USA vs. France Gold Medal Tokyo Olympics Basketball Game Thread

[insidehoops]

Team USA vs. France, 2021 Tokyo Olympics, gold medal game, Friday at 10:30PM ET.

Looks like the game will be on the regular NBC TV channel.

[Bay Area Baller]

Great, will tune in.

[DoctorP]

They've got to beat Serbia first :lol

Trap game?

[bison]

:applause: first time I root for USA in anything in a long time

[DoctorP]

They've got to beat Serbia first :lol

Trap game?

oopsies. i got my genders crossed. Bring on France!

[bullettooth]

oopsies. i got my genders crossed. Bring on France!

No such thing these days.

[RogueBorg]

Team USA vs. France, 2021 Tokyo Olympics, gold medal game, Friday at 10:30PM ET.

Looks like the game will be on the regular NBC TV channel.

Team USA has at least 3 future Hall of Famers (Durant, Lillard, Green) and multiple all-stars, if we lose to a team whose best player is Evan Fournier, what an embarrassment that would be. This would be a huge stain on Durant's legacy.

And you know some if not all of them will make some kind of statement on the podium during the National Anthem, I'm rooting for France tonight.

[Ghost1]

Team USA has at least 3 future Hall of Famers (Durant, Lillard, Green) and multiple all-stars, if we lose to a team whose best player is Evan Fournier, what an embarrassment that would be. This would be a huge stain on Durant's legacy.

And you know some if not all of them will make some kind of statement on the podium during the National Anthem, I'm rooting for France tonight.

:crazysam:

[tontoz]

Yeah i don't see Green (master of the triple single) as a HOF player.

[fsvr54]

Team USA has at least 3 future Hall of Famers (Durant, Lillard, Green) and multiple all-stars, if we lose to a team whose best player is Evan Fournier, what an embarrassment that would be. This would be a huge stain on Durant's legacy.

And you know some if not all of them will make some kind of statement on the podium during the National Anthem, I'm rooting for France tonight.

Batum will always be a better player than Fournier.

I'm American but I don't like this team and how they play basketball. Let's go France!!

[ScottieQuitting]

Batum will always be a better player than Fournier.

I'm American but I don't like this team and how they play basketball. Let's go France!!
Disgusting excuse for an American. Hope we French Fry these fhaggots.

[DoctorP]

USA has been reaching their potential due to Durant being on fire.

We will see.

[ScottieQuitting]

USA has been reaching their potential due to Durant being on fire.

We will see.
Tatum has played well. Lavine has been surprising on defense. Dame could be better

[fsvr54]

Disgusting excuse for an American. Hope we French Fry these fhaggots.

Disgusting excuse for Americans are democrats.

I'll continue supporting my AMERICAN team, the Atlanta Hawks.

[DoctorP]

Tatum has played well. Lavine has been surprising on defense. Dame could be better

yes, Durant has been getting all kind of support but his consistent brilliance has been the main catalyst.

[ScottieQuitting]

yes, Durant has been getting all kind of support but his consistent brilliance has been the main catalyst.
100% and shouldn’t be any other way

[Kblaze8855]

With the ability to camp in the lane Gobert can turn international games into shooting contests. If it’s an off shooting night and the defense isn’t exceptional France could win. These games look like March madness at times. A lane clogging big is a much bigger issue than in the nba.

[ScottieQuitting]

With the ability to camp in the lane Gobert can turn international games into shooting contests. If it’s an off shooting night and the defense isn’t exceptional France could win. These games look like March madness at times. A lane clogging big is a much bigger issue than in the nba.
All True.

AD, Drummond, Zion, hell even Dwight would’ve helped with physicality, length, size and GIRTH on the blocks.

It’s a shame American players have become exclusively small forwards and guards. Because it becomes problematic in the more traditional form of the sport, with more traditional forms of officiating and physicality. The way it is in international play.

I never thought I would see the day with the international product is by far the most physical one. I think by the time the 2016 Olympics rolled around, European basketball was more physical. And more reminiscent of the way the sport used to be. Before all the big league assisted entertainment freedom of movement rules, pace and space rules.

Which is odd, because the NBA play style now almost seems indicative of replicating the way euro teams used to play. And now Euro teams play more like former more physical American ball.

[Xiao Yao You]

Team USA has at least 3 future Hall of Famers (Durant, Lillard, Green) and multiple all-stars, if we lose to a team whose best player is Evan Fournier, what an embarrassment that would be. This would be a huge stain on Durant's legacy.

And you know some if not all of them will make some kind of statement on the podium during the National Anthem, I'm rooting for France tonight.

Fournier is all NBA, all defense, 3 time DPOY?

[Xiao Yao You]

All True.

AD, Drummond, Zion, hell even Dwight would’ve helped with physicality, length, size and GIRTH on the blocks.

It’s a shame American players have become exclusively small forwards and guards. Because it becomes problematic in the more traditional form of the sport, with more traditional forms of officiating and physicality. The way it is in international play.

I never thought I would see the day with the international product is by far the most physical week. I think by the time the 2016 Olympics rolled around, European basketball was more physical. And more reminiscent of the way the sport used to be. Before all the big league assisted entertainment freedom of movement rules, pace and space rules.

Which is odd, because the NBA play style now almost seems indicative of replicating the way euro teams used to play. And now Euro teams play more like former more physical American ball.

Australia coach said them being able to switch at every position is what makes them so tough. Aren't doing that with Drummons and Zion

[RRR3]

Australia coach said them being able to switch at every position is what makes them so tough. Aren't doing that with Drummons and Zion
Imagine wanting Drummond on this team :lol

“Coach” is low IQ as ****. Should stick to his old MJ vhs tapes.

[Kblaze8855]

Fournier is all NBA, all defense, 3 time DPOY?

Those things aren’t what make you the best international player. If nba accomplishments made you better internationally usa would never lose anything.

[Hey Yo]

Just pass the ball more this time around. USA was taking too many 3PA five seconds in the shot clock in their first meeting.

[ScottieQuitting]

Australia coach said them being able to switch at every position is what makes them so tough. Aren't doing that with Drummons and Zion

Shut up dude. Zion can switch. Asking everybody else on the floor. They still need people on the roster to bang down low. That’s the point, moron. Stop talking basketball, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about

[insidehoops]

The game has begun, right at 10:30PM ET.

[Im Still Ballin]

Gobert's size causing problems already.

[imdaman99]

Rudy dominating inside :eek:

[insidehoops]

So many out of rhythm Team USA jumpshots.

[Hey Yo]

US bricking

[90sgoat]

Very physical game.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Damn France is legit. Imagine if they had tony parker still on their team, although he kind of sucked as soon as he hit his 30's.

[insidehoops]

France up 12-8.

USA 0/7 threes.

[Im Still Ballin]

Yabusele has an ASS.

[90sgoat]

I'm pretty sure a lot of bricking by the US is due to the Molten ball. It's heavier.

[insidehoops]

A KD three ties the game at 15, with 1:50 left in first quarter.

First three of game for USA.

[Hey Yo]

KD only one working on offense.

[bdonovan]

Durant has broken the team offense by holding the ball; he has missed MANY opportunities where teammates were wide open. People need to recognize how poor team offense subtracts from individual offense contributions, overall.

[90sgoat]

Durant is a good shooter.

Not sure he is better than someone like KP tho in FIBA.

[bdonovan]

Durant has let up a lot of points on the defensive end- leaving his man, not defending against Gobert, etc.

[iamgine]

Seems like easy game for US. France just allowing open shots after open shots.

[Hey Yo]

Durant has let up a lot of points on the defensive end- leaving his man, not defending against Gobert, etc.

Like they said, players only allotted 5 fouls so no need to take silly ones early under the basket against Rudy....

[bdonovan]

That's what the US needs: high quality shots (Tatum in this case). Move the ball. Not just hero-ball and chucking from 3 pt line.

[bdonovan]

Like they said, players only allotted 5 fouls so no need to take silly ones early under the basket against Rudy....

The point is though he Never should have let Gobert get that position under the hoop. He is just absentminded on defense.

[bdonovan]

France is taking way too long to set up their offense....then having to rush as the shotclock runs out.

[RRR3]

Shut up dude. Zion can switch. Asking everybody else on the floor. They still need people on the roster to bang down low. That’s the point, moron. Stop talking basketball, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about
He unironically understands modern NBA better than you.

[bdonovan]

Haha, this guy taking over for the commentators (whose feed was lost) is picking it up smoothly. He's prepared.

[bdonovan]

The primary commentator Bob Fitzgerald is a KD fan (he is the Warriors commentator).

[bdonovan]

KD foolishly guarding the French guard creates a mismatch France could have exploited against Holiday, forced to guard a big man.

[bdonovan]

You can't build team offense by chucking from the 3 pt line. You can pad your own stats, but you need team cohesion, with contributions across the players on the court. It's a suboptimal approach.

[bdonovan]

Jrue Hollday is even more impressive with his individual and team D at the international level than he is in the NBA. He is stifling whoever he's on.

[bdonovan]

France imploding with turnovers.

Commentator spazzing out about Durant's dunk; what made that possible was the Adebayo pass.

[Hey Yo]

Fall right there for slam and passes it out???

[bdonovan]

Durant breaks the USA defense by LEAVING his man open, Batum wanders away and Durant calls for someone else to guard him - and ends up wide open. Loser move. These are the silent ways he harms his team. It will happen often.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

France and Australia both have superstar scorers patty mills and Evan fourniers.

Those guys are average role players in NBA. Shows how much better America is at playing basketball

[90sgoat]

Fournier has been bad.

[bdonovan]

Impressed by USA defense; Draymond, Adebayo, and Holiday. Sometimes the USA gets the rep of being 'soft'; not this unit.

[Xiao Yao You]

Shut up dude. Zion can switch. Asking everybody else on the floor. They still need people on the roster to bang down low. That’s the point, moron. Stop talking basketball, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about

switching is defense. Zion doesn't play D

[Xiao Yao You]

Those things aren’t what make you the best international player. If nba accomplishments made you better internationally usa would never lose anything.

sorry forgot that D isn't important in international ball either

[Xiao Yao You]

Gobert's size causing problems already.

amazing what a difference it is when your teammates throw you the ball down low and help you defensively

[90sgoat]

I feel like Australia and Slovenia would have had a better chance.

France feels a little too much like playing the US game, just worse.

[bdonovan]

I feel like Australia and Slovenia would have had a better chance.

France feels a little too much like playing the US game, just worse.

Agreed; that's what it looks like. As it is, France has 8 NBA players but I think most are bench players. Just reinforces the point.

(Durant with the questionable touch foul).

[Indian guy]

KD has his flaws but he's basically a cheat code on offense. Which has saved US from a bunch of sticky situations in this tournament. He got the offense going in this game too.

[bdonovan]

Wonder if Rudy thought about spreading Delta and Gamma in the NBA (US) prior to the Olympics. He does have some experience in that bio warfare area.

[Xiao Yao You]

I feel like Australia and Slovenia would have had a better chance.

France feels a little too much like playing the US game, just worse.

already beat Australia :facepalm

[bdonovan]

KD has his flaws but he's basically a cheat code on offense. Which has saved US from a bunch of sticky situations in this tournament. He got the offense going in this game too.

Not at all. Quite the opposite. In most cases, he is asking for the ball repeatedly, standing in front of other offensive players, preventing them from driving and forcing them to shoot sub-optimal shots from the outside. He is making his teammates worse with his offensive selfishness. It's the little things; you have to watch off the ball. He also is killing the ball movement; neglecting passes to open teammates. There are better 3 point shooters on the team besides Durant; he's just shooting more often.

[bdonovan]

Another bad possession with Durant holding the ball at the perimeter and then recklessly passing to someone 10 feet behind 3 point line with time starting to run down, forcing a chuck. Not the way to have a cohesive offensive attack.

[Im Still Ballin]

France need to slow it down, use the whole 24-second shot-clock. Just feed it into the post; take advantage of their size. That's the only way they're winning this game.

[bdonovan]

Great steal by Draymond; let to an easy score by Tatum. (Commentator Fitzgerald doesn't seem to understand how good D leads to easy O).

[90sgoat]

Imagine instead of 7'1'' Gobert it wa 7'3'' Sabonis in this game.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Lot of flopping from France

[bdonovan]

France need to slow it down, use the whole 24-second shot-clock. Just feed it into the post; take advantage of their size. That's the only way they're winning this game.

They had some advantage on switching, and then hitting Gobert down low. The US does not have a player who can guard him. They need a little more ball and player movement.

[90sgoat]

France need to slow it down, use the whole 24-second shot-clock. Just feed it into the post; take advantage of their size. That's the only way they're winning this game.

Eh, De Colo looks timid.

Needs to push the ball up faster and use all the shotclock in the half court.

[bdonovan]

There's a white ball handler on France, don't know his name, but he is killing the team offense. He had Gobert down low- and they need to exploit that. He is just holding onto the ball or thoughtlessly handing it off to whoever.

[Im Still Ballin]

They had some advantage on switching, and then hitting Gobert down low. The US does not have a player who can guard him. They need a little more ball and player movement.

Like 90sgoat said, they're just being timid. They need to throw the ball to the wing, clear out to the weak side, and let Gobert post up. None of this top-of-the-key pick-and-roll bullshit; too much of a turnover risk.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Gobert seems to take advantage of small ball more in Olympics more then he does in the NBA

[90sgoat]

If Euroleague was here he would claim that the US gets away with mugging their opponent.

I don't know, maybe a little bit.

[bdonovan]

SEE- they go to Gobert, they get the basket or the foul. They should have exploited this more. And he doesn't have to shoot every time, he can pass to cutters as well.

[bdonovan]

Like 90sgoat said, they're just being timid. They need to throw the ball to the wing, clear out to the weak side, and let Gobert post up. None of this top-of-the-key pick-and-roll bullshit; too much of a turnover risk.

I agree; there's no shame in going back to something that works.

[bdonovan]

Anybody have a box score?

[Indian guy]

In most cases, he is asking for the ball repeatedly

As he should. He's way better than anybody else on the team.


standing in front of other offensive players, preventing them from driving and forcing them to shoot sub-optimal shots from the outside. He is making his teammates worse with his offensive selfishness. It's the little things; you have to watch off the ball. He also is killing the ball movement; neglecting passes to open teammates. There are better 3 point shooters on the team besides Durant; he's just shooting more often.

This is where KD's teams have ranked offensively since 2011:

5th
2nd
1st
6th
10th (only played 27 games)
2nd
1st
3rd
1st
1st

Hard to buy his playing style being some type of deterrent to his teammates.

[BurningHammer]

Gobert seems to take advantage of small ball more in Olympics more then he does in the NBA

And Pop still refuses to use Javell to match Rudy up.

I think Team USA has enough on the floor and the momentum to win but it may not be as easy as it seems.

[bdonovan]

As he should. He's way better than anybody else on the team.



This is where KD's teams have ranked offensively since 2011:

5th
2nd
1st
6th
10th (only played 27 games)
2nd
1st
3rd
1st
1st

Hard to buy his playing style being some type of deterrent to his teammates.

Haha, friend, nice list of numbers. I noticed that rank went up AFTER he joined a team that has won the championship. As for his latest team, he has some help with Harden and Kyrie along with the top 3 pt shooter in 3 PT FG%.

[bdonovan]

And Pop still refuses to use Javell to match Rudy up.

I think Team USA has enough on the floor and the momentum to win but it may not be as easy as it seems.

Good call out. I wonder if Pop will be dogmatic about it or make the adjustment IF France truly exploits that option (which they haven't really yet).

[insidehoops]

HALF: USA 44, France 39.

In the first half, Kevin Durant had 21 points, Jayson Tatum 11, rest of Team USA 12.

For France, Rudy Gobert has 13 points and 7 rebounds, Evan Fournier 11 points, and Nando de Colo 6 assists.

[bdonovan]

https://www.espn.com/mens-olympics-basketball/game?gameId=401347899

Box Score for this game

[bdonovan]

Gobert 4-4 with 13 points. Might be as important a stat line as there is. France's coach and De Colo deserve blame for limiting his touches.

[BurningHammer]

Good call out. I wonder if Pop will be dogmatic about it or make the adjustment IF France truly exploits that option (which they haven't really yet).

Seeing how Team USA getting better as the tournament progresses, Pop is probably right sticking with 9-men rotation.

I mean, Spain could have abused Team USA much better with bigs they have, but Team USA ended up dictating the pace and forced Spain to go small anyway.

[dice123]

Durant has let up a lot of points on the defensive end- leaving his man, not defending against Gobert, etc.

White boy kd is scared. Not surprised white boy is shook.

[BurningHammer]

I just heard Vince Carter commentating for the first time. He is quite good.

Still prefer Dan Shulman on CBC anyway. :D

[kabacho]

https://i.ibb.co/7GcY9qy/1628297046119.jpg (https://ibb.co/MRT2XmN)

[BurningHammer]

White boy kd is scared. Not surprised white boy is shook.

Nice first post :oldlol:

[bdonovan]

Us is pressuring the ball-handler well; France is lackadaisical on that front.

[90sgoat]

FIBA rules with a bigger court = best basketball.

[insidehoops]

Wow, nice spin move inside by Nando de Colo.

[insidehoops]

Damian Lillard finally hit something.

USA up 49-44.

[bdonovan]

Wow, nice spin move inside by Nando de Colo.

Pushed off with the off arm, but still a decent finish.

[BurningHammer]

Us is pressuring the ball-handler well; France is lackadaisical on that front.

Nando is no Ricky Rubio, but he is not that bad as we just saw few plays ago.

[lakerstekkenn]

France is solid, well coached.

[bdonovan]

Stupid decision-making by DeColo - opted to pass it for desperation 3 at last moment.

[BurningHammer]

Gobert has given away fouls to Team USA like candies.

They should use two-7-footers strategy again soon.

[BurningHammer]

KD IS ON FIRE!! :lebronamazed:

[90sgoat]

Strange decisions by the french team to go away from the post up strategy.

[bdonovan]

Nando is no Ricky Rubio, but he is not that bad as we just saw few plays ago.

I must have missed it; what did he do? (US 5 steals, France 0)

[bdonovan]

Fournier and DeColo waste the first 20 seconds, and then get bailed out by a corner 3.

[90sgoat]

US team gets some ref help. Not much but noticeable.

[90sgoat]

De Colo just seems shook.

[bdonovan]

This guy DeColo is a joke; senseless turnover. He can't run this offense well enough to beat this US team (that's had experience playing together).

[90sgoat]

This guy DeColo is a joke; senseless turnover. He can't run this offense well enough to beat this US team (that's had experience playing together).

Yes he sucks

[HBK_Kliq_2]

All Australia and France did in Vegas was piss USA off.

Those were pre-season games

[Dbrog]

Durant is such a beast man. Single handedly keeping the US in the game on offense. I do wonder if this says something more about "great scorers" like booker, Lillard, and Tatum

[Dbrog]

Also love seeing bigs actually get to play big in the Olympics. It's been so refreshing along with the no calls for clearly jumping into the defender

[bdonovan]

Durant is such a beast man. Single handedly keeping the US in the game on offense. I do wonder if this says something more about "great scorers" like booker, Lillard, and Tatum

He's making it harder for everyone else to shoot. That's why Lillard and Booker have the results they do; often getting the ball with a few seconds on the clock. Or Durant standing in front of them, bringing his defender in the way, preventing them from driving. He succeeds at the expense of others if you're actually watching off-the-ball not just ball-watching the ball-handler. Durant's teammates hit them when he's open; meanwhile Durant passes to his teammates when they're guarded. Simple way to emerge as the best player on the team.

[bdonovan]

Tatum 7-11, much higher FG% than Durant. If Tatum demanded the ball every team up the court, he'd be leading the team in points. (Considerably higher % from 3 as well).

[bdonovan]

Don't like that chuck by Holiday; a contested 3. Should have moved the ball.

[bdonovan]

France will lose because of their low-IQ coach and point guard. They are letting US play small ball- getting the offensive advantages without exploiting their smallness.

[bdonovan]

Defense has been the difference.

[Dbrog]

I just don't see that stuff at all. Tatum out there dribbling balls off his own foot. Lillard has wide open shots and is shooting like shit. Meanwhile players with championship pedigree making big plays (jrue w too many defensive plays to count, Dre on loose balls and guarding players half a foot taller, Durant scoring at will)

[90sgoat]

Defense has been the difference.

Refs let US get away with way more handchecking than is typically allowed.

[Dbrog]

I don't blame Durant for going Kobe-ball a bit when everyone is cold

[bdonovan]

I just don't see that stuff at all. Tatum out there dribbling balls off his own foot. Lillard has wide open shots and is shooting like shit. Meanwhile players with championship pedigree making big plays (jrue w too many defensive plays to count, Dre on loose balls and guarding players half a foot taller, Durant scoring at will)

A minor correction but Durant is shooting at will not necessarily making shots at will. He is only 3 for 9 from 3 pt range. Holiday, Adebayo, and Tatum are all shooting at a higher %. Durant is shooting MORE, but that has to do with him demanding the ball more often. His pts are high because his volume is high, but not necessarily precision.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Middelton has been awful all Olympics. I never seen him play this bad in the NBA.

[bdonovan]

The commentator Bob Fitzgerald is too much; for years endured him shamelessly hyping kd.

[Dbrog]

Middelton has been awful all Olympics. I never seen him play this bad in the NBA.

Truth. I thought he'd be one of the guys best suited for the Olympic style too. Gritty w good overall game

[bdonovan]

Bad pass by KD; with 8 seconds left; should have hit the open man, but passed to a guarded Lillard with little time on the clock.

[LukeWalton]

France could have tied this, but they made that bad pass, then the bad lay up

[Dbrog]

It's funny the commentators not seeing clear travels. Again... Refreshing to see players not able to get away with switching pivot foots just cause they are going into a shot

[bdonovan]

Adebayo should have switched and guarded the ball-handler after that French screen.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Cabarot is the biggest scrub ever. All he does is foul. No idea how he made the nba, he won't be there very long

[bdonovan]

Excellent hustle by Holiday

[bdonovan]

Fournier had several good options including Fall with a mismatch down low but chucked a contested 3 (although then did make a 2 after the rebound).

[Dbrog]

France choking

[bdonovan]

Too much hero-ball by Fournier

[Dbrog]

I mean defense completely broken down. US easy shots

[bdonovan]

Nice flop there by France.

[bdonovan]

France is in full acting mode now.

[Dbrog]

Lol refs wtf

[bdonovan]

I don't think there was enough contact on Booker to warrant a foul. Have to be consistent as refs.

[Dbrog]

GG boys. We da bes

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Gold again for America wow seems like they will never ever lose again. USA will always have the best talent

[BurningHammer]

Damn, Team USA almost blew it.

[bdonovan]

Fournier with that unnecessarily deep 3 that completely missed all iron. :biggums:

[Dbrog]

Lol omg tho wtf us... Trying to choke at the end

[BurningHammer]

Franky's air ball though :oldlol:

[BurningHammer]

KD won't choke FTs, that's for sure.

[bdonovan]

Absolutely goofy ref call for De Colo as offensive player initiates all the contact; and jumps at the defender.

[Dbrog]

Man whoever it was who said Zion would been sick on this US team, I think they were right. If we had a big beefy dude in the paint, it coulda been a lot easier

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Gobert crying hahahahah

[BurningHammer]

Congrats, Team USA.

Congrats, KD for his 3rd Olympic gold.

Good fight, Team France.

[NBASTATMAN]

SO MANY CHOKERS... KD looked scared in the fourth but he carried the team .. Besides KD only Holiday impresseds.. HOLIDAY is better than DAME.. Sorry .. Holiday changes the game on defesne

[1987_Lakers]

Rudy crying.

[BurningHammer]

Man whoever it was who said Zion would been sick on this US team, I think they were right. If we had a big beefy dude in the paint, it coulda been a lot easier

Yeah. Other teams would adapt, but it would still be the unstoppable Zion.

[Mask the Embiid]

BEST IN THE WORLD BABY! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
https://media1.tenor.com/images/6a23d4b34a6642354ee349d88f8fed09/tenor.gif?itemid=14431258

[NBASTATMAN]

COACH POP does not impress.. He sat KD when we were up by 14 with a minute left in the 3rd quarter.. That is not the time u sit KD.. You need to finish strong... Where is COACH K

[bdonovan]

MVP: Jayson Tatum: 8-14 (57% FG), 3-5 from 3 pt range (60% 3 PT). This compares with Durant's 50% FG and only 33% 3 PT.
Tatum also had 7 RB compared to Durant's 4. Efficiency over volume.

LVP: France's coach. Gobert was 5-5. He should have gotten 3x the touches. France lacked talent; they could exploited US's small ball but the coach is too geriatric or too passive to make the call.

[BurningHammer]

Rudy crying.

He and his teammates came this far and fought hard. It's okay to cry.

[Dbrog]

Yeah. Other teams would adapt, but it would still be the unstoppable Zion.

Could be pretty fun in the future w morant and lamelo

[bdonovan]

BEST IN THE WORLD BABY! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
https://media1.tenor.com/images/6a23d4b34a6642354ee349d88f8fed09/tenor.gif?itemid=14431258

This Superman wears adult diapers.

[BurningHammer]

MVP: Jayson Tatum: 8-14 (57% FG), 3-5 from 3 pt range (60% 3 PT). This compares with Durant's 50% FG and only 33% 3 PT.
Tatum also had 7 RB compared to Durant's 4. Efficiency over volume.

LVP: France's coach. Gobert was 5-5. He should have gotten 3x the touches. France lacked talent; they could exploited US's small ball but the coach is too geriatric or too passive to make the call.

Tatum was up-and-down for the whole tournament, but he did great today.

Gobert was great too with the plan they came up with, but his poor FTs slowly worsen the plan.

[bdonovan]

I thought Jrue Holiday was the most impactful player. He disrupted France's offense, hounding the ball-handler. Great hustle play, team defense, switching. His physicality changed how teams saw the United States. France never could get into an offensive rhythm and the disruption begins with the ball handler at the perimeter.

[BurningHammer]

I thought Jrue Holiday was the most impactful player. He disrupted France's offense, hounding the ball-handler. Great hustle play, team defense, switching. His physicality changed how teams saw the United States. France never could get into an offensive rhythm and the disruption begins with the ball handler at the perimeter.

Absolutely this. :applause:

[BurningHammer]

It is so weird that the bronze medal game comes after the gold medal game.

Probably to draw Western country's viewers :ohwell:

[bdonovan]

Tatum was up-and-down for the whole tournament, but he did great today.

Gobert was great too with the plan they came up with, but his poor FTs slowly worsen the plan.

Yes he needs to get trained by Giannis on free throws and he'll magically come up as Giannis has.

Still think he could have gotten Durant to foul out if they pressed the option. Both teams scored about 1 point per possession by my rough calculation. With Gobert at 6-13 from the stripe, that's pretty close to 1 point per possession. So I don't know if it would have harmed the team. You have to used what you got but instead De Colo and Fournier though they could out NBA the best in the NBA. An entertaining game.

[NBASTATMAN]

I thought Jrue Holiday was the most impactful player. He disrupted France's offense, hounding the ball-handler. Great hustle play, team defense, switching. His physicality changed how teams saw the United States. France never could get into an offensive rhythm and the disruption begins with the ball handler at the perimeter.

I AGREE.. Jrue is on that All Star level and changed the game .. Besides KD I would say he impressed the most cuz his defense was def a HUGE KEY in slowing down FRance who actually ran an offense vs our one on one play.. Obv the USA team was not put together wisely because of COVID and injuries .. Imagine KAWHI, KYRIe, Harden, PG in place of some of the lower level guys.. Green u have to have him cuz he is one of the few guys that knows how to play smart .. Crazy how so few players can play smart ball in the NBA..

[DoctorP]

:rockon:

[1987_Lakers]

He and his teammates came this far and fought hard. It's okay to cry.

Yea, not really picking on him. What I got from his crying is how much more serious other countries take the Olympics more than the USA team, winning a Gold isn't as important as it was in 2008. I still remember how serious team USA took the Olympics that year after years of losing in international play, I feel like as the years have passed, playing in the Olympics isn't a huge deal like it was 12-13 years ago.

[1987_Lakers]

I thought Jrue Holiday was the most impactful player. He disrupted France's offense, hounding the ball-handler. Great hustle play, team defense, switching. His physicality changed how teams saw the United States. France never could get into an offensive rhythm and the disruption begins with the ball handler at the perimeter.

Jrue was super impressive this Olympics, outplayed Lillard. Also stats won't show how important Draymond was down the stretch in this game, made some key plays that won't show up in the stat sheet.

[BurningHammer]

Yea, not really picking on him. What I got from his crying is how much more serious other countries take the Olympics more than the USA team, winning a Gold isn't as important as it was in 2008. I still remember how serious team USA took the Olympics that year after years of losing in international play, I feel like as the years have passed, playing in the Olympics isn't a huge deal like it was 12-13 years ago.

Team France also did something nobody did in many many years, giving Team USA a loss in the Olympics. That itself is a feat and they should be proud with the well-earned silver.

International stars will spark it for the rest of the world. Luka and maybe Giannis if Team Greece suddenly entering its Golden Generation (they won't).

[Xiao Yao You]

Gobert seems to take advantage of small ball more in Olympics more then he does in the NBA

you mean he has teammates and a coach that get him the ball and take advantage of it and teammates that help him defensively?

[Xiao Yao You]

And Pop still refuses to use Javell to match Rudy up.

I think Team USA has enough on the floor and the momentum to win but it may not be as easy as it seems.

because Gobert has owned McGee and he's an idiot

[Xiao Yao You]

USA doesn't win without Durant carrying them

Game was one in the 2nd when Gobert was on the bench way too long

[nayte]

USA doesn't win without Durant carrying them

Game was one in the 2nd when Gobert was on the bench way too long

Agreed with both. Rudy lead his team maybe Utah should run a few more plays for him

[Manny98]

KD cemented GOAT on international level :bowdown::bowdown:

[nayte]

He did all the heavy lifting v Spain , Australia and France. Dude was waving off all stars .lol.
Alot of them were scared till he got them the leads and they could shoot without the pressure.

[Spurs m8]

KD cemented GOAT on international level :bowdown::bowdown:

Truth

[nayte]

Overall I think Oscsr Schmidt is the goat Olympic player. He used to ball back in the day

[Xiao Yao You]

Agreed with both. Rudy lead his team maybe Utah should run a few more plays for him

good luck gettinig the ball from Mitchell and Clarkson

[kawhileonard2]

Truth

I think had he won from college it would be true.

[ScottieQuitting]

Man whoever it was who said Zion would been sick on this US team, I think they were right. If we had a big beefy dude in the paint, it coulda been a lot easier
That was me.


I thought Jrue Holiday was the most impactful player. He disrupted France's offense, hounding the ball-handler. Great hustle play, team defense, switching. His physicality changed how teams saw the United States. France never could get into an offensive rhythm and the disruption begins with the ball handler at the perimeter.
Agreed. Because defense wins. In any form of the sport. Lillard was unimpressive for much of the tournaments. When Lavine is more important defensively than you, then you’re nonexistent. Only times we lost is when we didn’t have some capable perimeter defenders. Lillard besides a few shots here and there also missed two late game free throws that even gave France an opportunity down the stretch.

[Xiao Yao You]

Lillard was playing hurt

[Xiao Yao You]

https://kslsports.com/465631/fiba-names-rudy-gobert-to-mens-all-star-five-for-tokyo-olympics/

and he was not even one of their best players. A mere role player! :lol

[ScottieQuitting]

Lillard was playing hurt

No excuses. He was still starting. He still on occasion hit other shots. You should be able to make a couple key late game free-throws. Kobe went to the line and made two of them with a torn Achilles.

[Xiao Yao You]

NBA Central: Odds for DPOY next season: 1)Rudy Gobert – 3/1 (https://*********.com/social/) 2)Ben Simmons – 4/1 3)Giannis Antetokounmpo – 7/1 4)Anthony Davis – 8/1 5)Joel Embiid – 9/1 6)Draymond Green – 12/1 7)Bam Adebayo – 14/1 7)Myles Turner – 14/1 9)Jrue Holiday – 18/1 10)Matisse Thybulle – 20/1 Via @betonline_ag
– via Twitter TheNBACentral (https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral)

[kawhileonard2]

If Gobert is the best Defensive player then it shows how easy this era is.

[Axe]

Baguette biyombo! :lebronamazed: