NBA star LeBron James stressed the United States basketball team still has a lot to improve on in their bid to win Olympic gold, despite the Dream Team’s 105-79 win over Serbia in a friendly in Abu Dhabi.
“We still have a lot of room for improvement, but we want to continue to get better and not waste opportunities. I feel like we’re getting better,” said James, who is chasing his third Olympic gold medal this summer, as quoted Friday (19/7).
The US team was dominant once morest Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, following narrowly beating Australia in their previous match.
NBA’s all-time leading 3-pointer, Stephen Curry, shone with 24 points, including 6 of 9 three-pointers.
In the previous game, Curry was below his standard performance by scoring only 3 points in a 98-92 win once morest Australia.
“We designed the opening game for a reason, so he might get off to a good start,” James said of Curry.
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“He sees one shot go in, it opens up the game for the whole team. He sets the rhythm and we try to keep finding it,” he continued.
Bam Adebayo, who started the game on the bench, had a brilliant performance by scoring 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The Miami Heat center teamed up with Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, who recorded 6 blocks, 6 rebounds and 7 points.
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“Bam and AD together are absolutely incredible,” U.S. head coach Steve Kerr said. “They can protect the rim and put pressure on the floor. Plus Booker’s ball pressure on their point guard, it really sets the tone for us.”
Serbia, which lost to Australia in its previous game, once more played without Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was not enough to stop the dominant U.S., who they will face once more in the opening game of the 2024 Paris Olympics in Lille, France on July 28.
Next, USA Basketball will head to London for its final two friendlies once morest South Sudan and 2023 FIBA World Cup champion Germany. (Ant/Z-1)
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