(I love it when bad things happen to the Gasol brothers.)

Kevin Durant blocked two last-ditch Rudy Fernandez three pointers as time expired and Team USA held on for a thrilling, 86-85 victory against Spain.

I would discuss how Rajon Rondo played but, well, he didn’t exactly play. Rondo pulled the DNP, joining Danny Granger and the injured Kevin Love as the only USA players not to play a single second.

Why? Who knows. Maybe he’s a little banged-up. Maybe Coach K was disgusted by Rondo’s bad performance the other day. Maybe Coach K just wanted to give the bubble guys more of a chance to play. Maybe Rondo’s even on the bubble himself.

I doubt Rondo was being saved as a secret weapon for the next time USA runs into Spain. If he was, why were he and Granger the only healthy players not to get in? That just doesn’t make sense to me.

P.S. – Rudy Fernandez looked pretty bad. Too much complaining this summer and not enough practicing, it looks like.

P.P.S. – Ricky Rubio is the real deal. I was so excited by a few plays he made that my 12-year old brother looked at me and said, “I think you’re homo for Rubio or something.” I don’t think I’m actually homo for Rubio, but I definitely have a man crush on his basketball game.

(This music could get me fired up for anything. Anything.)

Rajon Rondo vs. Ricky Rubio. Isn’t that alone enough for you to watch today’s game between USA and Spain?

The game will be televised at 3:00 p.m. on NBA TV and ESPN3.com. It will also be shown on tape delay at 10:00 p.m. on ESPN2.

Rondo will be looking to recover from yesterday’s performance, one that can only be described by a single word: Bad. Actually, you could probably even be harsher than “bad” if you wanted to be. Whenever a player has more turnovers than points and assists combined, you can pretty much be as harsh as you please. After yesterday, I’m wondering whether Rondo will remain Team USA’s starting point guard.

But don’t expect another poor showing from Rondo today. I suspect he’ll be motivated to rebound from yesterday. Plus, I think getting pumped up will be a little easier against Ricky Rubio and Spain than it was against Mantas Kalnietis and Lithuania. Just a guess.