These Olympics mark the final games for Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is stepping down as coach after an eight-year run where he has already led the team to two Olympic gold medals, a world cup title and a 75-1 overall record. Team USA was led by Kevin Durant’s 25 points and six assists, continuing his hot streak that started in the USA friendlies leading up to this tournament. Those opinions won’t change after this performance.
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Krzyzewski is looking to become the first head coach to lead the U.S.to three Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball.
Former NBA lottery pick Yi Jianlian of China had 25 points to open his fourth Olympics.
The 57-point victory was the United States’ biggest in a win in an opening game of the Olympics since the Dream Team beat Angola by 68 in 1992.
It was the usual spectacle for a team that always draws a crowd at the Olympics, no matter who is on the roster. The Americans had five players to come up with 2 steals each.
Andrew Bogut wanted one more shot to represent Australia at the Olympics and wasn’t going to let an injury take that away again.
With the high profile NBA players coming to defend U.S. in 2016 Olympic Men’s Basketball, they have to be secured outside the already-prepared Olympic Village.
At first, the crowd filled with many local basketball fans cheered as Durant hit three consecutive three-pointers as the US charged to a 59-30 half-time lead.
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 there was no panic from the US who eventually showed their class while extending their Games’ winning streak to 19-0, a run of domination that dates back to the bronze medal game of the 2004 Athens Olympics. “That’s some that’s preached daily, and it’s something we accept” Cousins said.
“We know what’s our task at hand”, veteran Carmelo Anthony said.
Team USA might be on a break for a day before their Monday matchup with Venezuela, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any Bulls action today.
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In the third quarter, Kyrie Irving scored 12 points by shooting four-three-point shots in a minute and a half play. As the level of play required to be successful in the National Basketball Association grows exponentially, the competition in leagues outside of the United States fails to keep up. But during the first and second quarters of the game, all the players were given the chance to play. In their exhibition match against China, the US scored 34 fast break points to China’s 13.
