United States’ Kevin Durant (7), LeBron James (6) and Steph Curry (4) celebrate after beating Serbia during a men’s semifinals basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The US Men’s Basketball team waited until the 4th quarter to start looking like the USA team’s we are accustomed to.
Trailing by 13 points going into the 4th, the camera panned to Steph Curry on the bench who had a concerned & frustrated look on his face. There was a sense that the US had been too laid back about this Serbian team led by NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the US’ backs were against the wall. Steve Kerr delivered a message to his team at the break, “Don’t panic, just keep shooting. But if we don’t figure it out, we are done.” The American’s, and mainly Steph Curry, listened to Kerr and took over the game. The Serbian’s lead evaporated within minutes of the final quarter beginning and the momentum had fully shifted to the US, shots that had been going in for Serbia in the first three quarters suddenly started hitting iron, and Steph Curry did what Steph Curry does; make shots.
Curry finished with an astounding 36 points, but even more impressive, went 9-14 from 3-point range. Curry also led the team in PT with 33 minutes on the floor. It seems the US needs to look to someone to take over and today was Steph’s day. Joel Embiid also delivered a message to his naysayers, finishing second in scoring for Team USA with 19 points.
The US will advance to play France on their home turf, the game will take place on Saturday.
