But by the time Team USA’s 96-66 win against Serbia was complete on Sunday and the mission for the third consecutive gold medal was complete, only one thing mattered more than all the comparisons that always inevitably come: this team kept the Team USA reputation intact.
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“You have the best guy in the world to coach the team now”.
Anthony also picked up his third gold to go with a bronze, becoming the most decorated male in Olympic basketball history.
Serbia led 14-11 with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter when the Americans, who opened the game shooting only 5-of-17 from the floor, began what would become a 32-8 run to break open the contest. He had already become the leading scorer earlier in the tournament, capping an Olympic career that began with disappointment as a member of the US team that finished third in 2004.
The Americans haven’t lost since, winning 25 straight in the Olympics.
Krzyzewski said it didn’t matter how the Americans won, that there would be no questions as long as they did. George has stated that his 2014 leg injury suffered in a Team USA exhibition was well behind him, but it had to be an incredible feeling to stand on the podium to accept the gold medal. He is already the Americans’ No. 2 career scorer in the Olympics in just two appearances. The heart of an global power in the former Yugoslavia, the Serbs hadn’t qualified for the Olympics since gaining their independence in 2006.
Durant had 24 points by the half and the USA had a 23-point lead, 52-29.
“They played better than us”, said Serbian centre Vladimir Simac.
Australia’s Patty Mills scored 20 of his team-leading 30 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to give his country what would have been its first Olympic medal in men’s basketball.
They were blown away though in the second quarter as the U.S. outscored them 33-14 to lead 52-29 at half-time. He can retire from the national team knowing that his dedication to USA Basketball can never be questioned.
Serbia didn’t play almost as well in the Gold Medal Game as they did nine days ago when they were a three pointer away from forcing overtime in the preliminaries.
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Yet on Sunday, the Americans did.
