John Cox, a 35-year-old guard who led Venezuela with 19 points, is the cousin of Kobe Bryant, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers guard who retired in April after a 20-year career as a five-time National Basketball Association champion. Though Australia will be the toughest opposition yet, United States of America is so deep that even if Anthony, George and Butler have quiet games, Irving, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson will be waiting.
Advertisement
While the sport has grown immensely over the years since its inception over a hundred years ago, the game is still decidedly American. Foul trouble and turnovers plagued the U.S. up until the middle of the second quarter.
“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.
“I’ve been in teams in the past where guys have asked for shoes before games”, Andrew Bogut, the leader of the Aussie squad says.
Conor Dwyer, a part of the 4x200m freestyle relay team that won gold and himself an individual bronze medalist at these Games, grew up outside of Chicago playing ball with Jordan’s kids. Kevin Durant is leading the Americans in scoring with 20.5 points per game while Carmelo Anthony recently passed Michael Jordan on the USA Olympic scoring list in the game against Venezuela. Having allowed an average of 65.5 points to China and Venezuela, the USA team is positioned to challenge the mark of 71.4 points of the 1996 team that included Karl Malone and John Stockton.
The United States finally gained some momentum when Carmelo Anthony hit a three pointer to put Team USA up by 9.
The Americans were tied after one quarter, but turned up their defensive intensity, outscored Venezuela 30-8 in the second period and improved to 82-1 under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
DeMarcus Cousins fouls out against Venezuela, with his last foul getting drawn by burly Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique. The Americans opened up pool play with an easy 119-62 win over China and followed that up with a 113-69 shellacking of Venezuela. “When we get both going at the same time obviously we’re a much better basketball team”. With Venezuela struggling to score, Team USA chipped away on offense and built on their lead. Kobe Bryant’s kinsman John Cox, had a personal run of five points late in the quarter, to cut down Team USA’s lead to 21 points, 68-47.
It took a while for Team USA to get rolling.
Rafaela Silva earned host Brazil’s initial gold medal of the Rio Games and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first American to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab. “We missed some shots early, played their game, but once we made those adjustments we were ok”.
Advertisement
Former NBA player Yi Jianlian had a team-high 19 points and six rebounds. Along with George, five other players scored in double figures. San Antonio Spurs long-time championship point guard Tony Parker, led the way for France with 14 points and 8 assists. The 300lb Echenique, would finish the quarter with 14 points, and 6 rebounds.
