USA’s center DeAndre Jordan (left) loses his balance next to France’s power forward Joffrey Lauvergne (right) and France’s small forward Nicolas Batum during a Men’s round Group A basketball match between USA and France at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. AFP
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — The rest of the world is no longer in awe of star-studded Team USA but means to beat them, France forward Nicolas Batum said Sunday after yet another narrow American Olympic win.
France came back from a 16-point second-half deficit to pressure the high-priced collection of American talent in a 100-97 game, each team’s last Olympic group-phase match-up.
It was the third straight game in which the Americans were threatened, following close contests with Australia and Serbia.
“They are still the best team in the world, with the best players, but we can’t just step on the court and watch them because they are Team USA,” said Batum.
“That’s how it was in ’92 with the ‘Dream Team’ but now we step on the court and want to compete.”
NBA players were allowed to compete in the Olympics beginning at Barcelona in 1992.
That “Dream Team” squad, including legends Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and other stars, is considered the best basketball team ever assembled.
In Barcelona, many members of other teams sought autographs and pictures with their NBA idols, who swatted away all comers to take gold.
But the USA was bumped in the semi-finals at Athens, though it won the next two Games gold.
After crushing China and Venezuela in Rio, its play in the last three games has raised questions, although it won its group with a 5-0 record in defeating France.
“When we get on the court we can’t just watch them and be scared. We respect them but we step on the court and you never know (what will happen),” Batum said.
The Americans have admitted their newly-assembled team is still getting acclimated to the international game.
By comparison to the sometimes slower and more structured NBA style, top international play is marked by constant passing and player movement as teams work deep into their possessions for better shots.
Both the USA and France are through to the quarterfinals beginning Wednesday./rga