The end of Ginobili’s global career has been marked, and he has stolen the limelight despite the USA coming out as victorious over Argentina.
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On Wednesday, Ginobili, a longtime San Antonio Spur but also the face of Argentine basketball, was moved to tears after his team lost in the quarterfinals to Team USA, 105-78.
Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony are fantastic scorers, and their one-way skills still matter. REUTERS/Jim Young FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
The victory advanced the USA team to a “final four” game against Spain on Friday.
US forward Carmelo Anthony, who’s inching closer to a country-record third gold medal, recognized Spain’s struggles early but still considers the rival a formidable opponent.
Such has been the US dominance that even some of the Spanish players give themselves little hope of pulling off what would be one of the biggest upsets in Olympic Games history. They trailed by as many as 10 points early (19-9), but closed the first quarter on a 16-2 run to take a 25-21 lead. Fans were expecting two powerhouse teams USA and Spain to battle for Gold, but they meet a little early for the Semifinals USA vs. Spain on Friday, 19th August 2016 at in the Carioca Arena, Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
Almost written off after two losses to open the Rio Games, Spain is back in the men’s basketball semifinals for the third straight time after a 92-67 rout of Parker and France. “Jerry Colangelo took over and they decided that we are going to be a team of guys who want to be here and not necessarily the 12 best players, but the guys who fit together and play roles”.
After all the talk about how Australia, Serbia and France had pushed the Americans all the way until the end of their last three wins, this was different.
“Tonight is the Paul George we see in the NBA”, Collins said.
“I’ve learned more in the last 11 years doing this than I ever learned in the 30 years previous about the game, people and preparation by being in this environment”, Krzyzewski said. He also had seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. They won all 5 games in preliminary play, coming out on top of group A, but not without a couple close calls along the way.
“I’m not going to say the exact words (they used)”, said Ginobili, referring to the gesture of respect from Anthony and Krzyzewski. “They have world class players”.
Kevin Durant looked every bit the MVP he has been in the NBA, scoring 27 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out seven assists to help United States of America basketball come up with an easy win over Argentina. He plays all positions and with the heart and commitment that he’s had for his country, no one could have represented his country at a higher level or better than Manu Ginobili.
The US and Spain played in the preliminary round and the USA won that one by 40.
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“This is where we wanted to be”, Kevin Durant said. “It’s just basketball. I don’t think you can overthink that”.
