Anthony is the first American men’s basketball player to win three gold medals, the third coming after Team USA’s 96-66 win over Serbia on Sunday.
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“I’m all for raising the bar for global basketball”, he told USA Today.
His offence was critical in a group-stage contest against Australia – who had four National Basketball Association champion players on their roster and were the first team in Rio to threaten to stage an upset.
The U.S. men have always been an unstoppable force, taking gold in 15 of the 18 Olympics in which they have participated.
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.
The Americans had a rocky start to the game in the first quarter when Serbia mucked up the proceedings by fouling the U.S.in transition and keeping the US from developing an offensive rhythm.
In Sunday’s gold medal game, Serbia actually led for most of the first quarter, indicative of the U.S.’s struggles throughout the tournament. Durant was just getting going and the United States, inconsistent in these Olympics, were about to make their biggest statement.
This team also had a pair of three-point victories over France and Serbia in pool play and were far from the dominant team that appeared in the gold medal game during most of the tournament. He’ll also retire as the all-time leading scorer in men’s U.S. Olympic play with 336 points, as well as the program’s all-time leading rebounder. Carmelo Anthony won his third gold to go with a bronze, becoming the most decorated male in Olympic basketball history.
“We got together on July 17 and we set our minds on winning the gold medal”.
The Serbians were led Nemanja Nedovic, who came off the bench for 14 points, two assists, two steals and one rebound.
“Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) sat me down and showed me some film of 2010 and he said, “I want to see that guy again”, Durant said. The suffocating defense ignited Team USA’s offense and the club pulled ahead in the second quarter and would not trail the rest of the game.
USA coach Mike Krzyzewski, who will stand down after these Games, leaves his post with three Olympic gold medals and an undefeated record in Olympic competition.
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Spain, which lost to the United States team in the past two Olympic finals, edged Australia 89-88 in the bronze medal game.
