The fans who packed the Pierre Mauroy Stadium were treated to a one-of-a-lifetime experience, as Kevin Durant and LeBron James didn't miss a shot. Many fans expected the USA vs. Serbia to end in a close score, but it turned out to be the opposite. Durrant played arguably his best first half in international basketball, as he was one of those players who led the Americans to a dominating win over the Serbians, 110-84.
The basketball betting odds were on after Svetislav Pesic, the Serbian head coach, declared that the current roster of Team USA was better than the original Dream Team of 1992. Agree? We think not.
Team USA played five friendly games prior to the start of the 2024 Olympics, and South Sudan almost upset them in London. USA and South Sudan will face off later. One more time. If that friendly game is any indication, then it would show that Steve Kerr, USA Olympic basketball team 2024 coach, is still figuring out his rotation. Some fans would liken it to the Avengers, and they would point out the recent performances of their competitors.
Canada could've done better during their opening game against Greece. But Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't an easy task. Canada's three defenders fouled out. Anything can happen, and Team USA is aware about it. Puerto Rico is the other team in Group C, and the Americans would meet the Puerto Ricans, or the 12 Magnificos, on August 3. Jose Alvarado, the New Orleans Pelicans guard, saw the friendly games that USA played, and the USA vs. Serbia game, and Nelson Colon, the Puerto Rican coach, had thought of a game plan.
Most fans are looking forward to the knockout round, though.
The answer to that question wouldn't surprise the hardcore NBA fans, as Durant always shines on the international stage. He made his debut in the 2010 FIBA World Championships, where he was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He participated in three Olympic basketball, where he shone in Tokyo.
Many fans wondered if the France men's basketball national team, which defeated the Americans in group play in the 2020 Olympics, could've won the gold medal if they did better in the free throw line. Perhaps. But Durant was the top scorer for Team USA. His fitness was a mystery after fans noticed his non-inclusion in the friendly games.
But the Phoenix Suns showed that he was ready to be the first basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals. It was a miracle that the Serbia men's basketball national team was trailing by nine points at one time, and Pesic tried to find a player that could stop Durant. Or James.
Some fans wondered what would happen if Nikola Jokic was more commanding during that game. It's a good question, as some analysts figured that Serbia might have other options in the finals. The other teams aren't intimidated. Canadian fans played down their team's aggressiveness during the Canada vs. Greece game. This aggression could make the USA vs Canada game more exciting than it should be.
There are other ways.
Take advantage of injuries. Joel Embiid was reportedly sick during practice before the big game, but illness had been an issue with him. He underperformed during the USA vs. Serbia game, and some fans at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium couldn't help but notice that the Philadelphia 76ers center was booed every time he touched the ball.
It might be something else. Embiid promised that he would play for France, but he had a change of mind. It didn't sit well with many French fans. Anthony Davis, who stood out in the friendly games, was missing in the American's first game. He wasn't feeling well too. If America's strongest opponents would give their 100% from start to finish, then an upset can happen.
Be warned of the French fans. The finals of the men's 400 meter individual medley could be compared to a football match, as Leon Marchand turned what was supposed to be a difficult swimming race into a one-man show. He was way ahead of Tomoyuchi Matsushita, who finished second, and he could've broken his very own world record if he didn't slow in the last 50 meters. Marchand admitted that he became aware of the local fans cheering wildly for him.
It could happen at the Accor Arena, where the knockout round, and medal round, would be held. If the USA would meet France, then expect the screaming, and jeers, to increase tenfold. NBA players are used to it, but they're not immune to it at all. Martina Hingis can recount her meltdown during the finals of the 1999 French Open.
The USA vs. Serbia game showed that the Americans didn't come close to displaying how great they could be. They were sloppy in turnovers. There were bouts of offensive stagnancy. And Embiid's performance. The Serbian players, Jokic in particular, could've exploited it, but Pesic might be thinking of something else. The Serbian team are eying a place in the last eight, and which team they might square off in the quarterfinals. What about Jayson Tatum? NBA fans would praise his unselfishness, but he's not in the starting five. Yet. The other coaches have noticed it.
After watching the first few days of action, we can predict the quarterfinalists. They are:
Group A: Australia, Canada, Spain
Group B: France, Germany, Japan
Group C: Serbia, USA
What do you think?
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