In what looked like an effort to shut up the critics of Team USA, LeBron James made a resounding return to Olympic basketball Sunday. He had a fine performance as Team USA blew out Serbia, 110-84. This was James’ first playing time since he took his second consecutive gold medal at the London Games back in 2012. Now, at 39, with a stage set for what could have been an exhilarating campaign in Paris, the all-time leading scorer in the NBA proved that he can still pace the team and has enough moves left.
LeBron’s Impressive Performance:
James chipped in 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists to provide the spark for Team USA all night. One of the most memorable moments from the dynamic play of the four-time NBA champion was that tough, highly contested layup in the third quarter where he powered through a Serbian defender to score. “LeBron puts his imprint on the game in so many different ways. It’s not just his skill, his strength, his size, but his emotion, his confidence,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “The way he infuses our team with energy and confidence at 39 is just amazing.”
Kevin Durant’s Perfect Start:
While LeBron’s performance was pivotal, the first half belonged to Kevin Durant. The forward of the Phoenix Suns scored 21 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting. Durant came out recovering from a calf injury even more efficiently in love with the competition. Playing limited minutes did not stop him from making his impact, where fans were brought to remember why he still stands as one of the most efficient players. “It’s good to have him back out there. We’ve been seeing him work. Back at it again,” said Durant’s teammate Devin Booker. “He’s one of the most efficient players that ever played this game.”
Newcomers Making Their Mark:
Team USA didn’t only look to its veteran stars. First-time Olympians Anthony Edwards and Steph Curry had their moments as well. Edwards did so with a highlight-reel play in the third quarter, spinning and then faking a drive hard enough to send a Serbian defender flying before easily laying in a score. It was enough to bring his teammates, Curry included, into celebration. Curry broke into dance. Edwards would finish with 11 points and five rebounds, Curry with 11 points of his own, though he finally got going late, including the game-sealing three-pointer.
Supporting Cast Steps Up:
Other key players stepped up for Team USA, too. Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker turned in solid performances with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Shockingly, the star of the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, did not feature in any minute of the game—a move Kerr explained as tactically chosen. “It’s really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys. With Kevin coming back, I went to the combinations I felt would make the most sense,” Kerr said. “But the key is to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and just win six games. Jayson is the ultimate pro, a champion, and he handled it well. He’ll be ready for the next one.”
Resilience by Serbia and the display by Jokić:
The Serbians put up a good fight with their talismanic forward, Nikola Jokić. The three-time NBA MVP finished with 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds to his credits, and now people know why Serbia is taken as one of the key challengers in this competition. This Serbian side never gave up, despite the second-half charge of Team USA.
Looking Ahead:
The next challenge for Team USA will be against South Sudan on Wednesday. The Americans edged out South Sudan in an exhibition game in London before the Games—a mighty pointer to how competitive this tournament has been. With Team USA on a quest to win gold, that mix of seasoned veterans alongside some promising newcomers will bode well for their chances.
Conclusion:
A triumphant return by LeBron James, with a perfect start for Kevin Durant, was the perfect tone set for the Team USA Olympic campaign. The strong performances by the veterans, some equally nice performances by newcomers, have put this team in a very good position to take on all kinds of challenges. While preparing for the next game against South Sudan, the focus will be on how to keep up the momentum, striving to excel in every game.