Rio-Cap: USA 94, Serbia 91 (or, It’s Not Like Coach K Didn’t Warn Us…)

For a while now, Team USA Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski has been cautioning people from the guys in his huddles to anyone holding a microphone at practices and press conferences that other countries with “years of polished teamwork and established continuity” could hang with his current collection of thrown together NBA All-Stars.

“We don’t give enough credit to the talent level on the other team,” said Coach K. “Australia is talented. Serbia is talented. They are one of the top teams in the world, but they’ve played together for a long time. We played them two years ago and had a great game and everything went well for us. All of those guys are back and I’m sure they wanted to make up for that, too. Our guys are playing as a team; they just haven’t had the experience of playing together that long.”

While the end result of his team’s matchup with Serbia on Friday evening was the extension of the United States’ win streak to 72 games and counting, it certainly didn’t finish as easily as it started. In fact, it was just the fourth time in those 72 victories that they won by five points or less. Maybe guys should start paying more attention to Coach K’s observations.

In contrast to their three previous games, Team USA got off to a scintillating start, scoring the first nine points, en route to a 24-7 lead. They looked like they were taking out any and all residual frustration they may have had from their close game with the Australians on Wednesday. Everything was clicking, from ball movement to defensive intensity, and it looked like a virtual walkover early.

Then, apparently deciding not to heed their coach’s warnings, they took their collective foot off the gas. Serbia wound up outscoring the US 83-70 the rest of the way to not only claw their way back, but keep the game close right down to the end. Only a wide open miss on a three by Bogdan Bogdanovic prevented the game from going to overtime, and allowed the Americans to escape with a second consecutive close call.

Kyrie Irving once again stepped up for Team USA, leading them with 15 points and four assists. He didn’t miss a shot until the fourth quarter, when he had a bit more trouble finishing on his ISO drives to the hoop. Still, he managed to pull off this sensational bit of wizardry (it didn’t actually go in, but counted with the goaltend…)

https://vine.co/v/5hBTKZTWT3l

Several other Americans chipped in double figures to help with the scoring, including DeAndre Jordan (who’s had a solid Olympics filling in for the foul-ridden Boogie Cousins) with 13 points, as well as a dozen each from Kevin Durant, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. Melo didn’t have quite the same shooting touch he had against the Aussies, going just 3-8 and 1-5 from downtown. KD also seemed to disappear in the second half, taking just four shots in the game… although he did get to the line a bit, going 7-8.

Jimmy Butler (nine points) and DeMar DeRozan (11 points) also provided some spark off the bench from the wings. One guy who just hasn’t been able to get it going though is Klay Thompson who struggled again going just 1-6. Overall, Thompson has shot 4-for-26 from the field, including an ice cold 3-for-16 from 3-point range, in the four games. The US could really use a hot streak from him if they’re going to finish their quest for a gold medal.

Despite the individual defensive ability of Team USA, they struggled yet again with an offense that features a significant amount of ball movement. Serbia was led by Milos Teodosic, who Coach K has reportedly talked about almost every day since the Olympics began (sensing a pattern here). Teodosic knocked down 4-7 shots from beyond the arc (some from way beyond), and dished out six dimes, including this unbelievable one late in the contest…

https://vine.co/v/5hBUuPPzeYr

In addition, Nikola Jokic, who finished third in last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year voting, came off the bench to score a team-high 25 points for the Serbs on 11-15 shooting (to go with six boards). And, before he fouled out with a few minutes remaining, star Center Miroslav Raduljica also had 18 points on a variety of dunks and layups. Serbia hung tough, not only fighting back from the large early deficit, but also outscoring the US 29-22 in the fourth quarter. If not for a cold shooting night by Bogdanovic (just 1-5 from beyond the arc, including the wide open miss to end it), they put themselves right there at the end to have a shot at the unlikely upset.

Next up for the Americans is their last Group A game, this time with Tony Parker, Rudy Gobert and Team France on Sunday afternoon. Even undefeated at 4-0, Team USA hasn’t clinched first place in the group, as the French could still force a three-way tie at the top (with Australia if they win) with a victory.

I’m sure Coach K will have some more words of warning during film sessions tomorrow. Let’s just hope he doesn’t have to say “I told you so” on Sunday…