| Golden At Last |
By Isiah Mungai
September 13 , 2010
Facing Turkey in Istanbul Kevin Durant and the U.S “B” team proved that they had
what it takes to set themselves apart from previous U.S teams by winning the gold
medal at the FIBA World Championship. This “B” team filled with young players
defeated the host nation 81-64 Sunday taking the gold medal back home for the first
time in 16 years.
It was again Durant who led the charge posting 28 points while making 7 of 13 three
point attempts in 39 minutes of play. During the group stage coach Mike Krzyzewski
played all players evenly but during this elimination round he stuck to his top players and
Durant rarely had a break. Needing only 6 points to set the U.S record for most points in
the tournament Durant just needed 2.5 minutes and 3 shots to set it.
Playing against another good NBA player in Hedo Turkoglu it was the defense that
really stood out allowing him to 16 points but shutting down his teammates. Other than
Turkoglu shooting 5 for 8 the rest of the Turkish squad shot an abysmal 15 of 43.
It’ll be easy in stating that Durant was the best player in this tournament, he won the
tournament MVP award, but players like Lamar Odom stepped up big time recording
his second straight double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Also Durant’s
Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook had his best games when they
mattered most.
Now when they are referred to as the “B” team they can easily say that this b stands
for best.
With the victory the U.S is officially invited to the 2012 Olympics where it will be a
very different squad playing. Don’t be surprised if they players who skipped this
tournament decide to play; already Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul have stated their
intent to play.
At halftime of the game FIBA inducted its Hall of Fame class that included former NBA
players, Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis and female star Cheryl Miller.
September 13 , 2010
Facing Turkey in Istanbul Kevin Durant and the U.S “B” team proved that they had
what it takes to set themselves apart from previous U.S teams by winning the gold
medal at the FIBA World Championship. This “B” team filled with young players
defeated the host nation 81-64 Sunday taking the gold medal back home for the first
time in 16 years.
It was again Durant who led the charge posting 28 points while making 7 of 13 three
point attempts in 39 minutes of play. During the group stage coach Mike Krzyzewski
played all players evenly but during this elimination round he stuck to his top players and
Durant rarely had a break. Needing only 6 points to set the U.S record for most points in
the tournament Durant just needed 2.5 minutes and 3 shots to set it.
Playing against another good NBA player in Hedo Turkoglu it was the defense that
really stood out allowing him to 16 points but shutting down his teammates. Other than
Turkoglu shooting 5 for 8 the rest of the Turkish squad shot an abysmal 15 of 43.
It’ll be easy in stating that Durant was the best player in this tournament, he won the
tournament MVP award, but players like Lamar Odom stepped up big time recording
his second straight double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Also Durant’s
Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook had his best games when they
mattered most.
Now when they are referred to as the “B” team they can easily say that this b stands
for best.
With the victory the U.S is officially invited to the 2012 Olympics where it will be a
very different squad playing. Don’t be surprised if they players who skipped this
tournament decide to play; already Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul have stated their
intent to play.
At halftime of the game FIBA inducted its Hall of Fame class that included former NBA
players, Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis and female star Cheryl Miller.
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