USA quintet, doubted, has the last word

Gold medallists USA’s forward Jimmy Butler, USA’s guard Kevin Durant, USA’s centre DeAndre Jordan, USA’s guard Kyle Lowry, USA’s forward Harrison Barnes, USA’s guard Demar Derozan, USA’s guard Kyrie Irving, USA’s guard Klay Thompson, USA’s centre DeMarcus Cousins, USA’s guard Paul George, USA’s forward Draymond Green and USA’s forward Carmelo Anthony pose after the final of the Men’s basketball competition at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON

THE USA Olympic men’s basketball team was performing below par but, as a result of its overwhelming gold-medal win over tough Serbia, the momentary dip in the American game—which touched off worldwide apprehension—was taken as nothing more than a prank yesterday.

In fact, the Americans had big fun crushing Serbia that only table officials were observed seriously taking note of the final baskets in the closing minutes of the ludicrously one-sided championship match.

Spectators headed for the exit before the concluding seconds ticked, while the Americans celebrated victory ahead on the bench.

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The US Olympians, who started locked at 11-all, rolled up their sleeves after a few minutes of seemingly tight action to take the half, 52-29, en route to a plastering of Serbia which they had barely beaten (94-91) in the Rio basketball quarterfinals.

Before that suspenseful win over Serbia last week, the US team also suffered anxious moments in the hands of Australia, and had needed to pull away late for final ten-point margin, 98-88.

Wrote the Associated Press: “The team that usually wins big is barely winning. An unheard of two straight close games for the US Olympic men’s basketball team have created a question that few dared consider a few days ago.”

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Is the best team in the world not good enough for the gold?

Did the USA undermine opposition in the Rio Olympics basketball championship?

Yesterday, the Americans, instantly mighty all over, had the last word: Their brand of basketball remains the standard for supremacy and excellence in the world.

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Of course, there had been reasons to doubt.

For starters, the US national men’s squad was hit hard by player withdrawals. The Americans, the AP continued, were still putting together a roster right up until their deadline.

Instead of bringing experienced Olympians, the AP added, they have 10 rookies who look more like lost tourists when it came to the ways of international basketball.

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Something was seriously lacking, the US national team could be headed for serious trouble?

There were also fears the 2016 US men’s basketball team could end up following the footsteps of the 2004 American national squad that lost to Argentina and settled only for the Olympic bronze in Athens.

Odd how the Americans had refused to be stressed, and even cancelled practice on the eve of the gold-medal match.

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Now, they may have to ask Kevin Durant, who spread a total of 24 points in the first half alone—from outside, the middle, inside—and turned the Olympic hardwood into his personal playground, what took them long to flash their patented brand of great, dominant basketball.

Wasn’t this the end part of the slow-burning private script?

There may be no reason for the misplaced fears, after all.