Pregame: The United States and China face off for the third time in the last few weeks, as the Chinese men were part of USA’s warm-up exhibition tour last month before kicking off play Saturday at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.
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“A lot of those guys have already won gold medals before, and those guys have their reasons”.
But playing with the USA Basketball Olympic Team, Anthony usually isn’t the primary option on offense. The new villain of the NBA Kevin Durant led the team by scoring the first 10 points of the game, which incidentally was KD’s first game at his new home court of Oracle Arena. “It doesn’t matter what anybody says, I got nothing but confidence in everybody here, and I feel as though we have a great chance to do something special”.
Durant made three 3-pointers in the first half as the US opened a 29-point halftime lead and coasted.
U.S. overcame a sluggish shooting start to win easily, beating China 119-62 in their opener behind a scorching defensive effort.
Anthony, who had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal and one block, tied LeBron James and David Robinson for most Olympic games played for the United States with 24.
If team U.S. wins the gold medal in Rio, Anthony will become the most successful American in the history of Olympic basketball.
The Americans beat the Chinese twice in exhibition play by scores of 106-57 and 107-57, and this one was even less competitive. Only four other players – DeMar DeRozan, DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving – have played global tournaments for Team USA.
“We should cherish this opportunity and keep our cool mind”, commented Yi Jianlian, a former National Basketball Association player who is on his fourth Olympic journey.
Carmelo Anthony says his USA men’s basketball teammates need to accept responsibility and move on after reports that three players visited a legal brothel in Rio de Janeiro.
While the Team USA is missing some huge superstars, they are still the big favorites to win it all in the 2016 Rio Olympics. If they keep playing like this, the Olympic competition may not be, either. “We have played Team USA three times this summer and this is a very good opportunity for us to learn”.
“I know it is going to be different here”, Durant said.
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“I don’t think they’ve gone back to their boat or apartment or wherever they’re staying thinking they can’t beat us”, the coach said.
