News World 212: Usa Men S Basketball

Showing posts with label Usa Men S Basketball. Show all posts

Monday, August 15, 2016

Rio Olympics: United States men"s basketball vs. China

LIVE STREAM: USA vs France Men"s Basketball Group A - Olympics 2016
(Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

Kevin Durant #5 and Draymond Green #14 of United States stand on the court during the game against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

USA fans react during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the United States and U.S. Olympic basketball coaching staff look on during the game against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

Kevin Durant #5 of United States cheers during the game against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Jamie Squire)

Ailun Guo #6 of China passes the ball around Kyle Lowry #7 of United States on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / STR)

An overview shows USA"s centre DeAndre Jordan jumping for a basket during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

Klay Thompson of United States makes a shot against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: AP / Eric Gay)

United States" DeAndre Jordan (6) scores over China"s Zhai Xiaochuan (9) during a men"s basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States looks on during the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

(Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

The United States Men"s team warms up prior to playing China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

The United States Men"s team warms up prior to playing China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the United States looks on prior to the game against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

Gen Li #12 of China signals a three-point shot as Jimmy Butler #4 of United States looks on in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: EPA / JORGE ZAPATA)

Klay Thompson of USA in action in the first half of the men"s basketball preliminary round group A game between China and USA of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

USA"s guard Demar Derozan scores during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: EPA / LARRY W. SMITH)

China"s Jianlian Yi (R) drives past USA"s Kyrie Irving (L) in the first quarter of their men"s basketball game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016.

(Credit: Getty Images / Jamie Squire)

Qi Zhou #15 of China goes for the loose ball against Kyrie Irving #10 and Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

China"s guard Zhao Jiwei collides with USA"s forward Carmelo Anthony during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

USA"s guard Demar Derozan holds onto the rim after scoring during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: EPA / JORGE ZAPATA)

USA"s DeAndre Jordan dunks in front of China"s Xiaochuan Zhai in the first half of their men"s basketball game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016.

(Credit: EPA / LARRY W. SMITH)

China"s Yanyuhang Ding shoots over USA"s Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins in the first quarter of their men"s basketball game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016.

(Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

Gong Luming, head coach of China, talks with Yuchen Zou of China in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

USA"s forward Carmelo Anthony works around China"s forward Yi Jianlian during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

USA"s forward Jimmy Butler goes to the basket despite China"s centre w**g Zhelin during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: Getty Images / Rob Carr)

Yanyuhang Ding of China drives the ball around Klay Thompson #11 of United States on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

USA"s guard Kyle Lowry (R) works around China"s forward Zou Yuchen during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

USA"s guard Kevin Durant and USA"s guard Kyle Lowry react during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

USA"s head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks with an official during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

China"s forward Li Gen defends against USA"s forward Jimmy Butler during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

The referee holds the basketball during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

USA"s forward Carmelo Anthony (L) holds on to the ball during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: EPA / JORGE ZAPATA)

USA"s Carmelo Anthony (R) drives past China"s Jianlian Yi in the first half of their men"s basketball game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON)

China"s centre w**g Zhelin (L) defends against USA"s guard Paul George during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

China"s small forward Ding Yanyuhang goes to the basket during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

USA"s forward Carmelo Anthony defends against China"s forward Yi Jianlian during a Men"s round Group A basketball match between China and USA at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

(Credit: AP / Charlie Neibergall)

United States" Kevin Durant drives past China"s Zou Peng, left, during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016.

(Credit: AP / Charlie Neibergall)

United States" Kevin Durant smiles after making a three-point basket during a basketball game against China at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Zhelin w**g and Jianlian Yi go for the rebound against Klay Thompson and Demarcus Cousins of United States in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan of United States go for the rebound against Qi Zhou of China in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Jiwei Zhao of China goes to the basket against Carmelo Anthony of United States in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Zhelin w**g of China goes to the basket against Demarcus Cousins and Kyrie Irving of United States in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Pool Jim Young)

Zhelin w**g of China goes to the basket against DeMarcus Cousins of United States in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Demarcus Cousins of United States dunks against China in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Yanyuhang Ding of China goes for the rebound against Demarcus Cousins #12 and Klay Thompson of United States in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Pool)

Klay Thompson of United States goes to the basket against Yanyuhang Ding and Jianlian Yi of China in the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

The China Olympic basketball team take the floor for warmups prior to the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match against the United States on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ADVERTISE HERE (Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

Demar DeRozan and Klay Thompson of United States warm up prior to the Men"s Preliminary Round Group A match against China on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Credit: Getty Images / Elsa)

Source: http://www.newsday.com/sports/olympics/rio-olympics-usa-mens-basketball-vs-china-pictures-1.12141946

Amick: USA men"s basketball has to do some soul-searching after Serbia scare

USA struggles to close out France in another tight win | Men"s Basketball | Rio Olympics 2016

Usain Bolt starts his quest for a three-peat, and it"s the last day of swimming with Michael Phelps, Lilly King and Simone Manuel competing for gold. USA TODAY Sports" Rachel Axon preps you for what to watch for on Saturday, Aug. 13. USA TODAY Sports

United States guard Kyrie Irving (10) looks on during the game against Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games.(Photo: Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports)

RIO DE JANEIRO Nearly two years ago, inside a joyous arena in Madrid where the American revelry went deep into the night, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the Team USA walked out with FIBA World Cup gold medals that had been earned with surprising ease.

It wasnt just that they were the FIBA World Cup mens basketball champs. It was that they hadnt even been tested, winning nine games by an average of 33 points with a group that was considered a B Team in the tournament that many countries consider even more important than the Olympics.

No Kevin Durant, Paul George, or Carmelo Anthony? No problem all the way until the end, when they downed Serbia by 37 points in the finale.

The underlying message, one that was debunked Fridaywhen Team USA survived a rematch against Serbia in what was its second consecutive skin-of-the-teeth game, 94-91, was that its dominance in the sport was reaching new heights again. Boy, were we wrong.

I don"t know if two years ago was easy, Irving recalled. Its just weve just got to find our rhythm. And once we do that, well be all right.

But will they?

The Australia game was one thing, a 98-88 win on Wednesday when they were pushed, pulled and nearly punked before Carmelo Anthony almost singlehandedly saved the day. This time, against a Serbian team that returned nine players from the FIBA gold medal matchup and one key addition in 21-year-old dynamo Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets (25 points), a 23-5 early lead segued into inexcusable complacency and an offensive clinic the likes of which they wont soon forget.

Yet the glaring revelation in both games, the thing that makes you wonder if that 49-game winning streak in FIBA play might come to an end, is that this group has trust issues on the court that arent easily resolved.

Ever since the Americans started using pros in 1992, it has always been the lone danger with that formula. The best players on the planet, thrown together in mixtures that dont have much time to jell, will almost always rely on what got them there to begin with: themselves.

On one side, there were talents like Irving, Durant, Anthony, George and DeMar DeRozan, who are so accustomed to taking over games at the highest level. On the other, where stagnant offense isnt the way of their hoops world, there was the kind of cohesion, cutting and chemistry that left their coach, Sasha Djordjevicdrawing comparisons between his team and the beautiful basketball of the San Antonio Spurs afterward.

As good as we are, we cant continue to keep playing like this, George said. Were still scoring 100 points taking one-on-five shots, but were too good for that. The toughest part is that each and every one of us is confident with the ball in our hands that we can make those shots. It just comes down to a trust factor, not letting one guy have that feeling that he has to do it alone."

Its officially time for some soul-searching on the Team USA front, and theres no better spokesman for that cause than George.

The Indiana Pacers star was in Spain in spirit back on Sept. 14, 2014, when they all flooded the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad court and talked about him with heavy hearts afterward. His gruesome leg break that summer had unified them in ways that are worth remembering now, providing the kind of bigger-than-basketball reminder that made the FIBA challenge seem so minor in the grand scheme. George, they all said, had earned that gold medal alongside the rest of them.

"It took us to another level relationship-wise," Irving, a good friend of Georges, told me about Georges injury that night of the gold medal game. Nobody"s invincible. But one thing we can do is come together as a team, and we did a great job of that.

Now its time to do it again.

Youve got teams definitely gearing up for us, said DeRozan, the Toronto Raptors star and one of four players on that 2014 team (along with Irving, the Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson and the Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins). Its the Olympics. Theyre coming at us with everything theyve got. Every single guy on their team, all 12 guys, understands whats at stake for them and theyre going out there and showing it. Weve got to be a lot better. We understand whats going on, (and) we understand we dont want to be in these positions again.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/12/team-usa-mens-basketball-serbia-kyrie-irving-paul-george-demar-derozan/88653122/