On the morning of August 18 in the final day of the Olympic basketball preliminary round, Team USA destroyed Germany 106-57. Here's what USA center Dwight Howard said after the game:

Question: Talk about the game.

Dwight Howard: I think tonight’s game was very exciting for me. I talked to Coach K earlier today before the game and he really told me to get myself going and get myself back into how I know how to play basketball. I had a lot of fun tonight … got a chance to meet Michael Phelps and got the swimming goggles right here (pointed to goggles on his head) … they kind of helped me out too.

Question: How are you approaching the medal round?

Dwight Howard: I think every time we play from here on out, like Coach says, it’s going to like a Game 7 in the playoffs. We really got to stay focused, stay humble. You know we came here on a mission and that was to win a gold medal. So every game is very important.

Question: What did you learn about Australia in the exhibition game?

Dwight Howard: They execute very well. They play extremely hard. They’re a big physical team. We really got to not give them a chance to run their sets. We need to play our game and do what we’ve been doing the whole tournament, which is winning, playing great defense and making teams rush.

Question: Was Michael Phelps here tonight?

Dwight Howard: Yes, he was actually in the locker room before I came out. I told him I was going to do the 100 meter medley next year.

Question: Do you think the games have been too easy for you so far?

Dwight Howard: No. Each game we’ve played is tough. Each game we play presents us with a new challenge. The main thing is staying motivated and knowing we want to accomplish one goal which is to win a gold medal. So, each game we learn something new and we try to get better each night.

Question: They went to you right from the beginning. Is that what you and Coach talked about?

Dwight Howard: I just have to get myself going. Running the floor, trying to get deep post position in the paint so I can go right into a shot. Just being a big presence for my team. I think the first three games, I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, but I think I just got to get myself going every night. Coach K talked to me before the game about doing that.