Serbia’s hot and cold tendencies are the main concern for them going forward in the tournament. Early on in the quarterfinals against Argentina, with US trailing 19-9 in the first quarter, it appeared their 73-game win streak on the global stage was on the line.
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Or perhaps the US just needed the stakes to be raised.
“In semi-finals, you just play with your heart, with passion”, he said. “Sometimes we’re not going to win, like today, sometimes we won but we fought together for many years”.
The victory sets up a semifinal on Friday between Team USA and Spain, a rematch of the gold medal match from the previous two Olympics.
U.S. stymied the Argentines to just 46 percent shooting on the floor and limited them to just 8 out of 32 shots from beyond the arc.
Turns out playing hard isn’t that hard after all. “I think that’s why it’s interesting to see how both teams will do Friday”.
Argentina forward Andres Nocioni, who has played with Ginobili for much of that time, said it was also his last game and reflected on what an accomplishment it was to even get to the point of playing against the United States.
A “now” that suddenly looks a lot more like 2008 and 2012 than it does 2004.
Still is, since Kobe Bryant is retired and LeBron James is resting comfortably back in the states. Unless Kyrie Irving provided a point guard clinic by dishing the ball wall and becoming the leader in the backcourt, US is heading for a rough one in Rio.
Bryant had once been plotting to be here, before finally deciding that his retirement should be permanent.
“Every time I watch them, I wish I was out there”, he said. Players on the U.S. bench joined the spectators in paying tribute to Ginobili. “I just try to play and be free”. Then, a Serbia team with one active National Basketball Association player was one three-pointer away from taking the U.S.to overtime.
“We came out and threw the first punch”, Mills said.
Meanwhile, Spain is also coming fresh from a 92-67 win against France.
“He’s a leader who inspires others to do their best”, Aussie coach Andrej Lemanis said of Mills.
Fear of embarrassment may have been a motivating factor. Argentina won Olympic gold a dozen years ago, knocking the USA out of the semis.
“No doubt in my mind”, Kevin Durant said. “We formed part of something unique we did for our country and it’s going to be there”. Argentina was the most prolific three-point shooting team in Rio with 32.4 game in group play, but Green’s ability to switch any screen forced the Argentinians to attempt to make plays one-on-one, fueling more stops and steals.
Kevin Durant scores 27 points as Americans reach semifinals, where they will play Spain. Team USA faces Spain in the semifinals tomorrow.
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In the end, though, desire usually trumps talent. But with so many other big names and personalities surrounding him, it has been interesting to see how Durant has elevated himself to the very top of the very top. Based on their previous encounters and the fact they’re now on a four-game win streak, Spain has to feel like they have a puncher’s chance, even if Team USA has a significant advantage athletically and it’s unclear if Spain has enough players on the defensive end to slow down the likes of Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving.
