A first-place finish in Rio was just what the doctor ordered for two-time Olympic gold medalist and former Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant. I’m glad I did what I did, I stepped up to the challenge.
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With the win, United States forward Carmelo Anthony became the first man with three Olympic basketball gold medals.
The only blemish on “Coach K’s” otherwise flawless resume is a semi-final loss to Greece at the 2006 world championships.
Krzyzewski added that he is confident in the future of the national team.
“To me, there were more good teams in this Olympics than there were in ’08 and ’12”, Krzyzewski said.
The United States looked sluggish in the first quarter and seemed plagued by the same issues that dogged the gold medalfavorites earlier in the tournament. Anthony stated after the game these Olympic games would be his last.
A far cry from the 91 points that Serbia scored against the U.S.in group play, in the gold medal final, the club could only muster 43 points after three quarters, leading to the inevitable 96×66 win.
Kevin Durant saved his best for last.
“I think I’ve given enough to Team USA basketball”. “I’m excited for me but also for the other guys who never experienced anything like this”, he told NBC.
The U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team ended up right where expected. Kyle Lowry (USA) of the USA celebrates.
Although an ideal scenario would include as numerous same players four years from now, there are a wide array of factors that could make the 2020 team look much different than the Rio gold medal-winners. Just getting the job done, and going back home for the league they care more about.
Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Demarcus Cousins celebrate their new gold.
Anthony established the mark for most career rebounds by a US player in the final game. I believe that. We got a lot of work to do.
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The US beat Serbia on the board by 54-33 and led as many as 41 points. Durant led the US with six. We’ve taught their coaches, players – look at the number of (international) players in the National Basketball Association, look at the number of worldwide players in college today, in the states. “We fought and gave it everything, playing for our people”.
