OLYM - James caps terrific 2012

LONDON (Olympics) - LeBron James is on quite a run this year.

After capturing his first NBA title with the Miami Heat and scooping MVP honors in the regular season and the Finals, now, after a dramatic final day at the London Games, he’s a gold-medal winner for the second time in his career with the United States.

In three Olympics, James has titles from Beijing and now Britain.

In Athens eight years ago, James and another member of this year’s team, Carmelo Anthony, were in the American side that beat Lithuania in the Bronze Medal Game.

The USA had to pull out all stops to win in China against Spain, 118-107, and they did again this time with the final score, 107-100.

“In 2008 we played against those guys,” James said.

“A great team, much respect to them.”

Will James, everyone wants to know, follow the example of Kobe Bryant and retire from the national team after London or will he travel with the Americans to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics.

"It has been a great run,” James said.

“I don't know if I'm going to be part of the 2016 team.

“KB (Kobe Bryant) has already said he is done.

“We've had a great ride. There's been ups and downs but we had more ups than downs and I'm happy that we are on the same floor with such a great legendary coach.”

That coach, the man that James gave a big bear hug as he left the floor of the gold-medal game, is Mike Krzyzewski.

He is the legendary college coach at Duke University, who coached James at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, 2008 in Beijing and again this summer.

The United States were convincing winners against all of their opponents in London, except Spain.

With Kevin Durant pouring in 30 points and James contributing 19 along with nine rebounds, the Americans were able to withstand a Spanish side that led by as many as five points after getting 24 points Pau Gasol, 21 from Juan Carlos Navarro and 17 from Marc Gasol and 14 from Rudy Fernandez.

There were many more players on both sides that had very important spells in title game.

"We were tested against Argentina twice in the first half,” James said.

“We needed a little bit of adversity.

“We were tested in our exhibition game against Brazil in Washington DC and they tested us as well. It was good for us.

"It's been a great run for me. I could have never scripted this way.

“I had many dreams about winning an NBA championship and then following it up with a gold medal.

“Being a part of so many great players and so many great teams, I am fortunate to be in this position and to be healthy. I'm happy that I'm able to do this for my country.”

The United States were favorites in London, though not everyone believed they would win.

They did not have a big team like in years past, with Tyson Chandler the only true center.

"A lot of people doubted us,” James said.

“They said we were too small, that we couldn't compete with the size of a lot of teams.

“(But) Like Chris (Paul) said, it's not about size, it's the heart that comes through.

“I'm happy we got a bunch of big hearts in our team."

FIBA