Krzyzewski’s team, still adjusting to the slightly smaller basketball used in global play and to an array of different rules, overcame a slow shooting start and an early 7-7 tie to lead by 25 points halfway through the second quarter. He showcased every aspect of his game: high release, gorgeous shot, ability to put it on the floor, and razor sharp court awareness as he found teammates over and over again for easy shots.
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The United States opened its five-game exhibition schedule by blowing past Argentina by 37 points Friday in Las Vegas, and China provided no better competition.
Klay Thompson, another Warriors star, added 17 points with four 3-pointers.
On Sunday night, Durant was part of a Team USA exhibition game against China and while most of the players received plenty of support, Durant drew boos from portions of the crowd.
Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility.
The Chinese National Team was led by former NBA-er Yi Jianlian, who poured in 18 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes of action, leading the team in all three categories.
On another interesting note, Kevin Durant, who defected to the 73-9 Warriors last month, was booed by the sellout crowd at Staples Center, though he personally said he did not notice the booing before the game. “Our offense and our athleticism, that’s a little bit too much for them”. It also showed that there is plenty of talent among a group of players that seem to want to play well for each other and their country despite the absence of Olympic stalwarts Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Durant would find DeMarcus Cousins on their next offensive possession for a three-point play, and follow that up with back-to-back three-pointers of his own to ignite an 11-0 run for Team USA.
Team USA moved to 2-0 in pre-Olympic play after defeating China 106-57 on Sunday night.
It’s no shock that Clippers and Lakers fans would boo Durant – considering that Durant turned down both teams – when they got the chance.
“They all impressed me because I like when people play hard and they play together”, Krzyzewski said.
While he came off the bench after starting against Argentina, he still played 16 minutes, which as many as Sunday’s starting point guard Kyle Lowry. We’ll see. I don’t know what to expect.
“We should have won”, he said, “but the way we won was excellent”. “We got better. We shared the ball even better”.
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Meanwhile, China will still rely on the former National Basketball Association player Yi Jianlian and two of 2016’s National Basketball Association draft picks Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin this Tuesday to avenge the earlier defeat.
