The last 3 Olympics have belonged to the USA Men's Basketball team. Since their shocking 3rd place finish in 2004 the Americans have won back to back to back gold medals. Argentina took the gold medal after beating the United States in the semifinals over in Athens 12 years ago. Since then the US has beaten Spain twice during the gold medal game. 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London. Recently the US squad blew away Serbia in Rio during the gold medal game. However the United States may have caught a break playing Serbia opposed to Australia. In the preliminary rounds 3 countries gave the US all they could handle. France minus Tony Parker, young and upcoming Serbia, then Australia led by Patty Mills and Adrew Bogut. Yes red white and blue went 8-0 throughout the tournament, however deficiencies showed especially in those 3 contest that were decided by narrow scores. Led by Olympic veterans Carmelo Anthony (12 years ago he was in Athens playing for the bronze medal squad) and Kevin Durant the USA pulled those close contest out. No Kobe in Rio or Lebron or Curry. So many first timers on the team and it showed at times on offense and defense. Yet finally they put it all together in the gold medal game route of Serbia. Nevertheless the powers to be of USA Basketball will have to do somethings differently when they construct the 2020 team that will head to Tokyo.
A team that will communicate on defense and move the ball on offense.
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