“I love our depth, which is another indication of the depth of talent our national team program is blessed with”. So, not only is the USA eager to win its third straight gold medal, but this is a team full of young guys who have a shot to add to their resumes for the first time.
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So the Americans will look to Anthony, who becomes the first USA men’s basketball player to appear in four Olympics, and Durant, who set a US record by averaging 19.5 points in London.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is the Team USA coach and Olympic basketball competition will be held August 6-21. “Since 2006 and including the last two Olympics, our players have represented themselves, the game and our country in an exemplary manner”.
The 2008 team was similarly loaded with stars, including James, Bryant, Paul, Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh among others. “We have lightning-quick guards who can score and distribute the basketball”. “We don’t have as numerous big-name guys that we’ve had before, but I think so far this is a great group of guys and they’re hungry”. In addition, Durant set the US record for most three-pointers made in an Olympic tournament with 34 (previous mark was 17, shared by Kobe Bryant in 2008 and Reggie Miller in 1996). He was the only player in the National Basketball Association to rank in the top five in both scoring (fourth) and rebounding (fifth).
The USA will play in Group A with Venezuela, China, Australia and two of the teams that win FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Krzyzewski will be assisted by Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau and former Oklahoma City assistant Monty Williams.
Durant, the most valuable player at the 2010 world championship, was the leading USA scorer at the 2012 Olympic tournament in London, averaging an Olympic record 19.5 points per game.
The U.S. men’s basketball team has collected 14 Olympic gold, one silver, and two bronze medals so far.
Among the 12 is former Marquette standout Jimmy Butler, who plays with the Chicago Bulls.
Team USA hasn’t lost a basketball game since the 2004 Olympics, but many believe that this year’s team could be in danger of a letdown.
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Durant is the fourth player in Texas Basketball history to compete in the Olympics.
