The United States began its quest to win its fifth consecutive Olympic gold in men’s basketball with a convincing 110-84 victory over Nikola Jokic’s Serbia on Sunday in Lille, led by its old guard, an inspired Kevin Durant and the unwavering leadership of LeBron James.
With three gold medals in his trophy cabinet, Durant began his path to the fourth with a masterpiece: 21 points without missing, with five three-pointers in the first half in 8 minutes and 39 seconds of play and with an incredible basket at the buzzer in which he ended up on the ground.
His best ally was his ‘archenemy’ LeBron, who celebrated becoming the oldest player to play for Team USA – 39 years – with a good amount of points (21) and the total leadership of his team. “KD was phenomenal,” summed up ‘King James’ in the mixed zone.
LeBron James was the flag bearer for the United States at the opening of the Olympic Games. | Photo: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Kerr stops the initial momentum
The self-proclaimed Avengers, born in September in Manila when the United States was left out of the 2023 World Cup podium and James lit the fuse by announcing that he was signing up for the Games, began their mission by handcuffing the ‘Joker’ of the basketball planet.
Jokic, winner of three of the last four NBA MVP trophies, struggled to get a grip on the game, losing three times in the first half.
But his team was able to make an initial push (10-2) that the American coach, Steve Kerr, was able to stop with a time-out.
After receiving the first warning, their army of scorers warmed up their wrist, with triples from Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards and Durant, outside the starting five and the key to straightening out the game.
With ‘Durantula’ plugged in, Team USA achieved an initial ten-point cushion (35-25).
Halfway through the second quarter, after coming off the bench, Jokic came alive with nine consecutive points that brought the game back to life. He finished with 20.
He was defended by Joel Embiid, the Cameroonian center who promised to play for France and finally does so for the United States. The public took their toll on him by booing him every time he touched the ball and the 2023 MVP couldn’t find his way on the court.
LeBron James with the ball during the 2024 All Star | Photo: 2024 Getty Images
Team USA did not need to do anything about it, and in the second half they widened the gap on the current world runner-up.
Nor did Kerr need Pacers wizard Tyrese Haliburton, smiling on the bench, or Celtics champion leader Jayson Tatum, not so happy. They did not come into play.
James, Durant and Curry, who made his Olympic debut at age 36 with a pair of trademark three-pointers, continue to run the NBA empire.
“I was a little nervous before the game, even the anthem. The energy was great, playing in this jersey at this level, I’ve been waiting for it for a long time,” said Curry, a legend turned Olympic rookie.
LeBron James is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history | Photo: USA TODAY Sports
Puerto Rico falls to Sudan
In the other Group C match, South Sudan came from behind to defeat Puerto Rico 90-79, despite 26 points from José Alvarado.
The “refugee gang”, as the team made up of players from all over the world calls itself, made its debut in Paris-2024 with a choral cast, five players with over ten points: Carlik Jones (19), Nuni Omot (12), Bul Kuol (12), Marial Shayok (15) and Peter Jok (11).
The match began with a mistake in the anthem of the youngest nation in the world – founded in 2011 – which was plagued by violence, which provoked anger among its fans and caused moments of confusion.
2024-07-28 18:46:54
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