Kevin Durant, no Kevin Love, more reason to believe Team USA’s basketball program is alive and well. Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s team might have avoided 2014 World Cup host Spain, but in a 129-92 championship game win against Serbia flexed its muscle in front of the international basketball world.
The win margin of 33 points through nine games turned said it all. The Americans are the first national team to win by more than 20 points in any previous FIBA championship event.
Team USA hit the 100-point mark just more than 28 minutes into the game on Sunday, and Kyrie Irving only needed 25 minutes to lead the way with 26 points while hitting all six of his three-point shots. Irving ultimately won the MVP for his solid play throughout the tournament and his explosion in the championship game.
James Harden’s aggressiveness was also on display, and he finished with 23 points while going 8-for-11 from the floor.
Briefly, it looked like Serbia would give the Americans a game. Serbia made sure not to get out to a slow start, building a 15-7 lead and attacking Team USA’s defense at its weakest points.
But the Americans seemed to shake out of a slump after seeing that deficit on the scoreboard — and by inserting more size by going to DeMarcus Cousins at center in place of Anthony Davis, who was in foul trouble. Cousins played his most impactful basketball of the tournament, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds to go with a steadying defensive presence.
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/9/14/6148505/2014-fiba-world-cup-champion-usa
