With the win, Jimmy Butler became the third Marquette men’s basketball player to win a gold medal at the Olympics.
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The Americans will face Serbia in the gold medal game seeking their 25th consecutive Olympic victory and 76th overall win in the past decade, but the game will mark the end of the 69-year-old coach directing the United States squad through three Olympic cycles.
National Basketball Association all-star forward, Kevin Durant said his time with Team USA at Rio helped him escape from the criticism he received since leaving Thunder for Warriors. Anthony, so often criticized for not winning National Basketball Association championships, became the model for US players.
Durant’s teammate, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, made his own piece of Olympic history with the victory, becoming the first basketballer to win three gold medals. “I knew (a backlash) was coming”. This is it for me. “I committed to something”.
“I feel really good about what we’ve done, how we’ve done it, and I feel great about Pop taking over and the relationship we formed this summer and the succession that will take place”, Krzyzewski said. “And I’m here today, three gold medals later”.
Krzyzewski, who will continue coaching at powerhouse Duke University, is confident United States of America basketball will continue to thrive, especially with Popovich, five times NBA champion as Spurs head coach, set to take over. “But we’re just going to continue to do everything that we do to stay on top”.
The quarter nonetheless ended 19-15 in the US’ favour, thanks to a first three-pointer from Durant, but they also had two rare travelling violations, and the ball stolen four times.
Durant had 14 points in the pivotal spurt, including a spectacular steal and fast break slam dunk that brought the loudest roar from U.S. fans. Kevin Durant played the entire first half, was aggressive off the dribble, and had 24 points (18 in the second quarter) on 9-for-14 shooting before the break. We didn’t move the ball well, and had no reaction as we did.
Overall, the Americans outscored Serbia 33-14 in the second quarter of action. He is the first American men’s basketball player to win three gold medals.
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At the finish, the Americans were dancing at mid-court in celebration. Kevin Durant scored 30 points and helped the Americans jump out to a huge lead by halftime.
