Team USA narrowly avoided an upset on Thursday with a nail-biting 95-91 win over Serbia, securing their place in the Paris Olympics men's basketball gold medal game against France. Despite ultimately prevailing, it was a hard-fought battle that revealed both the vulnerabilities and strengths of the American squad.
Close Call in Paris
For much of the game, Team USA appeared disjointed and overwhelmed, as illustrated by their 17-point deficit at one juncture. The hard-earned victory prompted one observer to remark, "Team USA, despite the 95-91 win and its accompanying berth to Saturday's gold medal game against France, is a flawed-if-destined champion, with an emphasis on 'flawed.'" This perspective was echoed by another analyst who commented, "Team USA was still, for large stretches of the game, discombobulated, poorly functioning, and, yes, overmatched."
Individual Brilliance
Amid the team's struggles, individual performances shone brightly. Steph Curry was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 36 points, showcasing his offensive prowess and providing the necessary leadership to keep Team USA in the game. Joel Embiid was equally efficient, contributing 19 points on an impressive 8-of-11 shooting. Meanwhile, LeBron James achieved a triple-double, reinforcing his status as one of the most versatile players in the game.
The Serbian Challenge
Much of Serbia's near-upset can be attributed to the phenomenal play of their star, Nikola Jokic, who has claimed three of the last four MVP Awards. His performance prompted one assessment that perfectly encapsulated his impact, simply stating, "That's the magic of Jokic." Another analyst went further, praising Jokic's career achievements and capabilities, "The man could be one of the all-time, all-time greats," and noting the broader context of his achievements, "I'm not sure we've accounted for that properly — what he's done, and with whom he's done it." Jokic's mastery on the court demonstrated why he has garnered such high praise, pushing Team USA to the brink in a display that held the basketball world in rapt attention.
A Win with Caveats
While the outcome secures a chance at gold for the Americans, it also serves as a sobering reminder of their mortality on the international stage. As one commentator aptly put it, "Team USA won on Thursday. But the way they had to win should have us looking at Jokic with fresh eyes, open to the possibility he may actually be one of the greatest players in the game's history." Team USA's journey thus far has been likened to a modern-day rendition of the fabled race between the turtle and the hare—except this time the ending remains uncertain.
The upcoming gold medal game against France will demand nothing less than excellence from the American team. If they hope to capture gold, they'll need to transcend the flaws that were so glaringly apparent against Serbia and harness the individual brilliance of their star players in a cohesive effort. The stage is set, the stakes are high, and the world will be watching.