Kevin Durant reacts after a three-point shot against China in the men’s preliminary round Group A match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
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Krzyzewski is looking to become the first head coach to lead the U.S.to three Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball.
Durant picked up right where he left off in the 2012 Olympics with 25 points, and the US men’s basketball team routed China 119-62 on Saturday night in its opening game.
Durant scored 30 points four years ago in the gold-medal game, when the Americans held off Spain for the championship.
“The Olympics are different, they’re big, for 10 of the guys it is their first Olympics, it’s different, it’s new”.
DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and Paul George 15 for the US, which is a heavy favorite to win a third straight gold and won’t change any opinions with Saturday’s performance.
Outside of Olympic competition, the U.S.is on a 68-game unbeaten run (45 straight wins in FIBA and FIBA Americas competitions, and 23 consecutive wins in exhibition games) that goes back to 2006. The U.S. next plays Monday against Venezuela.
Anthony, who had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal and one block, tied LeBron James and David Robinson for most Olympic games played for the United States with 24. But coach Mike Krzyzewski said this squad has already bonded as much as any of the three USA teams he has led in the Olympics. The AP reported Anthony tied LeBron James, who made a decision to skip these Games, and David Robinson by playing in his 24th game in the Olympics. He was the lone bright spot for China on offense, as no other player cracked double digits.
Andrew Bogut scored 18 as Australia upset France 87-66 in the opening men’s basketball game Saturday at the Rio Games.
Left knee bone bruises crucially knocked Bogut out in game five of the NBA Finals as his former team Golden State sought to cap a record 73 regular season wins with a repeat title.
Bogut said after the injury, his plans were still to play in the Olympics, there was just the matter of how the knee felt. There was extra motivation after missing the 2012 London Games with an ankle injury. The 31-year old may not get another chance to play on this stage.
He caught six alley-oops despite playing a France team with Utah Jazz 7-foot-1 centre and defensive specialist Rudy Gobert.
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“I thought China played really hard, they have a lot of young players and they are getting better and we were good”, said USA coach Mike Krzyzewski. The talent disparity between the two teams was stark and the outcome of the game was never in doubt. This may be their best team in worldwide play with five National Basketball Association players and France was considered by many to be the second-best team in the tournament. Seven players on this roster had never played an official global game until Saturday.
