The U.S. used a 24-7 run, initiated by Kevin Durant who scored 18 points in the second quarter, to take a comfortable lead on 43-22.
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Then they actually started the 2016 gold medal game, and all worry was washed aside quickly.
Team USA defeated Serbia 96-66 on Sunday in the gold medal game, and Durant poured in a team-high 30 points. Nemanja Nedovic paced Serbia with 14 points.
Since Colangelo took over Team USA in 2005, the Americans have won seven FIBA titles, including gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The United States, missing such greats as LeBron James and Steph Curry, reserved its best for last, having come under criticism for previous lackluster displays.
“For me, this (gold) ranks just like the others”, Krzyzewski told reporters.
That raised doubts about the ability of the newly assembled team to play as a unit and handle the perpetual motion of worldwide play.
Players on the United States bench celebrate a three point basket. Anthony cried after the game.
“I’m all for raising the bar for global basketball”, Colangelo said. And LeBron James, who’ll be 35 years old in 2020, specifically left the door open to join Popovich’s team, saying “It would be pretty awesome to be able to actually play for the greatest National Basketball Association coach of all time”. “That’s nearly a corporate thing, and that’s not who I am”. Kyle Lowry (USA) of the USA celebrates. After receiving his third gold medal following the game, Carmelo Anthony became the most decorated male in Olympic basketball history. Deandre Jordan (USA) of the USA and Demarcus Cousins (USA) of the USA celebrate.
Women’s basketball won gold as well when it beat Spain 101-72 on Saturday, bringing basketball’s medal count to two.
The United States won the most medals in swimming, an event in which this country has a few superstars.
But the United States would not be caught off guard again, their class evident from the start.
He had also scored 30 in the 2012 gold-medal game, after he poured in a USA -record 38 in one game en route to the MVP of the 2010 world basketball championship. His first act was to talk to Coach K about the job, mostly because guys want to play for him – a great game coach.
The Americans had difficulty breaking down a determined Serb defense in the opening quarter but still ground out a 19-15 lead. The U.S. had struggled in. “If anything, I think that was the best thing for us”. “We fought and gave it everything, playing for our people”.
“I think it was a very emotional time”.
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“This is a golden silver medal”.
