Four other players finished in double figures, including Kevin Durant, who scored 16 points and carried U.S. offensively in the first quarter. Maybe this was a reminder that no team can be taken lightly and there is little margin for error once the Olympic flame is ignited. With Matthew Dellavedova, Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut, Australia does have some talent – even if it’s not enough to match up with the star-studded cast of Team USA – and they have the ability to put the US into a serious hole. Like the Americans, the Aussies are also 2-0 to start their tournament and feature notable National Basketball Association players like Matthew Dellavedova, Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills.
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“I don’t think they’ve gone back to their boat or apartment or wherever they’re staying thinking they can’t beat us”, the coach said.
Venezuela, with no NBA players, was level with the US NBA lineup at 18-18 after the first quarter. Anthony followed Irving up the floor, accepted a feed on the wing and knocked down a 3-pointer that lifted some of the pressure – and fog – off Team USA.
“I never even knew that”, Anthony said.
DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and Paul George 15 for the USA, which is a heavy favorite to win a third straight gold and won’t change any opinions after this performance. Anthony now has 262 points and the four-time Olympian trails only LeBron James (273) and David Robinson (270).
“Anytime you can break a record or make history or pass somebody like Michael Jordan …”
But the 6-foot-7 forward grabbed four rebounds to go with two points, one assist and one steal as the United States crushed Venezuela, 113-69, in a Pool A game in Rio de Janeiro.
Although this may not be the best made-in-America team as James, Stephen Curry and others chose to skip the Rio Games, the USA squad that came to Brazil appears to be in a class by itself.
A strong third quarter kept Venezuela’s deficit at 24 heading into the final period, but after Team USA scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter, it was clear the game was over.
Although this may not be the best made-in-America team as James, Stephen Curry and others chose to skip the first games held in South America for a variety of reasons, the US squad that came to Brazil appears to be in a class by itself.
Venezuela were back in the Olympics for the first time since 1992 and they were given no chance of pulling off an historic upset as they headed into Monday’s game.
It was a different story in the second, when the Americans reeled off 13 straight points in one stretch to take control. Then Anthony gave them a lot.
Venezuela came out with a solid game plan, slowing the ball down and getting to the free-throw line consistently in the first quarter, and came away with an 18-18 tie after 10 minutes.
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Carmelo Anthony joined Durant as the only two Olympic veterans, coming off the 2012 London games, to spearhead the 2016 Rio squad.
