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The London Olympics were a benchmark for women, especially U.S. women. But what does that mean beyond the Games? For two team sports, the hope and expectation is their accomplishments in London will be a springboard to something more.

Winning a fifth consecutive gold medal wasn't easy for Candace Parker and the U.S. women's basketball team. It just looked that way.

She jaws at her teammates and pushes the opponent. But the U.S. women's basketball team has come to depend on Diana Taurasi's play and emotional energy.

Never mind the debate between Kobe and Barkley. The U.S. women are the real Dream Team of the London Games, dispatching opponents by an average of 37.6 points a game.