As the Olympic semifinals approach, anticipation is running high among basketball fans for the upcoming showdown between Team USA and Serbia. This highly anticipated clash marks the third encounter between these two teams in less than a month. Team USA has already managed to secure two victories against Serbia—one during pool play and the other in Abu Dhabi.
Central to Serbia’s campaign is Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player and champion. Jokic has been a standout player, leading the Serbian team in multiple statistical categories. He is currently averaging 19.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting an impressive 60% from the field. His influence on the court is undeniable; with him playing, Serbia has outscored opponents by 43 points. Conversely, when Jokic is on the bench, Serbia has been outscored by 12 points.
The impact of Jokic was particularly notable during Serbia’s last matchup against the U.S. The score was even during Jokic’s 31 minutes of play. However, in the nine minutes he rested, Team USA managed to outscore Serbia 29-3. This stark contrast highlights Jokic’s unparalleled importance to his team’s performance.
Adding to Serbia’s firepower is Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has also been impressive, averaging 18.5 points while shooting 48% from beyond the arc and 90% from the foul line. Together, Jokic and Bogdanovic form a formidable duo that poses a significant challenge to any opponent.
Team USA, under the guidance of Steve Kerr, is well aware of the threat that Serbia poses despite their previous victories. "We can't get lulled to sleep because we beat them twice. We have to be prepared for their best effort. We've got to think about what are they going to do differently. Jokic, I guess he could play 40 minutes. What else do they have up their sleeve?" said Kerr, acknowledging the need to remain vigilant and prepared for any adjustments Serbia might make.
Joel Embiid echoed Kerr’s sentiment, indicating that Team USA is ready for whatever Serbia might throw their way. "I guess we'll be ready for that. If that's what they think they have to do to try to beat us, then they won't hesitate to do that," said Embiid, displaying the team's readiness to adapt and counter Serbia’s strategies.
LeBron James emphasized the importance of focusing on the immediate task at hand. "Every game is its own test. No matter what happened in the first two, it's about what goes down Thursday night. So we need to lock in our film session, lock in during the day on Thursday and then come out and be ready to go," he remarked, underscoring the need for mental and tactical preparation.
The Serbian team has demonstrated resilience, most notably in their historic comeback against Australia in the quarterfinals. Trailing by 24 points, Serbia managed to claw their way back, eventually winning in overtime. In that game, Serbia posted a plus-17 with Jokic on the floor and a minus-12 during his seven minutes on the bench, once again highlighting Jokic’s critical role.
As the semifinals draw near, Team USA is not taking anything for granted. They understand that previous victories do not guarantee future success. With Jokic’s stellar performance and Serbia’s demonstrated ability to stage remarkable comebacks, this semifinal promises to be a thrilling encounter. Team USA must bring their best game to advance, fully aware that they face a determined Serbian squad led by one of the best players in the world.