RIO DE JANEIRO – They weren’t the Dream Team, or even the Redeem Team – not even close. A booking gone bad. This is what it’s about, representing our country on the biggest stage that you can be on.
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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.
Saving their best for last in a tournament that had been tough, the Americans convincingly won their third straight gold medal, beating Serbia 96-66 on Sunday.
There would be no storms, or lasting fears of silver, on this afternoon. Durant helped the Americans jump out to a huge lead by halftime.
It was the final game for Mike Krzyzewski, who took the Americans back to the top and leaves with them thereafter becoming the first coach to win three Olympic gold medals. There were a few hiccups – his terrible shooting game against Australia, his passive game against Serbia – in group play, but he more than made up for it in the knockout round.
Kevin Durant and Team USA walked into Carioca Arena on Sunday at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a lot to ponder. With Team USA, he had a few high-scoring games, but he mainly played the role Andre Iguodala did at the 2012 FIBA World Championships and 2012 Olympics. “Not because we wanted to blow every team out”. “We fought and gave it everything, playing for our people”.
Usain Bolt finished off his triple-triple – three Olympics, three sprint golds in each – for Jamaica, in what he said was his last games. “I’ve just embraced who I am as a basketball player”.
“We played them already so we were familiar with the faces and familiar with their game”, USA guard Paul George said. Whether it was Kyle Lowry diving on loose balls, Paul George locking up Milos Teodesic or DeMarcus Cousins dominating the glass, these stars did all the little things that Krzyzewski has been talking about lately. The Serbs couldn’t cope with their length and athleticism and pressure on the ball, then watched helplessly as Durant sailed in for a slam and a 45-25 cushion when multiple defenders rushed out to try to crowd him on the perimeter.
When Team USA played like this in Rio, it was unbeatable.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The trip wasn’t always easy, though they arrived at their expected destination.
DeMarcus Cousins added 13 points and 15 rebounds in the title match, the USA cruising to the basketball gold for the 15th time.
Anthony was scoreless in the first half and managed just seven points in the finale, but it never mattered.
The story of the game was United States of America making shots, defending at a high level, and playing as a team. The Americans went on a 29-10 run to blow the game open. The games that we do, we do. No matter who they bring.
The Americans went on a 31-8 run spanning the first and second quarters, overcoming a 14-12 deficit late in the first quarter to take a 43-22 lead with 4:20 left in the half. Anthony, so often criticized for not winning an National Basketball Association championship, became the model for USA players. Too soon to say.
With the win, Carmelo Anthony won his third Olympic title, setting the record for most Olympic gold medals won by a single player.
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“I stand by what I said”, King said.
