Duke Blue Devils: Mike Krzyzewski Coaches Team USA to Gold Medal
Duke Blue Devils Coach Mike Krzyzewski won gold in his last rodeo with Team USA basketball.
USA Basketball finally dominated an opponent in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Simply stated, Team USA saved the best for last. Yesterday, Team USA defeated Serbia 96-66. It could not have gotten there without two Duke Blue Devils and some big named friends.
Kevin Durant led Team USA with 30 points. Durant’s fellow Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson was third in points on Team USA with 12 points. Demarcus Cousins led Team USA with 15 rebounds, while being the second-leading scorer with 13 points; the only double-double for Team USA in the championship round. Kyle Lowry led Team with five assists.
Former Duke Blue Devil point guard Kyrie Irving four points, four assists and three rebounds in this game. Although he did not dominate during the championship game, he did not have to do so. Team USA was in full control for the majority of the game.
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During the second quarter, Team USA stretched their lead to double digits. The lead allowed Irving to savor the moment with his college head coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Often referred to as ‘Coach K,’ both Irving and Krzyzewski finally had the chance to enjoy a championship together.
Yesterday’s game marked two farewells to individuals who dedicated many years to Team USA. After the game, Carmelo Anthony announced that he would retire from Team USA. Anthony played in the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Anthony became the all-time leading scorer and all-time leading rebounder during Olympic play for Team USA. Moreover, Anthony became the first player to play in four separate Olympics for Team USA and he became the first basketball player to win three gold medals.
The other farewell belongs to Team USA head coach Krzyzewski. Krzyzewski has coached Team USA during the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Similar to Anthony, Krzyzewski will be passing the torch to someone else for the 2020 Olympics. Both individuals set a precedent for others to follow with their commitments to Team USA close to decade. In Anthony’s case, it was over a decade.
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Krzyzewski allowed the Team USA players to play their own style of basketball. Many people criticized Krzyzewski for the manner in which Team USA won games.
They did not blow teams out by 20 and 30 points regularly like the 1992 Dream Team did. Despite overcoming several deficits throughout the 2016 Olympics, Team USA managed to win close games in addition to occasional blowouts (i.e. gold medal game versus Serbia).
Nevertheless, Team USA remains the team to beat in international basketball. Krzyzewski deserves a lot of credit for commitment, dedication and hard work. The next coach for USA Basketball has big shoes to fill in preparation for the 2020 Olympics.