NBA Takes: Olympics Edition – USA one loss away from medal contention
After a less than stellar exhibition period, Team USA continued down the losing road. In a come-from-behind victory, France defeats them 83-76.
It wasn’t an exciting game. It felt like an ordinary pickup game. Team USA had no urgency and played as if the game didn’t matter. France came to play, and although they were behind nine or ten points in the first half, they never gave up. Another loss will eliminate the US from medal contention.
Who are these guys?
I didn’t recognize them. This was supposed to be Team USA. Jrue Holiday had arrived only the night before, and he was the leading scorer with 18 points. Kevin Durant had ten, Damian Lillard 11; Bam Adebayo added 12. Kevin Durant had to sit most of the third quarter with four fouls because, in international play, you foul out with five. No excuse for scoring only ten points. It was Dame’s first Olympic game, also no excuse for 11 points. Same for Bam Adebayo. Jrue Holiday won a championship, had a parade, was partying like it was 1999, arrived the night before, and had more points than them all.
I was really hoping for some “Dame Time” and was so discouraged to see it missing from this game. This was Lillard’s response:
“I think we have a history of dominance and maybe not always blowing people out, but we have a history of winning. And it’s not often that you see Team USA go out there and lose, especially to start.
“I think that’s why a lot of people will make it seem like the end of the world, but our job as professionals and this team and representing our country at the Olympics, we’ve got to do what’s necessary and we still can accomplish what we came here to accomplish.”
The French team
Evan Fournier of the Boston Celtics led the team from France with 28 points, including the three-pointer that sealed the game. Rudy Gobert, the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, contributed 14 points. Other NBA players on the team included Nicholas Batum of the Clippers and Frank Ntilikina of the Knicks.
What the loss means
The loss does not mean the team is knocked out of contention for a medal. Notice I saId a medal, not a gold one. I’m seriously concerned that it will not happen this time around. This team does not appear to be cohesive. Another loss, and it is over.
What’s next
Team USA takes on Iran on Wednesday.
I’ll be covering Team USA during the Olympics to what I hope will be another gold medal.