That certainly was not the case Friday, when a 94-91 win over Serbia allowed the USA Men’s Basketball Team to clinch the No. 1 spot in Group A and advance to face France on Sunday, but did nothing to suggest it is ready for a Rio Olympics takeover.
Advertisement
Friday, the Americans got off to a near-perfect start only to find themselves in a one-possession game in the final minute, couldn’t get a bucket to put away Serbia and even botched the final defensive play – not only failing to foul to prevent a 3-point shot as planned but giving up a wide-open look in the process. I watched Carmelo Anthony take shot after shot after shot. Yi Jianlian led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds while Guo Ailun had 11 points and five assists. But the Americans were outscored for the remainder of the game, 86-71, thanks to the only National Basketball Association player on Serbia’s roster, Nikola Jokic, who dropped 25 points off the bench on 11-of-15 shooting.
Tony Parker and France won’t be intimidated Sunday when they play the United States in the final game of group competition.
“Meanwhile, two players from the Golden State Warriors, who feature a more ball-movement oriented offense “ Draymond Green and Klay Thompson “ combined for just three points. We know that coming in, but at the same time, we can’t crumble the way we’ve done the past two games. Can team U.S. get it together and escape with Olympic gold or is an upset in the works? “I think we can”, Krzyzewski said.
Three straight first-quarter dunks, including two by U.S. center DeAndre Jordan, made it 23-5 with 3:30 to go in the half and it appeared to signal that National Basketball Association showtime had started.
What’s at stake: there’s plenty at stake for the US Team heading into a highly-physical battle Serbia, the same team they defeated to take the FIBA World Cup in Spain two years ago. “As good as we are, if we keep playing like this”, says George, “these games are going to keep getting tougher”.
Coming through Group B play with a record of 3-2, Japan do not look like a major threat to a US team that is firing on all cylinders. After France, the quarterfinals begin, and as the USA women’s soccer team showed, even the most dominant team in the history of the sport can end up going home empty-handed. The teams played an exhibition game before the Olympics started and Canada lost by 40, never recovering from a slow start.
The Americans had better learn or they’ll be going home with a less shiny medal.
According to a report from The Salt Lake Tribune, All-Star Paul George of Team USA says that if his team continues this style of lax play, then all of their upcoming Olympic games would not come as easy as they would want. “Every time we step on the floor, guys are going to give us their best effort”.
Advertisement
Serbia must improve their physiciality in the paint and their presence on the boards if they hope to be any sort of chance in this match.
