By Mark Bacon
Despite seeing the U.S. men's basketball team twice in pre-Olympic exhibition games, China was no match for Team USA in their Rio opener. The U.S. men’s team began their quest for Olympic gold in dominating fashion by defeating China 119-62 on Saturday
Carmelo Anthony may be the leader, but Kevin Durant was the killer. If you’re into the details of a 57-point margin of victory, know that Team USA started this game looking sluggish and sloppy. Rushed jumpers turned into missed jumpers, a handful of turnovers and China was getting a surprising number of open looks. The Americans were winning with size, foul shots and fast breaks. Even after a first quarter that ended with a 20-point lead, there was very little rhythm for the U.S. team.
Then Kevin Durant heated up. He hit back-to-back threes in the second quarter, and that’s when Team USA looked as dominant as everyone expected. KD’s shooting alone made the whole offense more coherent. Durant kept it going in the second half and finished with 25 points, including 5-of-8 on threes. He was open for most of those looks, but then, at 6’ 11” with 30-foot range, he’ll likely never really be guarded in these Olympics. Even on Team USA, KD is a whole different level of talent.
Kevin Durant and the new-look U.S. Olympic basketball team look just as dominant as the ones who slammed and shot their way to the last two gold medals. Only he and Carmelo Anthony returned from the 2012 team, but the new guys were plenty ready for their Olympic moment.
DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and Paul George 15 for the U.S., which is a heavy favorite to win a third straight gold and won't change any opinions after tonight.
Tougher competition might come later, but it should be an easy start for the Americans. They play Monday against Venezuela, another team they beat easily in exhibition play.
Anthony finished with nine points and made history by becoming the first U.S. male to play basketball in four Olympics. He will become the first three-time gold medalist on the men's side if the U.S. wins. Melo tied LeBron James and David Robinson by playing in his 24th game in the Olympics.
The Americans beat the Chinese twice in exhibition play by scores of 106-57 and 107-57, and this one was even less competitive. 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.
The Chinese got on the board first with a pair of free throws, and it was tied at 4 after a basket by Yi. Then it was nine straight points for the Americans, who closed the first quarter with a 26-6 burst to lead 30-10.
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.
China just lost three games by 156 points. It all makes the American team much harder to gauge. The issue isn’t concern, but curiosity. Not every team in Rio will be this overmatched from the start. Let’s see what Team USA looks like when they actually have to pay attention. The U.S. was favored by about 50 points, so it wasn't supposed to be close. (Vegas knows things…) If Team USA keeps playing like this, the Olympic competition may not be, either.
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