Perhaps the defining moment of this game – more for the atmosphere than the competition itself – took place just before the end of the third quarter. Anthony Edwards executed a sensational feint, sending Nikola Jovic flying to the floor, before sinking an easy two-pointer. As he jogged away, he glimpsed the entire bench erupting with laughter, imitating his moves in a comical fashion. Looking back, that was likely when what could have been a challenging Olympic basketball debut against the world’s No. 4 team transformed into a hilarious spectacle.
Clearly, Team USA didn’t let outside expectations weigh them down. They aren’t losing sleep over comparisons to the legendary 1992 squad, nor are they obsessing over your anxious tweets (except perhaps for KD, who is likely monitoring them). The outcome was three quarters of serious play, followed by one quarter of pure enjoyment, easily brushing aside a potential medal contender in a game that felt almost designed to generate internet memes.
We witnessed LeBron charging around the court in a frenzy, channeling that unique LeBron fire, as he dominated the game while appearing to care for his opponents’ well-being. Steph Curry, in the closing seconds, sank a no-look three-pointer, turning away before the ball even descended, leaving an onlooking security guard in awe. Kevin Durant delivered one of the most remarkable shooting displays in Olympic basketball history, all while maintaining a cheerful grin.
The essence of U.S. Olympic basketball today can be traced back to the sheer enjoyment of mass entertainment. This squad resembles a meticulously crafted American product, a dazzling showcase of catering to the public’s desires, merging everything delightful into one experience. Imagine Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers, layered with marshmallows, chocolate bits, and bacon, alongside cheerleaders and cupholders.
If this is the thrill of watching, what must it be like to be part of this potentially greatest assemblage of basketball talent? “That’s the beauty of this experience,” Curry expressed after the game. “Rekindling past connections. Competing alongside players like LeBron and AD [Anthony Davis] that I’ve never played with before. I’m having the time of my life.” Edwards succinctly added, “I got to play alongside KD, so I’m good.”
Among all the stars on display, Durant is undoubtedly the key figure, though his contribution may not always be immediately obvious. At 35 years old and already boasting three Olympic golds, he was unstoppable for most of the game, coming off the bench in the first half and hitting all eight of his shots, including five from beyond the arc, totaling 21 points.
The crowning moment arrived just as the clock hit zero, with a miraculous fadeaway shot after James had quickly in-bounded the ball with only three seconds to spare. Never before had Durant scored 20 points on perfect shooting in any half of his NBA career. Yet the unfortunate Serbians found themselves just another team realizing that international KD – even an older, recovering KD who missed warm-ups – is an entirely different challenge. During this gourmet encounter, Durant was here to feast.
Beyond his impressive performance, Durant embodies the spirit of this endeavor. A genuine national team icon, his accomplishments in the NBA are matched by his enthusiasm for the experience. He understands that this venture is truly enjoyable when it’s fun – that a rough, competitive America can undoubtedly perform and win but might struggle to fully grasp the essence of the journey. At its core, it’s not so much conquest but a quest for togetherness: exploring boundaries, elevating the energy, and seeing what can be achieved collectively. “He’s my favourite player in the world,” Edwards remarked. “I think he’s the greatest. Anytime he’s on the court, he’s dialed in.”
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Ironically, without Durant’s influence, the game might have been much closer. The U.S. started off sluggishly, with Serbia taking an early 10-2 lead, while Joel Embiid faced booing from the French crowd due to his defensive struggles (he had options to represent France but opted out). But with Durant finding his rhythm and with Jrue Holiday and Bam Adebayo playing impressively on defense, coupled with LeBron’s assertive energy, the team always held a tactical advantage.
“Discussing Kevin Durant coming off the bench speaks volumes about how talented this team is,” Curry noted. “Any combination of five from our twelve players makes for an all-star, hall-of-fame squad. We just have to play to that level.”
Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Jokic, engaged in a tough battle but struggled to maintain their rhythm as the match wore on, resulting in poor decision-making. They finished shooting 42% from the field and an abysmal 24% from three-point range, with Bogdan Bogdanovic having a notably rough game. As time goes on, it’s becoming evident that the pressure in this type of competition is not something the U.S. feels; instead, they distribute it to their rivals. Serbia was left without solutions, and it’s unclear if any other opponent will fare better.
