LeBron James made his Olympic return after a 12-year absence. Kevin Durant performed for the primary time this summer time. And the 2 most-experienced Olympians on this US workforce opened the Paris Video games with a near-perfect exhibiting because the US rolled to a 110-84 win over Serbia on Sunday.
Durant got here off the bench to hit his first eight pictures on the way in which to 23 factors in fewer than 17 minutes, with James including 21 factors, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. They have been a mixed 18 for 22 from the sphere – 8 of 9 for Durant, 9 of 13 for James – because the US had no hassle with the reigning World Cup silver medalists. Jrue Vacation scored 15, Devin Booker had 12 and Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry every added 11 for the US.
“That’s the very best recreation we’ve performed up to now,” James mentioned after the People improved to 6-0 this summer time, 1-0 within the event that issues.
Associated: Strain is one thing Crew USA apply to others – they’re busy having enjoyable
Durant missed the majority of Crew USA’s pre-Olympic prep as he nursed a calf damage, with Sunday marking the primary time he has stepped foot on the courtroom this summer time. And he was the fifth sub off the US bench, primarily the tenth man, in what was solely the fourth time in his final 1,320 video games that he didn’t begin.
However as soon as on the courtroom, Durant was his typical self, raining pictures from all angles.
Durant was the star on the courtroom, however Joel Embiid felt the warmth of French followers whether or not he stepped on the ground or not.
The Sixers heart selected to play for the US over France on the Paris Video games – and the house crowd didn’t let him neglect it. Embiid was met with boos all through the opening recreation, be it throughout pregame introductions, coming off the bench, or touching the ball.
There was some hope from French followers that Embiid would workforce up with fellow NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert to play for the host nation. The Sixers heart was naturalized citizenship standing in 2022 regardless that he’s by no means lived in France. He additionally had the choice of enjoying for Cameroon, however turned down that chance early throughout the qualification course of. That left the US, the place he additionally acquired a US passport in 2022.
Embiid has beforehand mentioned he wished to play for Crew USA as a result of his son was born there, however none of that mattered to the smattering of French followers within the enviornment on Sunday.
Serbia have been led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, who scored 20 factors for Serbia, whereas Bogdan Bogdanović scored 14.
Earlier than the event began, Serbia coach Svetislav Pešić – who coached towards the 1992 Olympic Dream Crew from the US – mentioned this model of the American squad is even higher than that first NBA-star-filled roster that took the world by storm on the Barcelona Video games.
“Very, crucial to get off to a great begin on this event as a result of each recreation is so massive,” Curry mentioned after his Olympic debut. “You solely have six of them if you wish to get to the gold and clearly, Serbia is a good workforce. They run an intricate offense and a really bodily protection. KD was unbelievable within the first half and gave us an enormous enhance, and our protection within the second half opened the sport up.”
