It’s time for the stars of the National Basketball Association to be like the Wu-Tang Clan and form like Voltron, forgetting their team rivalries to unite under the uniform of Team USA.
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The arena issued an apology during the game and promised full refunds to anyone who did not get in. But it was a start.
So far, it’s mission accomplished for the newest Warriors star. Anthony filled the box score with eight rebounds and five assists, but shot 2-of-9 from the field en route to five points.
There was more painful hilarity in the game than just Jordan’s late free-throw gaffe.
After the game, George said he had to work through a couple of emotions, but his teammates helped him get through it. Overall, George was mentally ready to play and did not think about getting hurt. They played really hard and I thought defensively well. “We’re all teammates right now. Now obviously, you know (Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant) have played against some of the other guys, but not at a level where you know everything that they do”, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said after Friday’s game. Headlined by MVP candidates Tina Charles and Maya Moore, future Hall of Famers Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and Tamika Catchings, and rookie sensation Breanna Stewart, Team USA is seeking a sixth-straight Gold Medal, and eighth since 1984.
He followed up his 23-point performance against Argentina with a game-high 19 points Sunday, 12 of which came from beyond the arc. “We took the shot without movement”.
The Clippers have a fierce rivalry with the Warriors, but it seems increasingly likely Durant will be a magnet for boos throughout the league after spurning Oklahoma City to chase a championship with Stephen Curry in Oakland. With DeMarcus Cousins pulling down 15 rebounds in just 16 minutes, the USA dominated inside, outrebounding Argentina 53-30. “A lot of the times we’re thinking about the opponent”, Jordan said.
Argentina faced its biggest hurdle against United States’ size, which could become a common theme for teams down the road. “All of them. They can all shoot, and so in your coverages and how you react, they have good movement, which gives them windows of opportunity”, Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Friday’s win.
The goal for the exhibition schedule is “finding which group fits best together with the mix that we have”, Auriemma said. We got to play everybody double-figure minutes, a lot of different combinations.
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Paul George added 18 points off the bench, playing his first game for the National Team since suffering a horrific leg injury in an August showcase two years ago.
