In what will be considered an Olympic classic, Team USA pulled off an epic comeback against Serbia thanks to the unparalleled talents of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Three players that have defined a generation of fans showed their brilliance in the unpredictable nature of international competition.
Serbia had it…and they let it slip through their fingers. All it took was of Team USA’s Generational Big Three, to haunt Serbia’s valiant effort led by the likes of Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic. On the brink of the wrong side history, gold medal aspirations continue for the United States.
THE REAL AVENGERS: LeBron James to Kevin Durant, with a clutch screen from Stephen Curry to seal the deal… See you in the Olympics Final, Team USA! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2euBvfcmyO
— Malik D. (@MalikDjoulait) August 8, 2024
This is one of the coldest pictures ever man pic.twitter.com/gPmRECWiT1
— japta (@DubsBetterrr) August 8, 2024
USA’s Big Three
Experience paid off and it came in all different flashes. In a game that required every ounce of greatness, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant showcased why they are regarded as the three greatest players of this era. Their stunning performances not only saved Team USA from a potential disaster, but also reenforced their status as basketball legends, as if there were any doubt before. It was one of the best basketball moments I have witnessed as a fan in my life.
Curry’s Shooting Clinic
Stephen Curry, who had been struggling to play to his standards this tournament, finally found his rhythm when the team needed it most. Curry’s 36-point outburst, shooting 9-of-14 from beyond the arc, kept the Americans afloat during Serbia’s early assault. His performance was just one point shy of tying Carmelo Anthony’s record for the single-game scoring record by a U.S. player in the Olympics, which was 37. Without his contribution, today would live in U.S basketball infamy.
LeBron’s All-Around Brilliance
Captain LeMerica, the ageless wonder, demonstrated his all-around brilliance with a triple-double, recording 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Only the second triple-double in Team USA history, with himself being the first to do such in the 2012 Olympics. No matter what it took, his leadership and playmaking were relentless. James’ defensive willingness was also on full display, as he took on the challenge of guarding Nikola Jokic, limiting his impact in the paint down the stretch. An insane task that was accomplished by a 39-year-old against the reigning 3x MVP.
Durant’s Clutch Gene
Kevin Durant, the greatest Olympic basketball player of all-time, had his turn to flex his Legend status and capitalized. Durant’s timely shotmaking and ability to rise to the occasion have become a hallmark of his hall-of-fame career. His mid-range jump shot after waving off Embiid’s screen could summarize the prime of his career in one play.
The performances of these three superstars not only saved Team USA from an absolute disaster, but also provided fans with an unforgettable moment in basketball history. Each doing it their own way, their collective skillsets and hall of fame careers shared the global stage.
Serbia’s Valiant Effort
Despite facing a star-studded Team USA lineup, and getting destroyed in the previous two matchups, Serbia put forth an incredible effort. Centered around the dynamic play of Nikola Jokic, who finished with 17 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds, he almost had the supporting cast play well enough to pull it off; but the will of the NBA’s best was too overwhelming. Serbia’s team shooting and ball movement were on full display, particularly in the first half. They made five 3-pointers in each of the first three quarters, building their double-digit lead behind the hot shooting of Aleksa Avramovic (4-of-6 from three) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (3-of-10).
However, Serbia’s lead, which reached as high as 17 points in the second quarter, began to slip away in the fourth. Team USA’s defensive pressure intensified, forcing Serbia into a 2-for-13 stretch from beyond the arc to close out the game. Jokic played nearly 38 of the game’s 40 minutes. They simply couldn’t afford for him not to be out there. Despite the loss, Serbia’s performance was a testament to their team’s resilience and the impact of Jokic’s leadership. They pushed Team USA to the brink, displaying the narrowing gap between Team USA and the rest of the world.
The 4th Quarter Rally
The United States staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring Serbia 32-15 to secure a hard-fought 95-91 victory. Joel Embiid played a significant role in the comeback, despite some defensive lapses early in the game. He bodied up against Nikola Jokic for nearly all of his 26 minutes, helping to limit the three-time MVP to 7-of-17 shooting. Embiid also contributed offensively, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including two crucial plays down the stretch.
The sequence of Bron right handed layup from the left, Steph 3 and KD waving off a screen to hit a midrange J...activated me like the winter soldier.
— Patrick Claybon (@PatrickClaybon) August 8, 2024
Just called his own coach a fraud in real time cryin https://t.co/A5HxTeaLQn
— RB (He don’t have internet) (@RyB_311) August 8, 2024
Saving Steve Kerr
Draymond Green took to social media during the game to call out head coach Steve Kerr’s rotations, writing, “Sometimes you have to scrap them rotations.” Despite the criticism, Kerr’s adjustments in the fourth quarter, particularly with Durant’s defensive assignments, proved to be the turning point in the game.
The performances of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James not only saved Team USA from a historic disaster but saved a piece of Steve Kerr’s coaching legacy. We have seen them share the stages of the NBA Finals but having them on the same team is everything basketball fans could dream of and more.
Heading For Gold
Team USA’s epic comeback sets the stage for a gold medal showdown against host nation France in the Paris Olympics. The gold medal game is set to tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Paris. France has been a formidable opponent in this tournament. They upset Canada and Germany in the knockout round, after losing to Germany to conclude group play. Although the stories will surround NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, France was able to advance due to the contributions of Guerschon Yabusele.
The French crowd has been electric, creating a challenging atmosphere for opposing teams. However, France will need more than just home-court advantage to defeat the star-studded American squad. With the Americans determined to continue their dominance and France eager to pull off a historic upset, the world is excited to watch an unforgettable Olympic finale.
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