Rio-Cap: USA 105, Argentina 78 (or, The End of A Golden Age)

While Team USA proved that it’s golden aspirations are very much alive with their convincing win over Argentina in the quarterfinals of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, they also brought an end to a golden age of international hoops. In a farewell performance for at least two members of Argentina’s “Golden Generation” — namely Manu Ginobili (39) and Andres Nocioni (36), who retired from international play following the game — the Argentinians gave it their best shot for the first ten minutes before succumbing to an American team that came alive for the rest of the game.

Buoyed by the emotions produced from their raucous almost-home contingent of fans, Argentina ran a virtual layup line to the hoop for much of the early first quarter, building a 10 point lead. Led by the diminutive but ultra quick guard, Facundo Campazzo (who scored 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter and seemed to get by Kyrie Irving at will), and the third member of the Golden Generation, Luis Scola (who might still continue to play for the team), the Argentinians had a ton of momentum and the crowd behind them.

Then, Coach Mike Krzyzewski subbed in his defensive unit including Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry to put the clamps on Argentina, and Kevin Durant went berserk on the offensive end. KD scored or assisted on 19 of Team USA’s 25 points in the opening frame, and wound up with a game high 27 points on a scintillating 9-13 shooting (7-9 from downtown). He also chipped in seven boards, six assists and two steals, all while looking like the formidable force we sort of expected him to be in these Olympic games. Coach K also brought DeMarcus Cousins off the bench for the first time in the tournament (opting to start DeAndre Jordan instead), and Boogie responded with probably his best game thus far as he dominated the Argentinian front line with 15 points.

The US eventually caught and surpassed Argentina to end the quarter with the lead, 25-20, but they were just warming up. Following their 10 point deficit, they embarked on a 40-8 run (27-2 at one point) to take a 16 point lead into halftime. The second half was fairly academic, as the Americans refused to take their foot off the gas on their way to a convincing 27 point victory. Instead, it became a time for the South Americans in the crowd to celebrate the remaining members of the team that once shocked the USA and the world by capturing gold in the 2004 Olympic games.

The U.S. rout has dissolved into Argentina and Brazil fans trying to drown each other out with soccer chants. #Rio2016

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) August 17, 2016

Team USAers on the bench are in awe of the raucous serenade Argentina heroes Manu/Scola/Nocioni are getting from their amazing fans down 25

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 17, 2016

Besides KD and Cousins, Paul George had a stellar game, pouring in 17 on 8-14 shooting with eight boards and three steals. Despite his rough first quarter on defense, Kyrie returned and seemed more galvanized, eventually scoring 11 points with four boards and three dimes, while getting to the line and getting a little sweet revenge on the Argentinian guards…

https://vine.co/v/5M7gTBBAh7H

With the win, Team USA moves on to the semi-finals and another old adversary in Spain on Friday. But aside from maybe the most definitive victory for the Americans to date, the night truly belonged to the celebration of the amazing almost two decade run of this Argentinian team. After the game, Coach K reflected on facing them through the years…

“First of all, we beat an outstanding … not just a team. They’re what I call a program. An amazing culture. Congratulations to Argentina and the magnificence they’ve shown the world for the last almost two decades.”

Ginobili, who scored 14 points with seven assists in his final international game, was awarded the game ball, and seemed truly emotional and humbled by the reaction of the crowd. He also got hugs, handshakes and congratulations from Coach K, Melo and the rest of the Americans.

“I’m not going to say the exact words [they told me],” Ginobili said. “They were just very cool and important displays of affection and respect.”

It’s kind of unbelievable that we’re seeing the end of not only Argentina’s Golden Generation with this game, but also the end of a true golden age of international basketball with some of the other greats who are hanging it up after these Olympics…

No more Nowitzki, Gasol, Parker or Ginobili in FIBA tournaments after this one. Hope you have enjoyed these 15 years.

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 17, 2016