) and his gone-but-not-forgotten friend, the Indiana Pacers' Paul George. Six weeks before, Irving had sat with his father's arm around his shoulders courtside at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center, tears in his eyes, after George broke his leg in gruesome fashion. From the lowest of lows to this high that included his tournament MVP honors, Irving took it all in. "(George) has a lot to do with (the meaning of the gold)," Irving, who scored 26 points (7-for-7 from three-point range), told USA TODAY Sports. "This whole trip was mainly for Paul. Every single day, not taking anything for granted. It's a devastating thing that happened to one of my good friends. It's crazy, but for us to bring a gold medal back — and knowing he's going to get one — is exciting." [1408741954009-USATSI-8034564.jpg] USA TODAY Team USA trounces Serbia in FIBA World Cup championship No one wanted their story to go this way, but the end result was exactly the kind of thing that makes Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski smile. He's constantly preaching about togetherness, about looking each other in the eye and forming the real brotherhood that would make the experience memorable even if they happened to lose. Rest assured, Krzyzewski had already called George to tell him his gold medal was on the way, even before taking part in the postgame news conference. The seemingly-endless absences were a part of this Team USA tournament, to be sure, with Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and the rest deciding not to take part. But that Aug. 1 night with George brought this group together in ways that helped them until the end. "It took us to another level relationship-wise," said Irving, who played for Krzyzewski at Duke for a year. "Nobody's invincible, but one thing we can do is come together as a team and we did a great job of that. Every single day, for however many coach said it was, 50 days or something like that. I've gotten to know all these guys and this is something I'm going to remember the rest of my life." [afp_533418808_67255180.jpg?fit=440%2C330] FOR THE WIN Team USA did the 'Shmoney' dance on the podium at FIBA World Cup Jerry Colangelo won't forget this anytime soon, either. Despite so many obstacles and unexpected setbacks, the program he came on board to rehabilitate in 2006 has now won gold medals in four consecutive international tournaments, the latest coming in overwhelmingly one-sided fashion (average margin of victory was 33 points). The reward, technically speaking, is an automatic qualification into the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics that allows Team USA to avoid playing the FIBA Americas tournament next summer. "It's satisfying," Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports. "Everything passes by in your mind, over the last decade, the nine years. To win the back-to-back-to-back championships is a testament to where we are with USA Basketball in the country. For that, I couldn't be more proud. "No one knew exactly what we were headed for, and then the Paul George incident and then ... Durant pulling out and Kevin (Love) because of a contract, etc. We didn't know what to expect. It's been great." [455454396.jpg] HOOPSHYPE World Cup final: The best of Team USA vs. Serbia in pictures The foundation of this team's on-court performance may be defense, and Krzyzewski is always quick to remind anyone who forgets as much. But in terms of the entire program, Colangelo and Krzyzewski have been successful in ensuring that the same sort of patriotism that often fuels their global competitors is a major part of everything they do. It's a subplot to this gold that simply can't be forgotten. As the team's players and coaches celebrated in a behind-the-scenes hallway afterward, players posing for pictures with one another and sharing hugs and handshakes all around, one staff member who preferred to remain nameless told the story of his first interaction with Krzyzewski as proof. The two men had never met before, and the longtime Duke legend's first words to the new team member he had hired were, "Thank you." Krzyzewski, the West Point product who took his team to his old stomping grounds last month to motivate them in the most meaningful of ways, views all of their work as a service to their country and makes that clear to them all at every turn. As Irving had discussed at length in the news conference, all of it adds to the brotherhood that felt so real afterward. The pride they all shared could be seen in the minutes following the game, as well. As DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Kenneth Faried and all the rest waited to accept their medals, they hollered at the few Americans in the stands so as to enjoy it all with their countrymen and women. It wasn't how they'd planned it, but they're coming home with the gold. Again. GALLERY: Team USA's triumphant roster FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedIn Team USA's final 12-man roster for 2014 FIBA World Cup Fullscreen [facebook-loading.gif] Post to Facebook Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Team USA director Jerry Colangeo (with microphone) and coach Mike Krzyzewski picked 12 players from a much larger pool to play in the FIBA World Cup in Spain. Click through for their choices. Team USA director Jerry Colangeo (with microphone) and coach Mike Krzyzewski picked 12 players from a much larger pool to play in the FIBA World Cup in Spain. Click through for their choices. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen C DeMarcus Cousins: The Kings star is the biggest player on the roster and one of the best post scorers in the NBA. C DeMarcus Cousins: The Kings star is the biggest player on the roster and one of the best post scorers in the NBA. Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen PG/SG Stephen Curry: The Warriors All-Star is the best shooter in the NBA and should stretch opposing defenses whether at point, where he plays for Golden State, or off the ball. PG/SG Stephen Curry: The Warriors All-Star is the best shooter in the NBA and should stretch opposing defenses whether at point, where he plays for Golden State, or off the ball. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen C Anthony Davis: The Pelicans All-Star is the only Team USA returnee from the 2012 London Olympics despite being 21 years old. C Anthony Davis: The Pelicans All-Star is the only Team USA returnee from the 2012 London Olympics despite being 21 years old. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen SG/SF DeMar DeRozan: The Raptors All-Star may be the best athlete on this roster and is coming off a breakout NBA season. SG/SF DeMar DeRozan: The Raptors All-Star may be the best athlete on this roster and is coming off a breakout NBA season. Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen C Andre Drummond: The Pistons big man is one of the NBA's best rebounders at 21 years old. C Andre Drummond: The Pistons big man is one of the NBA's best rebounders at 21 years old. Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen PF Kenneth Faried: The Nuggets rebounder is the closest thing Team USA has right now to a traditional European power forward, though he's more athletic. PF Kenneth Faried: The Nuggets rebounder is the closest thing Team USA has right now to a traditional European power forward, though he's more athletic. Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen SF Rudy Gay: The Kings scorer rejoined Team USA after Paul George and Kevin Durant withdrew but played in the 2010 world championships. SF Rudy Gay: The Kings scorer rejoined Team USA after Paul George and Kevin Durant withdrew but played in the 2010 world championships. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen SG/SF James Harden: The Rockets All-Star may be the most established star on the roster and recently called himself the best player in the world. SG/SF James Harden: The Rockets All-Star may be the most established star on the roster and recently called himself the best player in the world. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen PG Kyrie Irving: The Cavaliers All-STar is an outstanding ballhandler and perhaps the best playmaker on the roster. PG Kyrie Irving: The Cavaliers All-STar is an outstanding ballhandler and perhaps the best playmaker on the roster. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen C Mason Plumlee: The Nets second-year player spent four years under USA coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. C Mason Plumlee: The Nets second-year player spent four years under USA coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen PG Derrick Rose: The Bulls' 2010-11 NBA MVP is coming off missing most of the past two seasons with knee injuries. PG Derrick Rose: The Bulls' 2010-11 NBA MVP is coming off missing most of the past two seasons with knee injuries. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen SG Klay Thompson: The Warriors "Splash Brother" is a strong defender to go along with his shooting and has enough size to play small forward. SG Klay Thompson: The Warriors "Splash Brother" is a strong defender to go along with his shooting and has enough size to play small forward. Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports Fullscreen Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: Replay * Team USA director Jerry Colangeo (with microphone) and coach Mike Krzyzewski picked 12 players from a much larger pool to play in the FIBA World Cup in Spain. Click through for their choices. * C DeMarcus Cousins: The Kings star is the biggest player on the roster and one of the best post scorers in the NBA. * PG/SG Stephen Curry: The Warriors All-Star is the best shooter in the NBA and should stretch opposing defenses whether at point, where he plays for Golden State, or off the ball. * C Anthony Davis: The Pelicans All-Star is the only Team USA returnee from the 2012 London Olympics despite being 21 years old. * SG/SF DeMar DeRozan: The Raptors All-Star may be the best athlete on this roster and is coming off a breakout NBA season. * C Andre Drummond: The Pistons big man is one of the NBA's best rebounders at 21 years old. * PF Kenneth Faried: The Nuggets rebounder is the closest thing Team USA has right now to a traditional European power forward, though he's more athletic. * SF Rudy Gay: The Kings scorer rejoined Team USA after Paul George and Kevin Durant withdrew but played in the 2010 world championships. * SG/SF James Harden: The Rockets All-Star may be the most established star on the roster and recently called himself the best player in the world. * PG Kyrie Irving: The Cavaliers All-STar is an outstanding ballhandler and perhaps the best playmaker on the roster. * C Mason Plumlee: The Nets second-year player spent four years under USA coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. * PG Derrick Rose: The Bulls' 2010-11 NBA MVP is coming off missing most of the past two seasons with knee injuries. * SG Klay Thompson: The Warriors "Splash Brother" is a strong defender to go along with his shooting and has enough size to play small forward. Autoplay Show Thumbnails Show Captions Last SlideNext Slide 29 CONNECT 70 TWEETLINKEDIN 1 COMMENTEMAILMORE Related Video [29906170001_4021950950001_video-still-for-video-4021892067001.jpg?pubI d=29906170001] NBA All-Star snubs: Two glaring omissions