Dream team shines: USA men romp past China 119-62 in Olympic basketball opener
Durant and this new-look US team look just as dominant as the ones who slammed and jammed their way to the last two gold medals
Kevin Durant and this new-look US Olympic basketball team look just as dominant as the ones who slammed and jammed their way to the last two gold medals.
Durant picked up right where he left off in the 2012 Olympics with 25 points, and the Americans routed China 119-62 on Saturday in their opening game.
The new Golden State Warriors star scored 30 points four years ago in the gold-medal game, when the Americans held off Spain for the championship. Only he and Carmelo Anthony returned from that team, but the new guys were plenty ready for their Olympic moment.
Five Hong Kong Olympians to watch in Rio
DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and Paul George 15 for the US, which is a heavy favourite to win a third straight gold and won’t change any opinions after this performance.
Anthony finished with nine points and made by history becoming the first US male to play basketball in four Olympics. He will become the first three-time gold medallist on the men’s side if the U.S. wins.
The 32-year-old veteran tied LeBron James and David Robinson by playing in his 24th game in the Olympics.
Former NBA lottery pick Yi Jianlian had 25 points to open his fourth Olympics. No other players were in double figures for the Asian champions.
Durant, Anthony, Cousins, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson started the game for the Americans, and all 12 players scored.
DeAndre Jordan shook the backboards inside Carioca Arena 1 with some of his powerful dunks, DeMar DeRozan had a couple, and in case the dunks were too easy, Irving knocked in four 3-pointers in the second half for his 12 points.
There were flags waving and fans singing, the festive scene in the stands more interesting to watch than the game that wasn’t competitive after the first few minutes.
The U.S. was favoured by about 50 points, so it wasn’t supposed to be close.
If the Americans keep playing like this, the Olympic competition may not, either.