“We want to win, we want to send a message to the rest of the world we are here on business”, said Carmelo Anthony, a four-time Olympian in basketball. He said this past week he wanted to win another gold, a third straight, for Krzyzewski who will hand over the Olympic reins to Gregg Popovich after the Rio games. We have time off, and guys did what they did.
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But the new Dallas Maverick looked fully recovered, scoring 18 points on 9 for 10 shooting in Australia’s 87-66 win over France on Saturday. “We have played Team USA three times this summer and this is a very good opportunity for us to learn”. “I didn’t see it, but I’m guessing they saw it and their goal was just to get me the ball”.
They’re still considered the team to beat even with their inexperience, which is why Paul George had such trouble with his first attempt at Portuguese.
Durant played on the 2012 US Olympic gold medal squad but this time has a clear starring role on a team with 10 Olympic debutantes, six of them in their first global tournament. The US Women’s soccer team got things started this week by beating New Zealand 2-0 on their quest for the gold, and the US Men’s basketball team is looking to go for the gold, with their first game tomorrow night against China.
The Americans’ ferocious defense and overwhelming athleticism made it hard for China to even execute simple basketball plays, and defense turned into offense again and again.
Former NBA lottery pick Yi Jianlian of China had 25 points to open his fourth Olympics.
Every player on the USA roster got on the score sheet in the opener with four getting into double figures led by Kevin Durant with 25. But for now, this is exactly the kind of lopsided performance everyone expected out of them.
Kevin Durant celebrates a basket as in front of China’s Gen Li (12) and Warriors teammate Klay Thompson in the 119-62. DeMarcus Cousins quickly added two free throws of his own to tie the score at two.
DeRozan (USC 2009) and his U.S. teammates had very little trouble with China, jumping out to a 30-10 lead after one quarter and never looking back.
Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers star, knocked in four 3-pointers in the second half for his 12 points.
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There were flags waving and fans singing, the festive scene in the stands more interesting to watch than the game.
