This time, the U.S. men’s and women’s teams are sharing a 158-metre, 196-cabin cruise ship called the Silver Cloud, which is docked at Pier Maua and rigorously protected by walls of bulletproof glass and tight security.
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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Kevin Durant looks ready to lead a new group of Americans to the gold-medal podium.
“We know what’s our task at hand”, veteran Carmelo Anthony said. “This is business for us. We can’t take these guys lightly”, he said. “The Hellenic Olympic Committee has requested the testing of every Greek athlete taking part in the Games”.
Because of distractions and security concerns generated by the high profile nature of the men’s team, USA Basketball has been placing players outside the Olympic village since NBA stars first represented their homelands at the 1992 Barcelona Games. China’s frontline is among the tallest in the tournament – they have four players that stand 7-foot or taller – but they lack the girth to matchup with the U.S. Qi, the tallest member of China’s team, stands a towering 7-foot-2 and weighs 218 lbs, but pales in comparison to Cousins’ 6-foot-11, 270 lbs frame.
A local journalist tried to teach him the word for underdog, then asked if there was any chance the US could fill that role.
“Of us being underdog?” he said.
“I’m chasing that feeling of jumping up and down and hugging my teammates and celebrating in the locker room after we win”, he said.
Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and Team USA open play Saturday. So that game shouldn’t be close, and it might be a while before they get one – if they get one – that is.
France has five current players and two former and in Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum and Rudy Gobert, it is talent that can compete with the USA squad.
“You have to worry about everybody”, forward Draymond Green said. They qualified somehow. We can’t come out here and say, ‘Oh, we’re the United States and we’re supposed to win, ‘ or ‘We have this person and that person and we’re supposed to win.’ We have to be locked in every game. “If you don’t, you’ll get beat”.
Anthony finished with nine points and made by history becoming the first USA male to play basketball in four Olympics.
Anthony is familiar with the feeling, having been a part of the 2004 US team which settled for bronze. It’s no different than us staying in a hotel. It’s not like we’re cruising around.
“It’s not so much about us being and staying on a boat”.
He joked that the beds were small for basketball players, but it’s expected to be smooth sailing for this group.
The Americans improved to 6-0 against China in Olympic play and 3-0 since assembling last month, having won two lopsided exhibitions last month in California against the Asian champions.
“We should cherish this opportunity and keep our cool mind”, said former National Basketball Association player Yi Jianlian, who is now on his fourth Olympic campaign for the country.
Anthony is actually 32, and his first Olympic experience 12 years ago was a mostly miserable one.
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“My goal is to help lead this team to a gold medal and enjoy the process and the journey”, Anthony said.
